The optimates were a conservative political faction in the late Roman Republic composed primarily of wealthy patricians and senators. They favored maintaining the traditional Roman power structures and opposed reforms that threatened their authority. The optimates often clashed with the populist faction known as the populares.

Optimates, Babies,Facies,Rabies

Caesar's major obstacle were the optimates. Caesar was a popularis, which was a political faction which championed the cause of the poor and wanted to introduce reforms in their favour. The populares (plural of popularis) were opposed by the optimates, a conservative political faction which favoured the aristocracy and opposed the reforms. This aristocracy had also came to be seen as corrupt.

Caesar gained power by fighting a civil war against the optimates. Many of assassins were optimates.

the optimates and the populares

Cicero was a leader of the optimates, a political faction which favoured the aristocracy, and of the senate. The optimates were opposed to Caesar's political faction, the populares who championed the cause of the poor and wanted reforms which would help them