Thesis: Julius Caesar was highly beneficial to Rome because he improved the lives of the
common people, his militaristic accomplishments expanded Rome, and he established
one of the greatest empires of all time.
Counter Argument 1: Caesar was ambitious, but could have very well been power
hungry, and achieved his power for himself.
Response To Counter #1: Though he could may have very well been power hungry, that
doesn’t really matter. Obviously, the people loved him. Rome was in shambles after his
assassination, the people were very upset. Therefore, though he may have wanted to
power, he did the right things with his power.
Argument 1: Julius Caesar improved the quality of living for his own people.
- Before he had a lot of power, he was responsible for organizing entertainment for
the people, he was very good at doing so.1
- He brought about a permanent law against extortion and other social evils.2
Counter Argument 2: Caesar arguably did not have the best tactics. At times when he
was fighting the Gauls, he was taken by surprise and holes in his tactics were exposed.
Response To Counter #2: Though this is true, Caesar still won the battle. He was able to
adapt in the middle of a fight and still reign victorious.
Argument 2: Due to his militaristic accomplishments, Caesar greatly expanded Rome.
- Caesar is known to have never lost a war.
- Caesar’s conquest of Gaul expanded Rome’s geographical boundaries to the
Atlantic Ocean.3
Counter Argument 3: The empire was the last phase in the history of Rome’s
prominence. Rome ended with the Empire crumbling. The empire was eventually
divided, and both the West and East empires fell. It could be argued that Caesar was the
cause of Rome’s downfall.
Response To Counter #3: Yes it’s true that the empire fell. Yet, is Caesar to blame for
that? I think not. All things end eventually. Each phase of Rome had it’s own problems.
The Monarchy, The Republic, and The Empire, they all had issues. The Empire was no
perfect utopia. Yet it was a powerful empire, and lasted for a long time. Caesar is
1
 "Julius Caesar - Ancient Rome for Kids." Julius Caesar - Ancient Rome for Kids.
Web. 03 June 2012. <http://rome.mrdonn.org/caesar.html>.
2
"Julius Caesar." Julius Caesar. Web. 06 June 2012.
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/julius_ceasar.htm>.
3
"Julius Caesar." Julius Caesar. Web. 06 June 2012. <http://www.romanempire.net/republic/caesar.html>.
definitely not to blame, because the man he appointed as successor, did a fantastic job as
emperor.
Argument 3: Caesar established one of the greatest and most powerful empires of all
time.
- The empire had many great leaders. Such as Augustus and Hadrian.
- Many of Rome’s greatest expansions occurred during this period.
- Many building projects were launched, this is when the coliseum was made.4
Sources:
"History." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.enotes.com/history/q-and-a/what-good-things-julius-caesar-do-emperor283793>.
BBC News. BBC. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/caesar_julius.shtml>.
"Aftermath." UNRV History. Web. 23 Mar. 2012. <http://www.unrv.com/fallrepublic/aftermath.php>.
"Julius Caesar: Historical Background." VROMA. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html>.
"Gaius Julius Caesar." C. Julius Caesar. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.livius.org/caa-can/caesar/caesar01.html>.
"Julius Caesar - Ancient Rome for Kids." Julius Caesar - Ancient Rome for Kids. Web.
03 June 2012. <http://rome.mrdonn.org/caesar.html>.
"An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families." Roman Emperors.
Web. 03 June 2012. <http://www.roman-emperors.org/impindex.htm>.
"Julius Caesar." Julius Caesar. Web. 06 June 2012. <http://www.romanempire.net/republic/caesar.html>.
"Julius Caesar." Julius Caesar. Web. 06 June 2012.
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/julius_ceasar.htm>.
4
 "An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families." Roman Emperors.
Web. 03 June 2012. <http://www.roman-emperors.org/impindex.htm>.