Gauis Julius Caesar example essay topic

Julius Caesar Vini, Vidi, Vici (The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations 10-3-99) which in English means I came, I saw, I conquered. This was Julius Caesars motto when he was a soldier and invading different provinces. For this quote to still be recognized today is a compliment to Caesars importance and fame at the time. Julius Caesar is considered by some historians to be Romes greatest genius.

He changed a chaotic, old system of government into the basis for a new one that produced the greatest of all the ancient empires. (10-6-99) It has been said that no other man in the world symbolized military or political strength more than Julius Caesar did. While Caesar was a great Roman ruler without a doubt, his personal life somewhat resembled a modern day soap opera. There were many stories about Caesar. One of them was about him being captured by pirates in the eastern Mediterranean. The pirates were holding him captive and were asking a ransom of 20 talents.

Caesar joked that he would give 50 talents for his life. He then vowed to come back and hang them all. Sure enough, a few weeks after the ransom was paid and he was released, Caesar returned, captured, and hung every last one of them. (10-2-99) Gaius Julius Caesar was born on July 12,100 B.C... (web 10-5-99) He was born into the Julia family, an ancient but not distinguished Roman family. Julius got married in 84 B.C. to Cornelia. Through this marriage, Gauis Marius became Juliuss uncle.

Marius was the leader of the Populares, a group that was pushing for change in Rome. As always, there are always groups that oppose each other. This was not an exception. Sulla, the leader of the Optimates, a reaction ist group, was completely against Marius views. Marius would hav a big effect on young Juliuss life whether he wanted to or not. Eventually, the Optimates came into rule in Rome.

This was not good for Julius because his uncle was a bitter enemy of the dictator. Sulla demanded that Caesar divorce his wife because of her relationship to Gauis Marius. Caesar refused to divorce his wife and was left with virtually no other choice than to leave Rome until Sulla resigned which was 78 B.C... Before he resigned though, Sulla made one prediction about Caesars future. He said One day, the stubborn boy will become dangerous. (Gauis Julius Caesar 10-3-99) After Caesar had survived death once, he decided to enter the army.

He would eventually go on to an amazing military career. Caesar steadily climbed the ranks of the army, and after a few years, was able to return home. Caesar then went on to serve as a general in the army against Spartacus. He remarried to a wealthy wife, and allied himself with Marcus Licinius Crassus, and Pompey the Great. This three-way alliance was known as the first Triumvirate. (Encarta 98 Encyclopedia 10-6-99) This Triumvirate controlled the government of Rome.

Around 58 B.C. Caesar found new allies in Celtic Gaul. Gaul was still independent at this time. Caesar decided to take over Gaul, and marched there with six legions of soldiers. Within a year, Rome was in control over most of Gaul. After taking over Gaul, Caesar remained there for a while. While he was there, his associates attempted to dominate the politics of Rome.

Pompey tried to make the most of Caesars absence. He assumed full power over Rome. As a result, the Roman Senate asked Caesar to disband his army in Gaul and come back to Rome. Instead, in 49 B.C. Caesar swept through southern Italy and into Rome. Pompey fled into Greece. Caesar was not happy with letting him get away, so in 48 B.C. Caesars army swept through Greece and destroyed Pompey forces.

Pompey however, escaped into Egypt. he was assassinated there a year later. Within one year of Caesars return, he was master of all Italy. (Microsoft Inc. Gauis Julius Caesar) The traditional constitution of Rome stated that a dictator hold office for only six months, and in a dire emergency. Caesar completely shattered this rule and appointed himself dictator for life. (10-6-99) Even after appointing himself dictator for such an extended period of time, Caesar took it one step further by appointing himself counsel for ten years.

Traditionally, counsels only served in one year increments. This was an amazing show of power from Julius. During the time he ruled, military strength was always his main asset. That is how he kept his power, by being in total control of his armies. It was once said of Caesar that he was Every mans woman, and every womans man.

(The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations 10-3-99) Not every person in Rome felt this way about Caesar. He didnt really do much to keep their favor either though. He offended them by having his statue built next to the early kings of Rome. One of Caesars more unpopular acts was when he refused to accept a crown that Mark Anthony had set upon his head. (10-4-99) Caesars unpopularity grew so much that a plot to assassinate him was soon forming. By the time it actually got carried out, sixty Roman senators were involved.

Many of them were Republicans who had long ago fallen out of favor with Caesar. Out of the group was a young Republican named Brutus. Brutus was a friend of Caesars, and would play a big part in his assassination. The plan to assassinate Caesar was to be carried out at the Meeting of the Senate on March 15th, 44 B.C... Somehow Caesar did not know of the fate that awaited him at the Meeting.

His wife however, had a feeling that something bad would happen and warned him not to go. (10-5-99) Julius Caesar did not listen to his wifes warning and attended the Meeting. When he arrived, his attackers surrounded him with daggers. At first Caesar put up a struggle, but when he saw Brutus among the attackers, he quit struggling and said Et tu Brute which means You too, Brutus Caesar was repeatedly stabbed, and then finally, he pulled his toga over his head and fell lifeless at the feet of the statues of the early Roman kings. (10-3-99) Gauis Julius Caesar was without a doubt a great leader. He once said In war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes.

(The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations 10-6-99) One of his only downfalls was the fact that he got greedy and did not want to give up his position as ruler. If he would have gave way for another ruler, he might not have been assassinated. But then again, if he would have given way to another person, he might not be looked upon as a great Roman ruler. 322.