ABSTRACT
The opposition of Cato and the extreme optimates to Caesar was not irrational, even if it was shortsighted. Having surprised Cato and his other optimate enemies by foregoing a triumph to run for the consulship in 60 BC, Caesar used every strategy, including bribery, to win. Caesar's optimate enemies, even the incorruptible Cato, decided to raise their own bribery fund to ensure the election of Cato's son-in-law M. Calpurnius Bibulus. Caesar and his allies needed to strengthen their hand as much as possible after the election of Bibulus. Probably it was only then that Caesar persuaded Pompey and Crassus to cooperate together in creating the strong coalition. Then late in 46 BC, Caesar embarked with eight legions for Spain. There, Pompey's two sons, Gnaeus and Sextus, plus Labienus, who had escaped from Africa, had raised a major revolt. Failing to draw the Pompeians into a battle by attacking their fortified towns, Caesar finally caught up with them at Munda.
