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JULIUS CAESAR

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Julius Caesar, born on July 12/13 100 B.C.E., was a politician and a general to Rome, who

established the rule of the emperors by overthrowing the Roman Republic1. The hardships and

problems during this period helped him create a supreme political and military power for his

own. His political success took place in 63 B.C.E. when Caesar is appointed to the chief religious

office that was significant in carrying political stabilities in Rome.

First Triumvirate

Caesar won the election to rule over foreign lands in 59 B.C.E. However; the Senate had him

assigned to areas that gave him no chance for military glory; forests in Italy including the cattle

trails, to hinder his hopes for political power in the future. His anger for political and military

power made him seek an alliance with Pompey, the Roman General, and Crassus, an influential

politician from Rome, to overcome his enemies in the Senate2. Pompey brought the strength of

the military and wealth, while Crassus came with weighty political connections. This alliance

even became stronger in the 58 B.C.E. after Caesar’s daughter was married off to Pompey. The

senators are persuaded to keep Caesar in charge of Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul, the two

northern provinces of Rome due to riots by veterans of Pompey. The two regions give him the

best chances to recruit an army that is loyal to him, and that is far away from Rome. Carry, and

Scullard in their book wrote the following:

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1 Caesar, Julius. Caesar's Commentaires on the Gallic War: With Notes, Dictionary, and a Map
of Gaul. American, 1886
2
2 Miola, Robert S. "Julius Caesar and the Tyrannicide Debate." Renaissance

Quarterly 38, no. 2 (1985), 271-289. doi:10.2307/2861665.

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There is no other province that could offer Caesar enough facilities for keeping an eye on
the way events were unfolding in the capital and forestalling the maneuvers of his opponents
who were politicians. Caesar left Transalpine Gaul whenever he wished, and spent his winters in
his Italian province, conducting the daily duties and activities of a governor and received visits
from the agents and associates of his who came from Rome. However, he was very alive to the
opportunities that Cisalpine Gaul offered which were military related. (Cary and Scullard 1975,
258)

He intends to conquer new territories. Nonetheless, Pompey furthers his interests politically in

Rome, and the two are now considered the most men in Rome.

Revolt in Gaul

Gaul, the Roman province which had several tribes occupying it, was awarded to Caesar to

govern it. Despite the limitations of Gaul control by Rome, the latter had political relations with

other tribes that were past the border of the province. Caesar makes good use of this opportunity

and the shifting power position and extends the realm of control by Rome3. He expedites against

Britain whose tribes kept close contact with Gaul, enhancing enthusiasm in Rome because this

was the first incidence where the soldiers from Rome conquered new people from the overseas.

However, his power base was threatened by Vercingetorix. After Caesar losing the battle and lost

many of his soldiers to his new enemy, Vercingetorix took refuge in the Asian forests, where

Caesar sieged and captured him, forcing him to surrender.

Dissolution of the Triumvirate

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3 Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
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Regardless of the absence of Caesar in Rome, the triumvirate remains strong due to Julia’s

marriage with Pompey. However, she dies in 54 after delivery of her daughter. Additionally, it is

followed by the killing of Crassus during his campaigns in Asia4. These factors open a window a

window of rivalry between Caesar and Pompey. Afraid of the successes of Caesar in Gaul, the

Rome senators are in support of Pompey who they view as their best protection.

Civil War

The Senate further instructs Caesar to return to Rome as a private citizen, leaving his rule over

Gaul, with an intention to weaken him politically.

Caesar receives this from the Senate while in the southern part of his command area. He

disregards the instructions given to him and immediately matches his troops south towards

Rome, launching a civil war5. Pompey together with his army retreats to Greece escaping the

wrath of Caesar. However, he is pursued and eventually defeated. Pompey later flees to Egypt

where the courts rule against him as a likely source of danger, and he is then stabbed to death.

4
4 White, Peter. "Julius Caesar in Augustan Rome." Phoenix 42, no. 4 (1988), 334.

doi:10.2307/1088658.

5
Anscombe, Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret. "Hume and Julius Caesar." Analysis 34,

no. 1 (1973): 1-7.

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Caesar was later involved in struggling for power in Egypt after following Pompey when he fled.

He developed an affair with Cleopatra, daughter to Ptolemy, who then bore him a son.

Dictator

Mark Antony, a trusted lieutenant to Caesar, led the Senate to declare him a dictator. Caesar sails

back to Rome, through Asia Minor, where Caesar defeats a rebellious king. His triumph in

Africa, Asia Minor, Rome, and Egypt is a victory for him.

Distinguished prisoners from the campaigns of Caesar do begin each day’s procession. After

appearing, they are strangled after serving Caesar’s purpose. Then follows Caesar as he sings

cheeky songs. He is accompanied with wagons of gold which is to be shared among each soldier

depending on their rank. Entertainment was marked with the battle to the death between

prisoners of war and the criminals. The last event of his triumph is a feast whereby he is later

escorted to his residence by elephants. These marks his dictatorship whereby he is in full control.

Within the next two years, Caesar comes up with new reforms on the administration of Rome,

which included the introduction of a new calendar. He also leads a campaign to widen Rome’s

empire to the east.

Death and Legacy

Dissatisfaction in the Senate regarding Caesar’s rule led to a conspiracy that aimed to remove

Caesar out of power and have the senate control the government. The plan was that with the
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death of Caesar, there would be a restoration of the state and the factors that produced him would

as well be eliminated. Caesar was stabbed while in Pompey’s Senate house on March 15, 44

B.C.E., by men who included his allies and the old friends. With the death of Caesar, Rome

witnessed thirteen years of civil war. For many, Caesar represents a symbol of a leader, while to

others term his as the founder of the Roman Empire. However, to everyone, he is a symbol of a

genius and courage which are illustrated by few in history.

Bibliography

Anscombe, Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret. "Hume and Julius Caesar." Analysis 34, no. 1

(1973): 1-7.

Caesar, Julius. Caesar's Commentaires on the Gallic War: With Notes, Dictionary, and a

Map of Gaul. American, 1886.

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Miola, Robert S. "Julius Caesar and the Tyrannicide Debate." Renaissance Quarterly 38,

no. 2 (1985), 271-289. doi:10.2307/2861665.

Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Cambridge University Press, 2017.

White, Peter. "Julius Caesar in Augustan Rome." Phoenix 42, no. 4 (1988), 334.

doi:10.2307/1088658.