“I am not King but Caesar”

2 Background and rise to prominence

– his family background and position

– his education, early life and ambitions

– paths to power: priesthoods; Marian connections; political alliances and marriages

– early political career to 60 BC 2008

3 Career

– role in First Triumvirate

– Gallic Wars: campaigns and tactics, siege of Alesia

– relationship with his army

– relationship with the Senate

– role in the Civil War

– political supporters and enemies

– personal relationships: Julia, Cleopatra VII, Brutus, Mark Antony, Cicero

– impact of personality on career; significance of his writings

– dictatorship: policies and reforms

– assassination: motives, manner and impact of his death

4 Evaluation

– impact and influence on his time

– assessment of his life and career

– legacy

– ancient and modern images and interpretations of Julius Caesar.
2006 2003
2007 2005
2006
2008 2004
2004
2007 ( military) 2005 ( general ) 2003
 CAESAR
HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY THE BOARD OF
STUDIES AS A PERSONALITY THAT INCITES
EXTREME VIEWS
 BECAUSE OF THE ABUNDANCE OF SOURCES IT
ALLOWS STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND BIAS AND
SYNTHESIZE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
 EACH GENERATION SEEMS TO REDEFINE
CAESAR ACCORDING TO THE POLITICAL AND
SOCIAL CONTEXT
 ANY ANSWER ON CAESAR, PARTICULARLY THE
15 MARK ANSWER MUST EXPLAIN WHY VIEWS
OBN CAESAR ARE SO POLARIZED
INFLUENCE: WEALTH, PATRICIAN
STATUS,CLIENTALE,POPULARE CONNECTION
MARRIAGES; EXTENSION OF AMICITAE
CORNELIA DAUGHTER OF CINNA 83-69BC (
POPULARE FACTION)
POMPEIA GRANDAUGHTER OF SULLA 67-61BC
DIVORCED ( ACCEPTANCE BY CORE ELITE)
CALPURNIA, DAUGHTER OF LUCIIUS CALPURNIUS
PISO ( CONSUL FOR 58BC) 59-44 BC
POLITICAL
CONNECTIONS
PRIEST
OF
JUPITOR
PONTIFEX
MAXIMUS
MARIAN
CONNECTION
MARIUS, WIFE OF
AUNT JULIA
CINNA FATHER IN
LAW ENTRENCHES
HIM IN
POPULARE
IDEOLOGY
 Military
Aide under Thermus
 Curator of Appian WAY
 Quaestor
 65BC Aedile
 63 BC Praetor
 Pontifex Maximus
 62 BCProPraetorship in Spain
 59 BC Consulship
KNOW THE CHRONOLOGY
60 Caesar returns from Spain, first triumvirate between Casesar, Crassus and
Pompey. 59 Caesar consul. Pompey marries Caesar's daughter Julia. Caesar given
proconsulship of Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum; senate adds Transalpine Gaul to
this.
58-51 Caesar's campaigns in Gaul
58 Tribunate of Clodius - corn law. Cicero exiled. Cyprus annexed. Caesar defeats
Helvetii and Ariovistos
57 Clodius and Milo riot in Rome. Return of Cicero. Caesar defeats Nervii and
other Belgae
56 Conference of the triumvirs at Luca.
55 Second consulship of Crassus and Pompey. First stone theatre of Rome, built
by Pompey on the Campus Martius. Caesar bridges the Rhine, invades Germany,
then Britain.
54 Pompey, near Rome, governs Spain through legates. Death of Julia. Caesar's
second expedition to Britain. revolt in north eastern Gaul. Crassus prepares for
Parthian campaign.
53 Rioting in Rome. Battle of Carrhae: Roman army defeated by the Parthians,
Crassus killed, the Roman army standards taken as booty
52 Milo kills Clodius. Trial of Milo. Pompey sole consul. Revolt of Vercingetorix in
Gaul. Siege of Alesia, Caesar victorious.
51 Parthian invasion of Syria


49-45 Civil War - Julius Caesar fighting the Pompeians
49 On January 10 Caesar crosses the Rubicon and marches on Rome in
defiance of the Senate. Pompey leaves for Greece. Caesar dictator fir first
time, for eleven days, passes emergency legislation. Caesar in Spain, defeats
Pompeians.







48-47 Caesar becomes involved in Egyptian dynastic struggles
48 Caesar consul for second time.Caesar crosses to Greece, defeats Pompey at
Pharsalus. Pompey flees to Egypt where he is stabbed to death on landing.
Caesar in Egypt. Alexandrine War. Caesar makes Cleopatra queen of Egypt.
47 Caesar dictator for second time in his absence. Caesar defeats King
Pharnaces II of Pontus. Caesar returns to Rome, then leaves for Africa.
46 Caesar crushes surviving Pompeian forces under Scipio and Cato at Thapsus.
Caesar dictator second time, consul third time. Cato commits suicide. Caesar
returns to Rome, reforms calendar. Caesar leaves for Spain.
45 Caesar dictator third time, consul fourth time. In battle at Munda in Spain
the last Roman Republican resistance is crushed
44 Caesar dictator fourth time (for life), consul fifth time. March 15, Caesar
murdered by Brutus, Cassius, and their co-conspirators acting for the
Republicans. Octavian returns from Greece
 INSTIGATOR
 MEDIATOR
 MANIPULATOR
.
Caesar brought these men together,
making them friends instead of enemies
and used their united power for the
strengthening of himself
 Suetonius and Appian likewise support
Plutarch in this view. Why might that be?
 TRUTH OR SAME ARISTOCRATIC MYOPATHY?
 In
the First Triumvirate ( date unknown) it
appears that Caesar’s role was as instigator,
mediator and manipulator of the beast
 Instigator ‘ Caesar brought these three together, making
them friends instead of enemies and used their united power for
Plutarch
 MOTIVE; Desire for triumph after Spain and
the right to stand for Consulship in absentia
had been blocked by an intractable Senate
 Why did he need Pompey and Crassus?
the strengthening of himself”
Mediator between Pompey and Crassus who had
baggage from their joint Consulship and probably the
Spartacus revolt where Pompey received a triumph and
Crassus a lesser ovatio, even though it was Crassus
victory
 Manipulator; Caesar’s consulship and Pro Consulship
elevated him above the other two. While he was in
Gaul, accruing wealth and glory he was able to control
Roman politics through Crassus, Pompey and Clodius
Pulcher. The escalating friction between Pompey and
Crassus and their respective gangs ( Clodius/Milo)
 Marshall “ typical aristocratic rivalry “
 Renewal at Luca; Pompey and Crassus joint Consuls
and Caesar a further 5 years and immunity

Date
Place
Enemy
Result
58BC
Nth Gaul
Helvetii
Defeated them at Bibracte and
forced
Them back to their homeland
58BC
Rhine River
Suebi under
Drove the Germans
beyond the Rhine
Ariovistus
57BC
Nth of the Seine
Belgae
Nervii
The tribes
yielded to Caesar
56BC
West- Quiberon Bay
Venetii
Under the command of Decimus
Brutus, Venetii’s defeated
55BC
RHINE River
Germans- Usipetes, Tencteri
Annihilated the two tribeswomen and children
54BC
Britain
54BC
Nth East
Belgic tribes under Ambiorix
Gauls managed to defeat1and a
half legions. Caesar finally
crushes them “ root and
branch”
52BC
Gergovia and Alesia
Averni and other tribes
Starved into submission by use
of siegeworks
Defeated King Cassivellanus
Led by Vercingetorix
 RELATIONSHIP
WITH ARMY; SUETONIUS
Leader
Fair and
equaL
inspirational
RELATIONSHIP
WITH ARMY
Caution or
daring ?
generous
personal
organized
Personal qualities; led by example( red cloak); rhetoric
; audacious and daring; skilled horseman and
swordsman; Clemencia
 “ It is a disputable point which was the more
remarkable…his caution or his daring.” Plutarch
 Treatment of soldiers; “treated them with equal
severity and equal indulgence” Suetonius
 “His ability to secure the affection of his men and to
get the best out of them was remarkable.” Plutarch
 Acknowledged brave acts; allowed the men to relax
and drink wine; financially rewarded his soldiers

Inclusion of
Gaul in the
Roman
Empire
Caesar had
extended his
Clientale- seen as
Protector
Of Gaul
Large amount
Of booty sent
to Rome
The Legacy of
The Gallic Wars
Caesar’s
reputation
was
enhanced
Caesar’s
military
reputation now
equalled
Pompey
Caesar now
Had a massive
loyal, experienced
army
Gaul had
provided him
With massive
Wealth needed
To buy
Political support
RESPECTFUL
TRADITIONAL
Career up
Cursus
Honorum
Suo Anno
PERSUASIVE
Catiline
Conspiracy
arouses
suspicion of
Senate
CONSULSHIP
IMPATIENT
FRUSTRATED
INTOLERANT
SENATE
OBDURATE IN
BLOCKING
REFORMS
COUNTDOWN
TO CIVIL WAR
CONCILIATORY
BUT SENATE
HOSTILE
DICTATOR
DISMISSIVE
SENATE
SYCOPHANTIC






With Caesar’s background, childhood in the Subura, links to Cinna and Marius and his
obvious populare loyalties, Caesar’s relationship with the Senate can be said to be from
the very beginning hostile, confrontational and antagonistic. Caesar treated the Senate
with respect only when it suited his purpose but largely held them in contempt, viewing
them as an antiquated part of the Republic. Three encounters typify the relationship
CATILINE CONSPIRACY
CONSULSHIP BOTH ELECTION TO AND LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
"The strategy of the optimates was simple - to oppose Caesar's reforms root-and-branch
and to get his fellow Consul, the arch-conservative Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, to veto
them. This would have the effect either of neutralizing Caesar or of pushing him into
illegality, for which he could be put on trial in the future once he resigned his
imperium.“
" By uncompromising refusal to meet the demands of Pompey, Caesar and
Crassus the Senate naturally drove them into each other's arms."
COUNTDOWN TO CIVIL WAR

"I did not leave my province with evil intent but to defend myself from the slanders of my
enemies, to restore to their rightful positions the tribunes of the plebs who have been
expelled from the state on my behalf and to reclaim for myself and the Roman people
freedom from the domination of a small clique “

Dictatorship; moderation of Caesar contrasts with sycophantic
honors decreed by Senate and ultimate portrayal
ambition
Methodical
organised
Audacious
daring
determination
Impact of
Personality
on Career
Forgiving
and
generous
energetic
intelligent
arrogant
Porcia, Cato’s daughter,
married to Bibulus, then
Brutus ( the ties that bind)
ENEMIES
OPTIMATES
SUPPORTERS
POPULARES
EQUESTRIANS
CATO
MACELLUS
PLEBEIANS
BIBULUS
SALLUST
" It is reported that while Caesar
and he were in the very heat, and
the whole senate regarding them
two, a little note was brought in to
Caesar which Cato declared to be
suspicious, and urging that some
seditious act was going on, bade the
letter be read. Upon which Caesar
handed the paper to Cato who,
discovering it to be a love-letter
from his sister Servilia to Caesar, by
whom she had been corrupted,
threw it to him again, saying, "Take
it, you sot," and so went on with his
discourse."
Plutarch’s Life of Cato
•CAESAR WAS A PROLIFIC WRITER, ALTHOUGH
MOST ARE NOW LOST
•TWO BOOKS REMAIN; BELLA GALLICA AND BELLA
CIVILLA. BELLA GALLICA OUTLINES IN STRONG
PROSE, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GALLIC WARS BUT
ALSO PROVIDES ACUTE OBSERVATIONS OF THE
CUSTOMS AND HABITS OF GALLIC SOCIETY
•BELLA CIVILLA PRESENTS US WITH CAESAR’S
OWM VOICE AS TO WHY HE CROSSED THE
RUBICON AND PROVIDES A CONTRAST WITH
CICERO’S VIEWPOINT
Cicero had the highest praise for Caesar's war commentaries,
stating that, in their clarity and "faultless grace" of style, they
are incapable of being improved upon
ONCE CAESAR ASSUMES POWER AS DICTATOR HIS ROLE
CHANGES AND HE BECOMES THE LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY
DEFEATING REBEL ARMIES IN GREECE, SPAIN, AFRICA
REBELLIOUS COMMANDER IN
CONTROL OF AN ARMY
MARCHING ON ROME TO
SEIZE POWER
PROMAGISTRATE DENIED THE
RIGHT ALREADY VOTED HIM
IN THE ASSEMBLY ( STAND
FOR CONSULSHIP IN
ABSENTIA) DEFENDING HIS
DIGNITAS AND THE RIGHTS
OF THE TRIBUNES.
Antagonist/Protagonist????
Motives for crossing the Rubicon 49BC
"I did not leave my province with evil intent but to defend myself from the
slanders of my enemies, to restore to their rightful positions the tribunes of the
plebs who have been expelled from the state on my behalf and to reclaim for
myself and the Roman people freedom from the domination of a small clique “
"It has been suggested that constant exercise of power gave Caesar a love of it;
and that, after weighing his enemies' strength against his own, he took this
chance of fulfilling his youthful dreams by making a bid for the monarchy’
Has to be Suetonius!!!!
Pursuit of Pompey after seizing treasury of Rome, Dyrrachium, Pharsalus
Zela, Thapsus and Munda ( 47,46,45 BC) Remnant Pompeian forces are no
longer Republican forces
At what point ( if any ) does Caesar change roles????
"…they all thought only of offices, financial rewards, vengeance on their
personal enemies and of how to exploit their victory instead of how to win it."
Caesar De Bella Civilla
POLITICAL
•FRANCHISE TO TRANSALPINE GAUL
•LEX MUNICIPALIS- UNIFORM SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
•SENATE NUMBERS TO 900
•ENROLLED PROVINCIALS- GAULS AND SOANISH
•INCREASE IN QUASTORS, AEDILES AND PRAETORS
•TRIBUNI AERARII EXCLUDED FROM COURTS
•COURTS EQUAL NUMBER OF SENATORS AND EQUITES
•INCREASED PENALTIKES FOR CRIMINALS
•SUPPRESSED COLLEGIA EXCEPT CRAFTSMEN AND JEWS
•INCREASED SOLDIERS BOUNTIES AND PENSIONS
•RAISE PAY
MILITARY
ECONOMIC
CALENDAR
AND BUIDING
•OVERSEAS COLONIES
•REPLENSISHED TREASURY FROM PENALTIES ON REBELSRELIEVE DEBT
•LAWS AGAINST LUXURY
•REDUCED THOSE ON CORN DOLE
•1/3 FREE LABOUR ON LATIFUNDIA
•REFORM CALENDAR
•PLAN LIBRARY
•DRAIN PONTINE MARSHES
•ICANAL THROUGH ISTHMUS OF CORINTH
•ENLARGE PORT OF OSTIA
•DIVERT TIBER
•STATUES OF POMPEY AND SULLA RE ERECTED
•BASILICA JULIA, NEW CURIA REBUILT WEST SIDE OF FORUM
•PLANNING A HUGE THEATRE
• MOTIVES
• MANNER
• IMPACT
• NICHOLAS
OF
DAMASCUS
IMPACT/INFLUENCE
ON HIS TIME
ASSESSMENT OF LIFE
AND CAREER
LEGACY
•RISE TO POWER THROUGH
POPULARE POLICIES
•TRIUMVIRATE TO DOMINATE
SENATE
•CONSULSHIP REFORMS
•GALLIC VICTORIES
•CIVIL WAR/DEFEAT OF
POMPEY
•DICTATORSIPS/REFORMS
•ASSASSINATION
•SOURCES, SOURCES,
SOURCES
•MUST MAKE A
JUDGEMENT;VILLEIN OR
VISIONARY
•AS A COMMANDER;
STRATEGIST,
ORGANIZATIONAL
SKILLS,DETERMINATION,CE
LERITAS,CLEMENCIA,
RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMY
•AS A POLITICIAN; RISE TO
POWER SUO ANNO ABLE TO
WIN THE HEARTS OF
PEOPLE BUT NOT THE
SENATE, INTOLERANT,
ARROGANT,AMBITIOUS(
TEARS WITH ALEX)
•SOURCES, SOURCES,
SOURCES
•WHAT WAS LEFT BEHIND
•POLITICIAN;PRECEDENT
OF METHODS; EXPLAIN
•REFORMS; OUTLINE
•HIS DOMINATION OF
SENATE UNDERMINED
THEIR FRAGILE
AUTHORITY.
•FACILITATED THE
TRANSFER OF POWER
•MILITARY SKILLS; GAUL
INCORPORATED IN
ROMAN EMPIRE
•EXAMPLES OF TACTICS
STILL STUDIED
•LEGACY AS AUTHOR;
BELLA GALLICO AND
BALLA CIVILLA
•SOURCES, SOURCES,
SOURCES
EMPIRE
•GROWTH OF EMPIRE
•LEGACY OF TRANSFER OF POWER FROM A
TRADITION OF SHARED POWER TO S
PRECEDENT OF SOLE POWER, TO BE
TAKEN UP BY AUGUSTUS
REFORMS
•GOVERNMENT MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF
EMPIRE
•ADMINISTRATION OF PROVINCES MORE
UNIFORM AND EFFICIENT
•CITIZENSHIP CREATED A MORE COHESIVE
EMPIRE
•WEALTH TO ROME
•CALENDAR
DEATH
•POLITICAL VACUUM- CIVIL WAR
•LEGACY OF METHODS THOSE THAT
FOLLOWED CHOSE TO BE MORE VIOLENT
THAN CAESAR
•SECOND TRIUMVIRATE BASED ON FIRST
ONLY LEGAL
REFORMER
POLITICIAN
GENERAL

There is a central historiographical question to be
answered first.
 To
what degree can any one individual
impact on their time?
 Ancient
historians conceived of events in terms of
human agency. If we accept their views then
Caesar transformed the Empire and changed a city
state to an Imperial city. He single handedly
brought about the transformation from shared to
sole power
 All agent and indeed many modern authors see it
this way



History in the 20th century has a more encompassing vision of the
past. Economic and social history is seen as inherently connected
to political history.
Caesar’s impact must then be viewed against the background of
the economic problems of Rome; massive unemployment, food
shortages and chronic debt; and social problems of overcrowding
and urban violence.
For a question on impact and influence, assessment or legacy is it
more realistic to view Caesar as a catalyst who accelerated the
changes. Without the fundamental economic and social problems,
Caesar’s populare policies and client armies would not have been
effective in his rise to power.
•SEE Caesar against the broader
social and economic problems
of Empire
•MOMMSON; SAVIOUIR OF A
DECAYED STATE
•MEIER; CRISIS WITHOUT AN
ALTERNATIVE
•PARENTI; DEMOCRATIC
REFORMER
• PLUTARCH’S BIOGRAPHY
• SUETONIUS GOSSIP BOTH
SEE AIMING AT
MONARCHY
• POSITIVE AS COMMANDER
MODERN
HISTORIANS
CAESAR
ANCIENT
SECONDARY
SOURCES
CICERO
SALLUST
• Bella Gallico and Bella
Civila
• PROPAGANDA
• SELF PROMOTION TO
MAINTAIN POPULARITY OF
MASSES AND ERASE
MEMORY OF ILLEGAL
CONSULSHIP
• “ Caesar had to
everything himself at
once”
• Letters
• CATILINE DEBATE