JULIUS CAESAR

Hail Caesar

Not many private citizens to build a career with such efficiency that the emperor's name means " ', 2000 years later, in the languages of other people. But this is the case of Julius Caesar, the origin of the Kaiser of Germany and Czar Russia. 

Early in his life of Caesar (c.100 BC - 44 BC) shows a relentless determination. In 75 BC C. is captured by pirates while sailing to Rhodes to study at a famous school oratorical skills (essential for the political Romans). This raises the ransom for their freedom, but also constitutes a private force to hunt pirates. He tracks down and crucified. An old story adds that, while still prisoners, has joked that this is what you want. 

Some 65 a. C. Caesar was deeply indebted in the exercise of political offices, rely on popular vote (which pleases the Romans in particular, with some show of gladiators unusually rich). While cultivating friendship with Crassus, one of the richest men in Rome. Crassus made his first fortune through "prohibition" of Sulla, which was a close follower. 

Crassus is a jealous enemy Pompey, another member nearby Sila. In subsequent years, it is with his military successes in the East, Pompey has won the public image much larger than Crassus. Caesar, on good terms with men, sees benefits in an alliance. 

   

The first Triumvirate: 60-53 a. C.

Pompey, Crassus and Caesar, all complains Senate. Caesar elected consul for the following year, 59 a. C., one would expect a provincial governor in his office has received notice of Italy's forests and cattle trails. Pompey have not been allowed to land, the need for veterans from the dissolution of his army. Crassus has been frustrated to collect a tax return risk in Asia. 

Form of three men, in 60 BC, what is now known as the First Triumvirate. To strengthen the ties marries Pompey in 59, Caesar's only child, Julia (though he is older than his father). With equal cynicism, riots targeted by veterans of Pompey used to persuade senators to change their minds. 

    

Under these circumstances, they do. 

Land is for veterans. The business problems are solved Crassus. And instead of forests and cattle trails that are the emperor's responsibility for two provinces north of Rome - Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul. 

    

Caesar's new provinces, which provide rich opportunities: to recruit soldiers is far from Rome, to be loyal to him alone, to achieve new conquests, to impress the public at home, and to accumulate large personal funds by looting conquered territories. Meanwhile, Pompey stay in Rome, hoping to promote their own interests by political means. 

These are the two most powerful men in the republic. As allies, which is unique. The underlying question is how long will it take before they occur in real colors as rivals. 

    

Year Caesar in Gaul 58-50 BC C.

Caesar is outside Rome for eight years. During this time routinely exposed to the Celtic tribes in Gaul, making alliances with the various forms of many independents. Although experiences beyond their natural boundaries in Gallien - the region framed by the Alps, the Rhine, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees. 

In 55 and 53 again at the bridges over the Rhine in Germany short campaigns. Twice in the same period across the Channel to test the mettle of the Celts in Britain. According to Plutarch, writing 150 years later, this expedition is the first to prove that some scientists skeptical of Rome that Britain really exists. 

    

Caesar's campaigns in Germany and England suggests that he believes that the safety of Gaul. The year 52 BC C. show him wrong. Celts find an inspirational leader Vercingetorix, a young chief of the Auvergne. His first success against the Romans is conditional on the absence of Caesar, there have been winter south of the Alps. But the arrival of the great general is not exactly the distinction that has been accustomed to. 

Caesar is the siege of the city when the attack Gergovia of Vercingetorix and routes in the Roman army, killed the 700th This is the first defeat Caesar in all his years in Gaul. He urges that many strains to come out in support of the rebels. 

    

The next place in the campaign, the situation is reversed. Vercingetorix is potency of Alesia. Caesar and his troops, attempting to blockade the garrison, is threatened by a huge army of Gauls. But when the Romans win the first major battle between the two sides, the Gauls are melting. To save the lives of more Vercingétorix go out of town and delivery - with a dramatic gesture of the Celtic cavalry. 

He is held captive for six years until Caesar is the right time to through the streets of Rome in a triumphal procession. 

    

The Gallic Wars: 52 a. C.

It is probably in the autumn of 52 BC, after his defeat of Vercingetorix, Caesar set in their winter quarters in Bibracte (northwest of modern Lyon) to record for posterity his successes in Gaul in the last six years. 

The title is written at the head of his papyrus is "Notes of Julius Caesar in his performance - even though historians come to know his book simply as The Gallic War. When work is completed, a copy goes to Rome, where he will probably be published in 51st Caesar has been assiduously cultivating support in the capital of political strife to come. The book of his findings are an important impetus in the second campaign. 

    

Caesar and Pompey: 54-48 a. C.

In the early years of the shortage of Roman Caesar, the triumvirate maintains its cohesion. Part of the reason is that the marriage between Pompey and Caesar's daughter, is surprisingly cheerful. But Julia dies at 54 after giving birth to a daughter. In 53 Crassus is killed campaign in Asia, Carras. There is not much now to hide the inevitable rivalry between Pompey and Caesar. 

The senators of Rome, alarmed by the successes of Caesar in Gaul, Pompey bow as their best protection. In an attempt to clip the wings of Caesar, ordered the Senate in December 50 BC, to abandon his command in Gaul and return to Rome as a private citizen. 

    

When Caesar received the message from the Senate, which is in the southern part of its territory in Gaul. The border between the province and central Italy is a little river Rubicon, which runs east to the Adriatic Sea, north of modern Rimini. Caesar's response is immediate. He marches his army south of Rome, across the river, 10 January 49th 

Apart from unfamiliarity with the instructions in the Senate who is against the law for any commander to bring a Roman army outside the province, as he and she is affiliated. Crossing the Rubicon, Caesar deliberately and irrevocably launched a civil war. 

    

Pompey escaped the immediate danger of starting a large army and a fleet of ships back through the Adriatic Sea to Greece. Caesar pursued him there, and the defeat at Pharsalia, in the summer of 48 BC. 

Pompey flees again, this time to Egypt. But their presence is considered a fraction of the court of Ptolemy as a likely source of problems. He is stabbed to death as a step on the ground. 

    

Caesar is only three days ago with his fleet. Their arrival undoubtedly convince the Egyptians that the murder of Pompey has been a wise precaution. While still at sea in Alexandria, Caesar sent is received by the head of his rival, and embalmed. 

Alexandria promises of more conventional pleasures too. The country queen, Cleopatra, is twenty-two years. Caesar is fifty-two and receptive. 

    

Dictator: 48-44 a. C. 

After the victory of Pharsalia Caesar sent his trusted lieutenant of Antony back to Rome. Antonio organizes the Senate to declare Caesar a dictator without a fixed term. 

After months of flirting with Cleopatra, Caesar returned to Rome a long way - up the coast of Asia Minor, where a king rebel demands attention. Caesar conquers quickly: Veni, vidi, vici then declares: "I came, I saw, I conquered". After a short visit to Rome starts again for the winter campaign in Africa, where continued strong support of Pompey. In the spring of 46 BC, the opposition has been suppressed. Now it's time to win with the victory that is celebrated traditionally. 

Triumph of Caesar in Rome over all others. It is spread over four days, which represent different forms his victories in Gaul, Egypt, Asia Minor (accompanied by the triumphant slogan Veni, vidi, vici) and Africa. Procession Each day begins with prisoners is different from the campaigns. Vercingetorix, the Gaul is one of them. Immediately after his appearance is taken away and killed, having already served its purpose. 

Then comes Caesar led his legions (sings songs about his bald blatant general since March), followed by the destruction of campaigns, truck loads of gold. Each soldier has to have a share, according to his rank. There's even a hand out to all the spectators lining the route. 

    

As entertainment, there are reconstructions of battle, a battle to the death between prisoners of war and criminals, a meeting between giraffes and lions. The final event is a celebration of triumph on the streets of 22,000 tables, after Caesar was escorted home by elephants. At the end of each day, more modestly, the stairs on their knees in the temple of Jupiter to present his laurel wreath to the god. The dictator is safely in power. 

Over the next two years makes a profound reform of the administration of Rome, including the introduction of a new calendar. Although plans for a second campaign of conquest, to extend the empire further eastwards. 

But his plans are being cut. Earlier in the year 44 BC to his friends in the Senate adopts a resolution to be dictator for life. There are widespread rumors that he really wants to be king, ending the long tradition of Roman republic. A plot is hatched to cut him down. It is up to sixty people, led by Brutus and Cassius. But it managed to keep a secret. 

On 15 March (Ides of March in the Roman calendar), Caesar is sitting in his seat in the Senate when the strike of the conspirators. More than twenty senators stab him, to share responsibility. Have fallen at the feet of a statue of his old enemy Pompey, stained with blood. 

Caesar's death launched a new civil war. Far from reinforcing the old traditions, which the conspirators hope the chain of events leads in twenty years, until the end of the Roman republic. 

He was replaced by the Roman Empire, and in a strict sense, it is the empire of Caesar. The first five emperors, spanning nearly 100 years, is all in the family of Caesar. Caesar's name is, as it would mean the Emperor.