The Rise of Julius Caesar

Caesar’s ability to win military campaigns allowed him to gain military glory, respect and influence, leading to his appointment as dictator. Upon the completion of his praetorship, Caesar left Rome to govern Hispania Ulterior, a poorer region in which raiding and banditry were the ways of life. This was especially true amongst communities in the mountainous regions who struggled to support themselves via farming. Caesar robustly took these opportunities to attack the mountain communities. His victory marked an important stage in his political career as he was hailed Imperator. This formal acclamation, which entitles a governor to request a triumph on his return to Rome, showed the true support of his soldiers and aided his election to consulship. Furthermore in the Gallic wars, Caesar was victorious against the Helvetti and at Alessia; a result of his brilliant military tactics and strategies. The battle formation that Caesar initiated allowed his soldiers to rely on themselves, rather than on their neighbours, enabling greater flexibility. For example against the Helvetti Caesar deployed a cavalry screen of six legions and additional infantry. But as they advanced on the Helvetti, the enemy outflanked the Roman sides. Due to the formation’ flexibility the rear lines in the legions were able to turn around, allowing his armies to fight on both fronts. The battle against the Helvetti ended with a decisive Roman victory. Similarly at the battle of Alessia, Caesar trapped the Gauls in the village with another smart tactic. He ordered his troops to build trenches and ditches circling eleven miles around Alessia. Violent coordinated attacks by Gallic forces on the Roman siege had no effect. It became clear that the extraordinary Roman defenses were not going to break, and that the failure of the revolt and starvation for those trapped in Alessia were inevitable. Soon after Vercingetoirix, chieftain of the Alessian tribe, surrendered. Therefore due to smart strategies Caesar turned the Gallic War in favour of Rome. Not only did he gain military victory, but Caesar also gained respect from his soldiers. Traditionally, slaves amassed in a campaign were the property of the commanding general, and represented one of the most lucrative sources of income for Caesar. As such, his generous distribution of these slaves to his fellow soldiers only further increased their loyalty. Fortunately his great popularity amongst his armies, along with another smart military strategy, became an important factor in his success in the civil war against Pompey. While Pompey deployed his men in three lines with his most veteran legion on the flanks, Caesar deployed his men in three lines, six men deep. With this strategy, he was able to defeat Pompey. As such through his successful campaigns against the Gauls and Pompey, he was able to prove to his men that under his command, victory was ensured. This, along with his generosity, naturally produced strong loyalty, admiration and popularity amongst his men. Due to his brilliant and astute tactics, Julius Caesar was able to propel his armies to victory during the Gallic Wars and the Civil War, aiding his rise to power and gaining respect and wealth.

Julius Caesar’s astounding ability to make alliances with other politicians and military leaders also allowed him to become a successful politician and military leader himself; and in the end rose to become Rome’s permanent dictator. After receiving a triumph, something that he dreamed of attaining, Caesar sacrificed it immediately to reach consulship. For this sacrifice to have been worthwhile, he needed to embark on greater military adventures following the completion of his year of office. However he knew the Senate was not going to give those opportunities and so in order to make this possible he required influential supporters. As such, he partnered with Pompey and Crassus. These two men had been frustrated in the last few years discovering that their wealth and influence were not sufficient to attain everything they wanted. Pompey wanted land for his veteran soldiers, and Crassus wanted relief for the tax collectors of Asia. While Caesar was very much in need of powerful backers if he was going to gain an important provincial command, Pompey and Crassus wanted a magistrate to introduce and enforce the desired legislation. Each of the men knew that the others would benefit from the arrangement, and were content so long as respective personal aims were achieved. Thus Caesar created a political alliance with them called the First Triumvirate, increasing his political and monetary support. Furthermore Caesar’s daughter Julia married Pompey, creating a powerful political advantage for both men and a bond holding the First Triumvirate together. Thanks to the alliance, Caesar passed his land reform in the Senate with Crassus and Pompey’s support, and gained control over three provinces instead of simply two. Along with his extended province, he was given a special five-year command, which normally should have been only for one year. By gaining three provinces and extending his reign to five years he was able to gain the military and political glory he so wished.

Julius Caesar’s exceptional skill at public speaking was an important factor to his political rise. There were many occurrences where Caesar proved to be one of the best orators of his time. In 77 B.C., Caesar prosecuted Cnaeus Cornelius Dolabella for extortion, and at the trial delivered a speech that greatly impressed onlookers. It was so well executed that Cicero, a well-known orator himself, compared Caesar to a famous actor. In general, famous actors are usually known to be highly skilled at captivating their audiences and this is exactly what Caesar did. Additionally Cicero is recognized for describing Caesar as one of the best orators of the period. He even suggested that if Caesar had concentrated on oratory he would have been a first-place orator. Subsequently during his time as consul, in an attempt to persuade his consular colleague, he stirred up the crowd with his words such that the other senators had no choice but to follow Caesar’s suit. They were not willing to fight the people and their growing excitement. However not only was Caesar convincing on the political stage in Rome, but also on the battlefields amongst his men. During the Gallic Wars, several soldiers complained that the battle against Ariovistus had not been authorized by the Senate, causing them to risk their lives solely for Caesar’s personal ambition. In response, he summoned his six legions and spoke to his soldiers saying “Anyway, even if no one else follows, I shall set out with just the Tenth Legion, for I have no doubt of its loyalty, and it will act as if it were my own guard.” In this short quotation, Caesar challenged his centurions’ pride in themselves and their units. Each unit was determined to not be outshone by the others and as such, asked the senior officers to assure Caesar that there had never been any real question of disobedience. In this example, Caesar demonstrated his ability to say the right things such that others are persuaded to remain loyal to him and his pursuits. Through his oratory skills he was able to captivate the people, garner a reputation as a well-spoken orator and prevent disobedience from his legions, showing his greatness as a political and military leader and convincing orator.

Julius Caesar was a man of action and it is for this that he is remembered. His talents were varied and exceptional, ranging from his skill as an orator and writer, as framer of laws and as political operator, to his superb talent as soldier and general. With these he was able to rise to power, using the political system, military campaign victories and the First Triumvirate. Politically Julius Caesar used the system to his advantage, gaining the people’s support; winning his consul election. Through victorious battles in Gaul and defeating Pompey he gained loyalty and respect as a military leader from his soldiers. His strategic alliance with Pompey and Crassus allowed him to gain political support and resources. His exceptional oratory skills provided his powerfully persuasive and captivating hold on Rome and his armies. What had simply been a name of an aristocratic family became effectively as a title symbolizing supreme power. Even to this day Julius Caesar remains one of a few figures from the ancient world whose name commands instant recognition.