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The Roman Revolution
Crisis
Caesar's enemies, especially Cicero, decided that the hero must be brought to heel before he became too strong. They were able to bring treason charges against him in the year 50. The charges were not only false, everyone knew them to be false. But everyone also understood that there would be a conviction.
Pompey, the champion of the Senate and acting on its behalf, ordered Caesar to return to Rome to stand trial. This was tantamount to a declaration of war. Caesar now had to decide whether to return to Rome and risk almost certain condemnation, or to defy the Senate and risk almost certain civil war.
He brought his army into 
Cisalpine Gaul -- what is today northern
Italy. This was part of his province, but it was its southernmost
border. Among Sulla's reforms was a law that prohibited a proconsul from
bringing his armies beyond the limits of his province, a law designed by Sulla
to prevent another Sulla.
The southernmost edge of Gaul was the little river called the
Rubicon.
Caesar brought his soldiers here in the winter and desperately
tried to negotiate a last-minute compromise. By January, time was
running out. When the messengers returned with the final refusal of Pompey to
negotiate, Caesar retired to his tent.
He thought for an hour or so. He spoke with his officers. Then he gave the orders to cross the Rubicon, January 10 of 49. The moment his soldiers set foot on the other side, Caesar was automatically an outlaw and his only recourse was to war.