(Drivebycuriosity) - Is the fame of Julius Caesar really justified? Adrian Keith Goldsworthy`s biography "Caesar: Life Of A Colossus" validates the glory ( amazon). Caius Julius Caesar was a polymath; a judge & advocate, law writer, book author (about language), reformer, administrator, senator, reformer, dictator - and - yes - a successful general & warlord.
From the begin of his career Caesar worked on his image. In his youth he got a lot attention because he was the one who dressed distinctively, setting fashions that many younger men copied. He was praised for gestures, the elegance and forcefulness of his stance and bearing, and the tones of his slightly high-pitched voice.
Impressing The Crowd
Caesar started his social rise as a lawyer and was making sure that he was prominent in public life and associated with popular causes. When one of Caesar`s cases came to trial, he (for instance as prosecutor) delivered a speech that greatly impressed onlookers. He subsequently published a version of this speech– a not uncommon practice. We know from ancient commentators that it was widely admired. During a trial Caesar impressed the crowd watching proceedings as well as those taking part, while the publication of the speech helped to build on the reputation he had won. His voice was a little high pitched, but his delivery evidently gave it force and power.
Caesar`s talents nurtured his career as politician and when he became senator he excelled in the daily business of greeting friends and associates, of doing favors to as many people as possible and so placing them under an obligation without making them feel inferior.
Welding Into Cohesive Force
Like other Roman aristocrats Caesar sought for success as soldier and later as a general. His military career was based on swift but calculated action, his refusal to be daunted by natural obstacles or initial reverses and the ruthless exploitation of success. He showed a willingness to accept surrender and treat the conquered generously in the hope of turning them into productive, tax-paying members of the province. Caesar developed into an experienced war-leader who welded his warriors into a more cohesive force than his enemies and he acted cautiously.
Caesar wisely cemented his victories. During his campaigns in Gaul allied communities who had remained loyal were given citizenship, as were those who quickly surrendered and, very quickly, those who had been defeated. The readiness with which the Romans extended the franchise to virtually the entire free population of Italy south of the River Po underlined the essential pointlessness of the conflict.
Extending Roman Rule
Gaul`s aristocracy earned Roman citizenship and within a century of Caesar’s death the descendants of men who had fought against him would take their place in Rome’s Senate. Gaul`s population, or at least the wealthier classes, were granted the benefits of glass in their windows, running water, sewers, bath-houses and central heating, Gaulish culture was modified and influenced by Roman ideas and concepts to become what is today known as Gallo – Roman culture. Latin became commonly used, especially in the towns and cities and amongst the aristocracy Literacy and the idea of written records spread.
Caesar spent nine years in Gaul, extending Roman rule to the Rhine in the east, the English Channel in the north and the Atlantic coast in the west. The area would remain part of Rome’s empire for the best part of five centuries. During most of that time it would have internal peace-broken by a few rebellions in the first generation or so after conquest, then only by occasional Roman civil wars and, especially in the later years, periodic.
This Town Is not Big Enough For Both Of US
Caesar`s steep climb lead to a military conflict with another successful Roman warlord, Pompey, that lead to a Civil War, that began in January 49 BC. The war could not have happened without the bitter, almost obsessive hatred felt towards Caesar by men like Cato, Domitius Ahenobarbus and the others, which made them determined to prevent his return to public life as a consul. Even this would not have mattered if Pompey had not seen an opportunity to demonstrate his supremacy and show these men, as well as Caesar, that they needed to placate him.
In 49 BC Rome´s Republic had become dominated by a faction who ignored the normal rule of law and particularly refused to acknowledge the traditional powers and rights of the tribunate. Yet Caesar was quite open that it was first and foremost because this faction of men had attacked him that he now moved against them. The Roman world was being plunged into chaos and bloodshed because one man was as determined to protect his dignitas as others were to destroy it.
Caesar´s victories in the campaigns in Gaul and his triumph in the Civil War with Pompey made him immense popular, wealthy & powerful. Goldsworthy writes: "Caesar’s honors were now exceptional. He was made dictator for ten years and all magistrates were formally subordinate to him. To this he added the consulship, for as much of each year as he chose to retain it. Soon this was extended to the formal right to hold the office for ten years. In addition, he controlled the entire Roman army, as well as the Republic’s Treasury".
There is no doubt that by late 45 BC Caesar was effectively a monarch, in the literal sense that he enjoyed far greater power than any other person, group or institution within the Roman Republic. He had gained this position through victory in the Civil War, but his specific powers had been awarded him by the Senate and People. Traditionally a dictator had been limited to a six-month term of office.
Et Tu Brutus?
But Caesar`s power and his steep rise created jealousy and envy. The sons of old and more established families, believed that they had more right to lead a lead politician role in Rome´s senate.
Ultimately, no Roman senator liked to see another man excelling him in glory and influence. It was not so much what Caesar had done that provoked their hostility – most would have happily praised the same deeds, – especially his victories in Gaul, if only they had been performed by someone else, or better yet by several other men, so that no one individual gained too much glory. Men from established families were raised to believe that they deserved to guide the Republic, but Caesar’s eminence robbed them of much of this role. Finally there was a chance to end his career-preferably in court, and a court that shared their view of the accused and the need to be rid of him, but if not, by armed force.
Eventually they used force. The motives of the conspirators were many and varied, but underlying everything was a sense that to have one man possessing as much permanent power as Caesar was incompatible with a free Republic.
It is strange that Caesar had a great fondness of Brutus, an affection which remained even after the latter had fought against him in 49–48 BC. Anyway, Caesar named him consul for 42 BC. Brutus was also listed amongst the secondary heirs in the dictator’s will.
Cicero And The Assasins
Cicero, the famous orator, whom Caesar saw as a friend, eventually went to the Capitol and congratulated the assassins, but when Brutus and Cassius went down and spoke from the Rostra in the Forum, the crowd that gathered showed no sign of enthusiasm. Some sources also claim that there was a wax effigy of Caesar showing his injuries. A large crowd had gathered – Cicero later dismissed them as the rabble of the city, but this was no more than conventional abuse of opponents.
The affection of Rome`s population for Caesar, as a man who throughout his career had consistently advocated measures for the benefit of the wider population and not simply the narrow elite, had never seriously wavered. In 49 BC the vast bulk of the wider population of Italy had not been inclined to take up arms against Caesar. Then and now they had found it much harder than his senatorial opponents to see Caesar as an enemy of the Republic, a term that anyway meant different things to different people. After the funeral came rioting and attacks on the houses of the conspirators and those who had supported them.
Within three years virtually all of the conspirators had been defeated and were dead, often by their own hands.
Salve Caesar!
PS On the top you can see Vincenzo Camuccini`s “Death of Caesar”
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