Kyla Davis

The Reign of Julius Caesar

Kyla Davis

Dr. Cook
Ancient World History
TR 9:00
15 April 2016

Kyla Davis

Kyla Davis
Dr. Cook
Ancient World History
15 April 2016
The Reign of Julius Caesar
Chaos broke out across Rome as Caesar was stabbed in the back multiple times by those
closest to him. As a self-declared dictator, Julius Casesar turned the Roman Republic into the
powerful Roman Empire (Julius). Caesars life before and during his reign, and the time
leading to his unfortunate death show his hunger for power and the development of Rome.
Hungry for power, Caesar began his journey studying to perfect his ability to speak to an
audience, winning them over with his knowledge of language and politics. It was said by a great
orator from Caesars time, Others could perhaps rival Julius Caesar on the podium (Hughes).
After his scholastic journey ended, Caesar moved on to join the military shortly after his
marriage to Cornelia, the daughter of a noble. In doing this, Caesar protected himself from Sulla,
the current ruler, who threatened to take his property if he remained married to Cornelia. When
Sulla died, however, Caesar returned and gained a political position in the empire. Soon after,
and for only short time, Cornelia had passed away, and Caesar made what was clearly a political
marriage to Pompeia, a girl in Pompeys family (Hughes). Pompey was a high standing military
leader, perfect for Casesar to build trust and friendship within his ongoing search for power.
In his search for power, Caesar transformed Rome throughout his military, political, and
ruling years. The ambitious young, Julius Caesar, completed the conquest of Europe from the
Rhine River west to the Atlantic, sent the first Roman forces into Britian, and then won a civil
war against former allies (Lockard). The conquests and wars that were successful helped Rome

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bring power to its name and property to its belonging, enlarging the empire with each win. It was
of no doubt that Caesar would receive praise for his courageous, successful endeavors; in the
eyes of the Romans, Julius Caesar was a hero. With this newfound admiration among the people
of Rome, it was not long until Julius would cease control. Past military power, Caesar also
contributed to society in ways that have carried on to this present day. Julius Caesar introduced
a calendar creating a year of 365 days and a few minutes (Lockard). Though it had to be
changed in later years, it still represents a civilization that was developed beyond most others in
that time.
Throughout his ruling years, Caesar continued to advance Rome. His rule began by the
act of [having] himself declared perpetual dictator (Lockard). Being the new dictator had its
perks. A dictator had twenty-four lictors (Hughes). According to Merriam Webster, a lictor
is an ancient Roman officer who assists and accompanies the magistrate. Due to Caesars sudden
power he became a threat to many, nationally. The threat created tension between Julius Caesar
and Pompey, but Pompey and his troops were no a match for Caesar and his military campaign
(Julius). Soon Caesar had a newfound interest that he had not tempted up to this point; he
decided to leave a permanent architectural mark on Rome: a magnificent colonnaded square, the
Forum Julii (Hughes). In order for temples or forums to be built, a copious amount of money
was required to meet the extravagant needs of its owner. The need of money did not stop Julius
in his plans to build his monument. The huge costs of Julius forum would be met by the sack of
Gallic cities and shrines, and of course by the slave trade (Hughes). With his people, servants,
and military at his expense along with no limitations on his desires or commands, Caesar had
finally achieved the power he had been working for his entire life.

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Caesars power not only aided in his social rank and image, but also gave him one
delicacy he appreciated more than many things- women. Caesar was well-known for his love of
women, and with unlimited power, he had no problem attaining them. Caesars soldiers would
sing out chants about their glorious leader and his love for women. A chant, such as, Home we
bring the hairless Fucker, / Roman maidens, bar your doors- / For the Roman gold you sent him /
Went to pay his Gallic whores (Hughes). The chant uses the term hairless as Caesar was bald. It
was of no doubt that he was enjoying his reign over the Roman Empire.
Though Caesar enjoyed his reign, he had his fair share of mistakes throughout his time in
rule. One major mistake that Caesar made was [weakening] the senate by enlarging it to nine
hundred men, too large for an effective governing body (Lockard). As shown today, even the
US Senate, which consists of considerable less people than Caesars nine hundred, has its
difficulty making choices wisely and effectively. Not only did he increase the size of the senate
substantially, but also Caesar hand-selected, for his own benefit, hundreds of patricians and
equestrians to take part in the Senate (Hughes). According to Merriam Webster, patricians were
a part of the highest social class. The Senate was not in good shape as it should have been
smaller, and the members should have not been equestrians, or patricians, but those with the
qualifications and knowledge required to properly conduct effectively in the Senate. However,
due to Caesar selecting his friends to be in the Senate, it [allowed for him] to speak first at
assembly meetings, and Roman coins bore his face (Julius).
With Caesars power at an all-time high, those working with him became jealous and
angered. Those angered Rapidly formed a cabal (Hughes). According to Merriam Webster a
cabal is a group of people working together secretly. It became evident that the dictators rule
would soon come to an end. Sure enough [the cabal] resolved to kill [Caesar] which they did

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with their daggers on the floor of the Senate House in Rome on the Ides of March 44 (Hughes).
It is said that Brutus, a dear friend of Caesars, may have indeed led the attack. The last words
Caesar [exclaimed were] Et tu, Brute? (Even you, Brutus?) (Hughes).
Following Caesar's death, a power struggle ensued in Rome, leading to the end of the
Roman Republic (Julius). With chaos at hand, Romes power and stability were shaken. There
was still hope as Caesar had a son, Octavius, who was the written, legal successor to his father.
[Octavians] victory over Caesar's assassins allowed Octavian, who would assume the name
Augustus, to take power in 27 BC and become the first Roman emperor (Julius). Eventually
the wars were settled, and Octavian claimed his place as ruler over the Romans. Though Rome
settled back down, the people and empire took the loss of their beloved Julius incredibly hard;
Rome was never as great again.
Julius Caesar had done what no other ruler could have- made an empire thrive to the
point where no ruler following could keep it thriving. Caesars dedication and desire for power
along with his perfected social image got the ruler to the exact place he hoped to be, in charge of
all. [Caesar had an exemplary talent for singling out the heart of an issue and driving straight to
it (Hughes). Julius Caesar proved that one did not have to be born into the succession of the
throne, like none other had done before. From the very beginning of Caesars life to the very end,
he held one goal, one he accomplished. He fed his hunger for power and developed Rome in a
multitude of ways.

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Hughes, Robert. Rome: A Cultural, Visual, and Personal History. 1st ed. New York:

Alfred

A. Knopf, 2011. Print.

"Julius Caesar." A&E Networks Television. Bio.com. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
Merriam-Webster. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
Lockard, Craig A. Societies, Networks, and Transitions. Third ed. Vol. 1: To 1500. Stamford,
USA: Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.