What were the major political factions in Rome during Julius Caesar's time?

What were the major political factions in Rome during Julius Caesar's time?

During Julius Caesar's time, the major political factions in Rome were the Optimates and the Populares. The Optimates, also known as the "best men," were the conservative aristocrats who favored maintaining the traditional power structure and privileges of the Senate. They represented the interests of the wealthy patricians and sought to preserve the authority of the Senate over the Roman Republic.

On the other hand, the Populares, meaning "favoring the people," were a more populist faction that aimed to appeal to the common citizens and gain their support. They advocated for reforms that would benefit the lower classes, such as land redistribution and increased rights for the plebeians. The Populares often challenged the authority of the Senate and sought to increase the power of the popular assemblies.

These two factions were in constant conflict, with the Optimates fearing the rise of the Populares and their potential to undermine the traditional power structure. Julius Caesar himself was a prominent member of the Populares faction and used his political influence and military success to challenge the authority of the Optimates. This eventually led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Caesar's adopted heir, Augustus.