THE RISE OF JULIUS CAESAR

By Trevor Burdzy

JULY 25, 2013

PROFESSOR PILANT Ancient History 117 66208

Few people in history have achieved the kind of acclaim needed in order to become a household name even hundreds of years after their death. Julius Caesar is one of those men whose name has survived time and arguably is the most well known historical figure in the western world. Despite Caesars reputation though He was not a unique phenomenon, only the culmination of a long series of ambitious nobles who had striven for supreme dignitas and auctoritas at Rome1. Yet his reputation is almost beyond imagination because of the things he accomplished in his life and how he accomplished them. His rise to power is nearly legendary because of the scale it took, and because he alone set the course for the Roman Empire to become a dictatorship when it was previously a republic. Caesar seemed destine for politics simply because of his heritage. Although his family was generally unknown in the realm of politics their heritage was very ancient and very patrician2. In 70 B.C. Pompey the Great entered the realm of Roman politics and was generally unpopular amongst the senate because of his populist ties, but he had the backing of a young Gaius Julius Caesar. This partnership allowed Caesar to take an active role in politics alongside Pompey, and start his political career. Caesar career revolved around supporting the populists over the aristocrats, and not coincidently, Pompey had worked to restore the tribunes power after it was stripped by Sulla, thus allowing the popular vote of the people to play a much more important role in politics.3

Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. "Caesar Wins and Is Lost." A History of the Roman People. 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. 231. Print. 2 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 199. 3 Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire. London: BBC (Random House), 2007. 110. Print

It was in the early 70s B.C. that Caesar showed his political cards by prosecuting two aristocratic governors of the provinces of Macedonia and Greece, and although he lost the trials, he gained great popularity with the plebs.4 Similarly, Caesars charisma and good manners continued to win people over. This kind of charm was crucial in his rise to power because it allowed him to easily gain the favor to the regular citizens of Rome whose cause he championed throughout his career. Aside from his eloquence, Caesar held a series of offices in which he made the most of in order to further his popularity and prestige. One example of this is when he was at the post of curule aedile where he put on the most spectacular gladiatorial games the city had ever seen.5 It was these types of exploits that gradually won him the love of the people which would would come in handy during his career both in politics and in the military. In 60 B.C. Caesar ran for, and was elected to, the consulship along with a man named Bibulus who was supported by Caesars political enemies. As a result of Bibulus election Caesar formed the first triumvirate, which was a political alliance with Pompey and Crassus in order to strengthen his position. These three extremely powerful men, as a result of their alliance, had essentially gained control of the republic.6 Although Caesar was less powerful than Pompey or Crassus he had the advantage that the two had a bit of a rivalry, which made it easy for Caesar to maneuver between them.7 Cleverly, Caesar continued to grow his power by means outside of politics. He married his daughter to Pompey, further securing a good relationship with a man
4
5 6

Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 110.

Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 111. Ushistory.org. "6b. Julius Caesar." Julius Caesar [ushistory.org]. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2013. 7 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 210.

who had many veteran soldiers who were loyal to him. Secondly, he took Calpurnia as a wife who was the daughter of a future consul. This along with the triumvirate secured the power needed in order to favor himself with legislation resulting in him gaining wealth and military resources, and finally passing Crassus and Pompey in power. After Caesars consulship had ended in 59 B.C. he customarily chose to govern a province of Rome.8 A man named Cato, along with more of Caesars political enemies wanted to send him to a province in Italy where there was no opportunity for glory, war or riches to exploit in order to bring his career to an end. Luckily though, the governor of Transalpine Gaul died the same year leaving that province open, and needy of a commander. It was Pompey who proposed legislation that would give Caesar Illyricum and the Gallic provinces. 9 He rode off to Gaul in 58 B.C. leaving behind Pompey to govern at home and a senate whom he had alienated. Gaul was a land ripe for picking in terms of conquest. One of Caesars first actions as governor of Transalpine Gaul was to break a law that he, himself passed while serving as consul. Knowing that the Helvetii tribe would be passing near his boundaries as they migrated to Switzerland he led the tribe into a trap and forced them to attack, thus justifying a war. After defeating the Helvetii in battle Caesar started getting processions from neighboring states in central Gaul to offer their congratulations, and to implore his help in defeating another German king who was on a rampage across Gaul.10 With the kings rudeness being the pretext, Caesar swiftly defeated the Germanic king in a single decisive battle, thus securing another victory in

8 9

Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 210. Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 115. 10 Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 118.

Gaul. 11 Perhaps one of Caesars most spectacular actions though was when he fought the two Germanic tribes, the Usipetes and the Tencteri in 55 B.C. After the 400,000-strong army was defeated they retreated into Germany, back across the Rhine. Caesar wasnt about to let them go; he built a 1155 foot long bridge across the river and crossed into Germany. When the bridge was finished Caesar and his army crossed into Germany. They destroyed and set fire to the nearby land and told all those who remain one very clear message: never again make an enemy of Rome. 12 After this triumph, and to surpass his previous conquests abroad, Caesar crossed the English Channel and invaded Britain, getting as far as the Thames River.13 This achievement was unprecedented in Roman history and helped Caesar to achieve his long term goal of building a strong power base as well as gain as much glory as possible. Lastly, as his final conquest in Gaul Caesar dealt with the revolt of Vercingetorix. It was a Gallic war for independence under the leadership of Vercingetorix, the son of a former Arvernian king.14 Caesar was initially being pushed back by Vercingetorixs guerilla tactics, but the tide was turned when Vercingetorix was forced by the other Gallic leaders to defend the city of Bourges in open warfare. 15 It was the famous siege of Alesia in 52 B.C. where Caesar finally defeated the Gallic forces and secured Gaul as a powerful financial and military base for his eventual return to Rome as one of the most powerful men in the empire. Aside from merely conquering Germanic tribes, he recruited many into his army. During his time in Gaul his three legions,

11 12

Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 213. Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 120. 13 Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 121. 14 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 216. 15 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 216.

authorized by Rome, swelled to ten, numbering no less than 50,000 who were totally devoted to him alone.16 There were many attempts to cripple Caesars power, but Pompey, along with Caesars newest alley Curio, continued to defend his power. Pompey with his bands of veterans roaming the streets, and Curio with his sharp tongue. Eventually though, as rumors of Caesars arrival in Cisalpine Gaul created fear of him marching on Rome; the senate was turning against him. Despite Caesars proposal to resign his power as long as Pompey did so as well, the senate declared him a public enemy.17 Being ostracized by the senate was what directly led to Caesar crossing the Rubicon, and invading Italy. He invaded Italy in 49 B.C. with only one legion, and during winter.18 As he marched through Italy many ill-trained, and unmotivated opposing troops surrendered to him, with some even joining his army. Early on, Caesar conquered the supposedly strong military base of Corfinium which created panic in Rome, and caused Pompey, and his forces to flee to fight another day. Despite this, Caesar eventually defeated Pompey in 48 B.C. during the battle of Pharsalus.19 Pompey fled to Egypt afterward, but was assassinated by a rouge Roman20. With his main military adversary dead Caesar returned to Italy where a revolt was taking place. With his arrival though, the streets fell silent. He enacted reforms that were meant to stabilize the economy, and create order. Now, Caesar was fully in control of the city of Rome, and only had one more problem at home, his army. After their long marches, years of fighting, and
16 17

Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 123. Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 221. 18 Baker, Simon. "Caesar." The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 138. 19 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 222. 20 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 224.

invasion of Italy his soldiers were growing mutinous. After granting his army the discharge they desired, and reaffirming that he would keep his promises, and more, his army had a change of heart and begged him to take them back, to which he agreed.21 Finally, Caesar had to defeat one more military enemy in order to finish his civil war. Cato, Caesars longtime rival and enemy in the senate, regrouped some of Pompeys forces and passed them off to a commander named Scipio.22 They were based in Africa where Caesar soon sailed. Scipio was an incompetent commander and his forces were destroyed. As a result Cato committed suicide. When Caesar returned, yet again, to Rome he was showered with festivals, and titles, the most important of which being dictator. Days, and weeks were dedicated to celebrating him and his triumph. Although, his success seemed to be solidified, he had to finish off the last of his adversaries in Spain. Pompey had strong control of Spain during his career, and it was where the last of the forces loyal to his cause were. It was superior discipline and generalship that decided the battle, and although This was Caesars hardest battle, [it was] his last. He was now undisputed military champion of the world.23 In conclusion, Caesars rise to power was one of the most, if not the most, significant events in Ancient Roman history. It ushered in an era of governmental unrest, grand military conquest, and civil war, which was finally put to rest only when Caesar took complete control of the Roman Empire. As a result, he is one of the most famous and researched men in history, and although his reign was shorted lived, his complete and successful triumph of Rome, along with many other parts of the world changed the Roman Empire forever.
21 22

Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 226. Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 226. 23 Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People, 227.

Bibliography

PBS. "Julius Caesar." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 13 July 2013.

Baker, Simon. Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire. London: BBC, 2007. Print.

Everitt, Anthony. The Rise of Rome: The Making of the World's Greatest Empire. New York: Random House, 2012. Print.

Dupont, Florence. Daily Life in Ancient Rome. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1993. Print.

Heichelheim, Fritz M., Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen Mason Ward. A History of the Roman People. 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. Print.