Following the Punic Wars, Rome faced demographic problems as wealthy landowners consolidated small farms into large estates, displacing many farmers. Additionally, an influx of slaves provided cheap labor and further displaced farmers. This led to unrest and instability. Julius Caesar rose to power by forming an alliance with Pompey and Crassus known as the First Triumvirate. After conquering Gaul, he was assassinated by senators who feared he wanted to be emperor. This led to the Second Triumvirate between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus, which saw a power struggle that ended with Octavian defeating Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium. Octavian became the first Roman emperor, taking the name