From 51 to 45 BCE during his conquest of Gaul, Caesar has been really busy in preserving and improving his position at home. "He used part of his growing wealth from Gallic loot to hire political agents in Rome." Prompey and Crassus on the other hand tried to enlarge their power as well, but some terms were greater than others of course. "Pompey was successful in 53, when he was elected "consul without colleague", yet he yielded dictatorial authority. Crassus, however was unfortunate after his consulship, he became the governor of Syria with special prerogatives, which was defeated by the Parthians, who lived in modern Iraq." Both Pompey and Crassus had murdered the Roman general by giving him what he had desired most, "gold; the precious metal was liquified and poured into his mouth." There position was better than Caesar's, yet if the latter obeyed, "he was no longer immune to prosecution." Cato had charged him with war crimes in Germany, and many people remembered Caesar's first consulship and the Spanish War. "If Caesar refused to obey, he would be declared an enemy of the state. The Senate would be forced to appoint a commander with plenary powers, and it was not hard to see who this general would be." After this, Pompey irresolutely veered further and further away from Caesar, until the breach finally came. "Pompey then found himself committed to the nobility's side, though he and the nobility never trusted each other." Later on around 49 the Senate demanded Caesar to hand over his ten legions to a new governor, however, Caesar heard the news in Ravenna and knew that he had to chose between prosecution or rebellion. Preferring the dignity of war over the humiliation of a process, yet Caesar chose to rebel, quoting his favorite poet Menander; "the dies is cast." Caesar's army then advanced to Rimini, where he could control the passes across the Apennines. By doing this he crossed the river Rubico, to invade Italy and to provoke the Second Civil War. Caesar's perspectives did not look great since nine of his legions were in Gaul. However, in the end the Senate made a terrible mistake. "That the believed issue was between a rebel and the legitimate rulers, and had expected that the towns of Italy would send troops in defense of the authority of the Senate and the Roman People's liberties. However, Italy was skeptical about its champions and showed no enthusiasm to defend the constitution." Therefor Caesar's soldiers had everything depended on this one campaign, but if they failed they would never receive their pension. Unable to raise armies, the Senate was helpless. After a few weeks the start of the Civil War, Caesar has controlled Italy and has hunted his enemies to the heel of Italy, from where Pompey and many senators fled to Greece. By the time is was 46 BC, Caesar scored some victories and became the dictator of Rome. After being victorious and eliminating his remaining enemies, he returned home. "Generous in victory, he was kind to his defeated rivals, giving them all amnesties and even inviting some to join him in government. His position however, remained insecure. Without a son of his own, he needed an heir." Caesar had then quickly adopted his great nephew, Augustus. Caesar had also moved fast to strengthen the northern borders of the empire and had it tackle its enemies in the east. When Caesar was at home he kept himself busy. "He reformed the Roman calendar, tackled local government, resettled veterans into new cities, made the Senate more representative, and granted citizenship to many more foreigners."