Allison McNeese
Origins of the Western Tradition
04/24/2016
Amy McGlynn
Book Review: Julius Caesar’s “The Conquest of Gaul”
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Between the years 58 B.C.E and 50 B.C.E., Gaius Julius Caesar conquered almost the whole of France as well as Belgium, Switzerland and parts of Germany; he also found time to invade Britain twice. Julius Caesar was a Roman statesman and general who played a critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He amassed great power through clever political alliances and military victories. Caesar recorded his conquests in great detail which provides valuable historical text to refer to; however it must be kept in mind that it is a clear piece of propaganda. As the saying goes, the winner gets to write history. Nonetheless, Caesar’s writings are a unique firsthand source on his conquests in Gaul and the various Gallic tribes he came up against.
Central themes evident in his memoir are war, devotion and persuasion. Caesar was clear to outline in his commentaries how each of his campaigns was in the best interest of the republic. He depicted himself as a loyal servant to the Roman people and therefore portrayed his actions and decisions in the most favorable way possible. Those who would have read his work at the time would have felt inspired and consequently considered him a hero. Caesar’s books were intended to aid future historians in telling his story accurately and [in a way
Utilizing the four steps of battle analysis, this paper sets forth to describe Julius Caesar’s first invasion in Britain in 55 BC, the key players, why Caesar failed and how the outcome could have been in his favor had he collected sufficient intelligence prior to his mission.
In the determination of whether Julius Caesar was an intelligent, political hero or an egocentric, dictating villain, it is important to look at all of the facts. Born in 100 B.C.E. and assassinated in 44 B.C.E., Julius Caesar was legendary. He along Pompey, and Crassus created the first unofficial Triumvirate which was negotiated to appease both the Roman citizens and the power hungry rivals. Still, this agreement would not last long. After Pompey’s wife, Julia Caesar and daughter of Caesar’s daughter given to Pompey to establish the Trimvirate, dies in childbirth, civil war breaks out as Caesar leads his army against Rome. He fights until Pompey is murdered in Egypt. As Rome is “shattered,” Julius Caesar one person should rule. He
Julius Caesar The character motivation of Julius Caesar “A coward dies many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste death but once." Julius Caesar was a brave man. He never lost a war. He defeated the forces of Pompey after a long civil war.
Julius Caesar, a Roman general, dictator, and leader, is considered to be one of history 's most influential and powerful rulers to this day, in which his rise to power, conquest of Europe, and controversial downfall all remain to be told during modern days. The play Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, portrays the events leading up to Julius Caesar’s assassination, and how those who conspired against him banded together and plotted Caesar’s demise. Many of those conspirators assassinated Caesar due to his quick rise to absolute power, his “acts” of disrespect against the senate such as his failing to stand to receive the title of becoming a “god,” and pure jealousy and anger towards Caesar’s success and rule over the Roman empire. Caesar, an ambitious man, was able to conquer many lands and peoples for Rome through successful military campaigns in which he became one Rome’s best generals due to the amount of successful battles he had won and the amount of blood he had shed for Rome’s expansion. However, Caesar’s trait of ambitiousness would prove to be a double edged sword.
Julius Caesar was a spellbinding orator and a ruthless politician, although he was merciful in victory, understanding that such favors would return political dividends. He was also a military genius and his legions loved him for his courage and skill, and for fighting bareheaded among their ranks. Caesar was a great man, however, sometimes his actions would prove people wrong. Occasionally crowds had protested against him and it has mostly been over a specific grievance. Many people of Rome will not deny the fact
Julius Caesar’s desired conquest, to take power caused him to expand the Roman Empire, this makes him a good leader because he’s taking action. He wouldn’t want people to control him, he would want to control them. Caesar’s conquest of Gaul resulted in him becoming governor. How many times did he lose battle out of his nine years there? Only two. During this time, he conquered all land east of the Rhine River (World Book). Britain was invaded twice by Caesar’s troops which reflects that he was motivated to take control of
“The condition that exists when people have developed effective ways of organizing a society and care about art, science, etc.” This is the definition of civilization. So when I explain the different characteristics of the western civilizations, which is mainly made up of all the countries in the world that have roots that go way back to ancient Greece. Although western societies have a lot of similarities as todays and other civilizations, it’s still tend to be known to as pretty rare, mainly in the way “western” think and believe. Western people thinking investigates something that is thought to be true and questions it, they were the type of humans to heavily test everyone’s mind. They would challenge one another to think outside of what
Julius Caesar was a very influential figure in Roman history. Many features of the Roman Empire came from his reign as dictator. But what, specifically, were some of those great achievements? In this research paper, I will explain Julius Caesar’s youth, the Roman Republic before Caesar came to power, the Roman government before Caesar became dictator-for-life, the effects of Julius Caesar, the reasons for his assassination, and what affects there were when the public learned about his assassination.
First of all, it should be noted that the number of sources which describe the life and the rule of Julius Caesar is limited to just a few. In this essay, the work of one of the most renowned Roman historiographers: Caius Suetonius Tranquilus, will be used. In his book, The Twelve Caesars, he provides extensive information about the life Julius Caesar. The most remarkable fact about this great leader is that he started to establish the image of himself as a divine ruler sent by the Gods to rule over the peoples of Rome. During his quaestorship in 69 BC, Caesar delivered a speech on a funeral praising his aunt: "
Julius Caesar’s exceptional leadership skills begin with his victories in the Gallic Wars. The Gallic Wars were battles in Gaul with Caesar and his men fighting various rebelling Gallic tribes. These Gallic rebellions were caused by a population boom within the tribes of Gaul, causing them to leak into Roman territory (Gallic
There were many reasons to why Julius Caesar wrote his book over the Gallic War. One of these reasons was to help inspire the people of Rome. Rome had just been sacked by the Gaul, creating tension between the Roman people and the Celtic tribes. The growing resentment towards the Gallic people spread like wildfire as political turmoil rise. Although the Romans were very tenacious and persevering, this did not stop the morale blow that many Romans felt.
Julius Caesar is perhaps the most well known in the history of Roman Emperors, yet there is no denying that his reign was filled with controversy, no reason more so than his devious rise to power and his mischievous ways of suppressing the senate. There is no doubt that in ruling as a Dictator; Caesar lost the support of the Roman people, who had fought for freedom against an Etruscan King, a role in which Caesar was playing. His death in 44BC coincided with what many believe to be the year in which the Republic completely its eventual ‘fall’ that it had been plummeting to since 133BC, and it is only by looking at the differences in the end of his reign to that of Augustus’ in 27BC that
Julius Caesar was undoubtedly a man who changed history. His life and its story have inspired generations of awe and scrupulous study. Many would argue he is the most influential man in recorded history. However, can the great Caesar truly be declared a ‘event-making man’, according to the criteria of the Great Man Theory? Did he truly influence the course of history through his own extraordinary acts of will and leadership? Or was he simply a fortunate man who appeared in the right place at the right time, being only the pawn of a greater scheme? By following and exploring the political ideals and abilities of Caesar, as well as his military ability and prowess, this essay hopes to clearly
'I came, I saw, I conquered.' These are the words of the man who changed the history of the world. This paper will show how no other man in the history of the world represented military and political power better than Julius Caesar. He became a legend for his military exploits and great leadership ability.
Much of Caesar 's life is known from his own accounts of his military campaigns, and from other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the historical writings of Sallust. The later biographies of Caesar by Suetonius and Plutarch are also major sources. Caesar is considered by many historians to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.