Ancient Rome and her Ceasars

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Is anyone interested in ancient Roman history, beginning with the first Ceasar, Julius Gaia? I`ve always been interested in his conquest of Gaul over the Celts, his campaigns against the northern European tribes, and his attempts at subduing Britain.

The whole military and politcal meneuverings of Ceasar intrigue me, as well as loyalty from Marcus Antony, his relations with Pompey, Cicero, Cleopatra, and his betrayal by not only the senate, but also his trusted officer of many battle campaigns, Brutus.

What a dramatic life! -- and a dramatic history of the people of Italy and much of Europe and the Mediterranian!
 
strongvoicesforward said:
his betrayal by not only the senate, but also his trusted officer of many battle campaigns, Brutus.
Caesar got what he deserved. He attempted to disable the republic & become a god-like king. Not that his killers were able to save the republic, though.
 
bossel said:
Caesar got what he deserved. He attempted to disable the republic & become a god-like king.

He most certainly did, and he most certainly did.


Not that his killers were able to save the republic, though.

They certainly were not.

Still, the whole story of Caesar is a facinating multifaceted one.
 
bossel said:
He[Caesar] attempted to disable the republic & become a god-like king.

Though he did attempt, if not succeed, in getting himself relegated to the status of a god, he knew his limits about not being able to set up a "kingship."

In fact, he knew it so well, he cleverly orchestrated it so that Mark Antony would offer kingship to him publicliy at a ceremoney so he could decline it and say to the senate and public that he was protecting the republic by not becomng a king.

But, he definately was a tyrant.
 
It's interesting to note that Gaius Julius Caesar was never an emperor (despite the title "Caesar"), and the so-called first Roman Emperor, his nephew Octavian (Augustus), preferred the title of princeps, usually translated as "first citizen".
 
Yes, interesting on that point.

Another point interesting was that the Roman Senate had, even before Gaeus Julius Ceasar assumed the office of dictator, which was always meant to be granted to the Consul for short periods to ram through legislation or in the case of threats to Rome from invading forces, had always enjoyed the political meneuverings of winning the Consulship.

During this tenure of a few years the office of dictator could rule by decree, but it was understood that he would resign this office once the threats had passed. And many did just that prior to Ceasar. However, when Ceasar got in power and was conferred with the title, he had it arranged through the Senate to make the office a life long post for him -- which created resentment from the other politicians in the Senate who were used to a system underwhich they could all vie for the Consulship in competitive rotations or cycles.

Ceasar, by accepting the office of dictator for life sowed the seeds of deep resentment of the Senate and that is what some feel brought about the conspiracy amongst the Senate.
 

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