ABSTRACT
Sometimes the Romans are seen as a rather boorish people who were better known for their roads than for their culture. It was customary for the Senate to discuss all significant affairs of state before they were brought to attention of the Assembly. The Roman army had originally been citizen army composed largely of farmers, but as the state grew, wars became more prolonged and more distant, and more recruits were needed. The focus of authority was not the Senate so much as commander and his personal influence and ambition. Caesar's Commentaries, written some time after the events in question, is the main record the people have of these particular campaigns. Crassus, in an attempt to emulate his militarily successful colleagues, had already lost his own life and an army of 30,000 in calamitous campaign against the Parthians in 53 BC, and it was now time for a trial of strength between his senior partners.
