Julius Caesar had an eventful career on his way up the Cursus Honorum. He won the Civic Crown in Asia, was captured by pirates on his way to Rhodes, and served as Governor of Hispania Ulterior.
The History of Rome - 038- The Catiline Conspiracy
In 63 BC an embittered two-time consular candidate named Catiline
conspired to overthrow the Roman government. He was stopped by Rome's
greatest politician and orator, Marcus Tullius Cicero.
The History of Rome - 037- Go East Young Man
After clearing the Mediterranean of pirates in 67 BC Pompey was put in
charge of the war with Mithridates. He promptly conquered his way to
Jerusalem.
The History of Rome - 036- I Am Spartacus!
From 73-71 BC a gladiator named Spartacus led a slave revolt in
southern Italy. Despite defeating the Romans on numerous occasions, the
slave army was eventually defeated by Marcus Crassus (with an
unsolicited assist from Pompey).
The History of Rome - 035- Crassus and Pompey
After Sulla's death two men emerged as the vanguard of Rome's new
political generation: Marcus Crassus who would become Rome's richest
man and Pompey the Great, who would become Rome's greatest general. In
a few years these two men would join forces with Julius Caesar to form
the first Triumvirate.
The History of Rome - 034- No Greater Friend, No Worse Enemy
Sulla returned from the east and after winning a short Civil War was
made Dictator for Life. After purging his enemies and reorganizing the
consitution he inexplicably stepped down in 80 BC.