==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Caesar One.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bust of Julius Caesar]]Julius Caesar is one of the most famous leaders from of the ancient world. His life and death are very well-known and still fascinatecaptivate people. He is regarded as not only one of the greatest generals who ever lived and the man , but he who ended destroyed the Roman Republic and paved the way for the Imperial system. This article will examine how Caesar was able to rise to supreme power. It will present His ascent shifted the key events and the factors that allowed him Roman Republic to become the dominant factor in the Roman World and to become the Emperor in all but name. This study will demonstrate that there were three key reasons for the rise of Caesar and these were his role in the First Triumvirate, his conquest of Gaul and his victories in the Civil Wars. These were the key stages in Caesar’s rise to the ultimate position in Rome. [[File:Caesar One.jpgEmpire.|200px|thumb|left|Bust of Julius Caesar]]
==Caesar’s Early Life==How did Caesar was born to a patrician Roman family who had once been very influential rise to Emperor in the Roman Republic. However, by ? There were three key reasons for the time rise of Caesar’s birthCaesar: his role in the First Triumvirate, their fortunes had been in decline for many years his conquest of Gaul and they were no longer prominent, although his father did serve as a governor <ref> Freeman, Philipvictories during the Civil Wars. Julius CaesarThese were the key stages in Caesar’s career that allowed him to become the Emperor of Rome. Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16</ref>. We know very little about ====Caesar’s Early Life====Caesar's childhood. Through his aunt, he was related born to Gaius Mariusa patrician Roman family that had once been very influential in the Republic. However, by the great general and this led the young Julius to become associated with the popular (populares) party time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had been in Romedecline for many years. These were aristocrats who had allied themselves with Despite the poor. By the time he was sixteendecline of their family's reputation, he was head of his family after the early death of his fatherdid serve as a governor. At this time<ref> Freeman, the bloody civil war between Marius Philip. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]. Simon and his enemy SullaSchuster, head of the aristocratic or optimates party2008), p. After Sulla occupied Rome, Caesar had to go into hiding so he would not become another victim of the bloody proscriptions16</ref> Plutarch, Life of We know very little about Caesar's childhood. Through his aunt, vi</ref>. When he was related to Gaius Marius regained control of , the city, Caesar married a leading politicians daughter and became great general. This encouraged the young Julius to become associated with the high priest of JupiterMarius's popular (populares) party in Rome. HoweverThese were aristocrats who had allied themselves with the poor. By the time he was sixteen, when Sulla recaptured Rome, Caesar he was stripped the head of his wealth and family after the early death of his officefather. He decided to join At this time, there was an ongoing bloody civil war between Marius and his Sulla, the army and served in Asia Minor and was decorated for braveryhead of the aristocratic or optimates party. Later after he After Sulla occupied Rome, Caesar was kidnapped by pirates in danger because of his party. He went into hiding so he led a successful punitive expedition against them and was once again decorated for bravery. Caesar returned to Rome and became one would not become another victim of the leader of the Marian party or popular party bloody proscriptions.<ref>Plutarch, viiLife of Caesar, vi</ref>When Marius regained control of the city, Caesar married a leading politicians daughter and became the high priest of Jupiter. He was able to become very prominent in However, when Sulla recaptured Rome because , Caesar was stripped of his lavish expenditure wealth and his office. He decided to join the army and served in Asia Minor and it was at this time that decorated for bravery. Later after he was kidnapped by pirates he forged led a political alliance with Crassus one of the richest men in the city. Caesar successful punitive expedition against them and was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of once again decorated for bravery. Caesar returned to Rome and secured himself became one of the governorship leaders of a province in Spainthe Marian party or popular party. In <ref>Plutarch, vii</ref> He became very prominent in Rome because of his new province he defeated some rebellious tribes and was accorded lavish expenditures. He also forged a Triumph and he was later nominated to the office of Consulpolitical alliance with Crassus, one of the most important roles in Rome (60 AD)'s richest men. At this stage, Caesar had a rather conventional career or the cursus honorum as it was known in was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of Rome and one that was typical secured himself the governorship of a man of province in Spain. In his class. However, new province he defeated some rebellious tribes and was accorded a series of events which were brilliantly manipulated by Caesar Triumph and his military genius meant that he was later nominated to become the single most powerful Roman who livedoffice of Consul, up to that point and one of the man who was to change most important roles in Rome forever <ref> Grant, Michael(60 AD). The Twelve Caesars (New York: Penguin BooksAt this stage, 1979), p 15Caesar had a rather conventional career or the <i>cursus honorum</refi>as it was known in Rome and one that was typical of a man of his class. [[File: However, a series of events which were brilliantly manipulated by Caesar Oneand his military genius meant that he was to become the single most powerful Roman who lived, up to that point and the man who was to change Rome forever.jpg.|200px|thumb|left|Bust of Julius Caesar]]<ref>Grant, Michael. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486822192/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=First Triumvirate1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=By 59 BCE0486822192&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=707967b3998ed8e0ee4b02e887ee7b50 The Twelve Caesars]</i> (New York: Penguin Books, Caesar was one of the most important political figures in Rome1979), mainly because of his connections to the old supporters of Marius and, he appears to have been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans <ref> Plutarch, vixp 15</ref>. The {{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====First Triumvirate====By 59 BCE, Caesar was one of the most important political situation figures in Rome was chaotic and political violence was common, often orchestrated by gangs connected mainly because of his connections to leading public figuresthe old supporters of Marius. In this situation, nothing could get done and there was political gridlockHe also appears to have been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans. <ref> Plutarch, vix</ref> The Senate wanted to control all aspects of political life as they had since the early days of the Republic. Howeversituation in Rome was chaotic and political violence was common, many aristocrats were frustrated often orchestrated by the conservatism of the Senators and believed that it gangs connected to leading public figures. In this situation, nothing could get done and there was incapable of any meaningful decisionspolitical gridlock. Some The Senate wanted to control all aspects of political life as they had since the early days of the Republic. However, many aristocrats were frustrated by the conservatism of the leading figures in Rome at the time decided to come together Senators and to enter believed that it was incapable of any meaningful decisions. Some of the leading figures in Rome at the time decided to come together and to enter an informal alliance in order to provide some stability and to secure their own political aims.<ref>Holland, Tom. Rubicon<i>[https: The Last //www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic ]</i> (London, Anchor Press, 2003), p. 134</ref>. Pompey, sometimes known as Pompey the Great was hailed by his contemporaries as a great general. While still a young man he had secured a series of victories which stabilized the Roman Republic and greatly expanded it. In a series of campaigns, he conquered a vast area around the Black Sea and the modern Middle East. He was revered in the city but not even he could persuade the Senate to grant his veterans lands. Crassus was very wealthy, and he wanted to translate this into political power. These two men entered into an alliance and they invited Caesar to join their informal arrangement. The richest man in Rome and its most famous soldier needed the young aristocrat, because of his links to the populares. They needed him to help them to obtain the votes that they needed to make sure that they could achieve their political goals and also guarantee at least some level of stability in the city. The Triumvirate was not an arrangement that was based on shared views or aims but was designed to help the trio to further their ambitions. This arrangement benefitted Caesar immensely it allowed him to pay off some of his debts and to extend his influence in the city. Most importantly it allowed him to become Consul in 59AD and to initiate a series of reforms aimed at benefiting the ordinary Roman, which made him wildly popular in certain segments of society .<ref>Holland, p 156</ref>. This allowed him to establish a network of supporters such as Clodius who were to protect and advance his interests. Moreover, his consulship allowed him the command of four legions and a province, in what is now southern France. This was to allow him to embark on his military career which was to be the key to his success. ====Gallic Wars====[[File: Caesar Two.jpg|300px|thumb|left|A Gallic chieftain submitting to Caesar]]Some allies of the Romans in Gaul (modern France and Belgium) were defeated by Germanic tribes. This was used by Caesar as a pretext to intervene into in Gaul and to begin its conquest. Caesar was to prove to be a general of genius.<ref>Grant, p. 98</ref>. He defeated the Germanic tribes with great brutality. The Gaul in the North and West were alarmed by the appearance of Romans and they began to form defensive alliances. These were interpreted by Caesar as a threat to the Romans even though this may not have been the case. He ordered his legions to march to the far north of Gaul and he conquered much of the area and later he also extended Roman influence into to the south-west. Caesar had begun the conquest of Gaul without the sanction of the Senate and many regarded his campaign as an illegal war. At a conference in Lucca in 55 BCE at this Caesar was able to extend his consulship, and his command in Gaul for another five years. However, many fierce tribes such as the Belgae continued to resist Romans and <dh-ad/> Caesar was involved in much fierce fighting. He did find the time to launch a raid on Britain. The Roman general was a great propagandist and he wrote reports on his campaigns that informed the public of his achievements. These are considered to be classics of Latin Literature. While Caesar was popular with many , he was hated by many Senators in Rome. He continued his campaigns and at the Battle of Alessia he won a decisive victory, which that ended the conflict. After his victory, Caesar had the command of a large army of seasoned troops who were loyal to him and many partisans in his native city. Much of the wealth he made in Gaul was used to finance his supporters. Caesar had by now even eclipsed Pompey. However, the Senate wanted to strip him of his army and to prosecute him. This led him to demand that he be allowed to retain control of his legions . He needed them to protect his interests when . When this was refused , Caesar crossed the Rubicon and occupied Rome. While it was an aggressive step to take, which he saw Caesar justified it as an act of self-defence defense against those who would harm him and his supporters.<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>.[[File: Caesar Two.jpg.|200px|thumb|left|A Gallic chieftain submitting to Caesar]] ==== Civil Wars (49-44 BCE)== Civil Wars (49-44 BCE)==<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles====*[[What made Julius Caesar was by now the most powerful man in Rome, but he had many enemies. Pompey and his old foes the conservative Senators formed an alliance against Caesar. However, they had no legions at their disposal in Italy and they fled to the Balkans. Here they assembled a number of legions. The majority of the Roman Senate joined the Pompeiians as they came to be known and they controlled most great general?]]*[[Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?]]*[[How did Caesar's conquest of Gaul change both Rome and Gaul?]]*[[What were the Eastern provinces consequences of the Roman Empire. Caesar knew he was vulnerable and that many 's assassination?]]{{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=3}}</div>Caesar was by now the most powerful man in Italy hated himRome, despite his generally tolerant and benign rulebut he had many enemies. He knew that he had to defeat Pompey. Caesar took several legions to the Balkans and confronted his old foes the army of Pompeyconservative Senators formed an alliance against Caesar. This campaign was very difficult for Caesar However, they had no legions at their disposal in Italy and he was lucky they fled to escape a decisive defeatthe Balkans. Here they assembled a number of legions. The conqueror majority of the Gaul’s manoeuvred Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern Greece. Caesar Roman Senate joined the Pompeiians as they came to be known and they controlled most of the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Caesar knew he was out-numbered, vulnerable and his opponent was a great general. Howeverthat many in Italy hated him, despite his generally tolerant and benign rule. He knew that he had to defeat Pompey. Caesar prevailed at Pharsalus took several legions to the Balkans and smashed confronted the army of Pompey. This did not end the civil warcampaign was very difficult for Caesar and he was lucky to escape a decisive defeat. The victor returned to Rome and based on his success and conqueror of the assertation that his enemies were a threat to the Republic he had himself declared Dictator, by the rump of the Senate who had not fled Gaul’s maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in 50 BCEmodern Greece. This Caesar was an office that gave him extraordinary powersout-numbered, and he his opponent was effectively a great general. However, Caesar prevailed at Pharsalus and smashed the sole ruler army of the Roman RepublicPompey. He left Mark Anthony in control of This did not end the civil war. The victor returned to Rome and Italy<ref> "Suetonius, Life of Caesar, LXXIV</ref>. Pompey escaped, after Pharsalus and he and other senators vowed based on his success and the assertation that his enemies were a threat to continue the war. Caesar was even after Pharsalus still not master of the Roman World. Pompey was killed Republic he had himself declared Dictator, by a Roman renegade on the orders rump of the PharaohSenate who had not fled in 50 BCE. This was an office that gave him extraordinary powers, but his adherents continued and he was effectively the sole ruler of the fightRoman Republic. The Pompeiians seized He left Mark Anthony in control of Africa Rome and SpainItaly. <ref> Suetonius, Life of Caesar fought wars all over the Mediterranean , LXXIV</ref> Pompey escaped, after Pharsalus and he emerged victorious. He knew that all long as his enemies were in and other senators vowed to continue the field that he war. Caesar was even after Pharsalus still not securemaster of the Roman World. Caesar finally defeated his enemies at Pompey was killed by a Roman renegade on the Battle orders of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain. After there was no real resistance to the rule Pharaoh, but his adherents continued the fight. The Pompeiians seized control of Africa and Spain. Caesar fought wars all over the Mediterranean and he returned to Rome and he had himself appointed Dictator for lifeemerged victoriously. He was by 44 AD the supreme leader knew that all long as his enemies were in the Roman World and field that he was arguably not secure. Caesar finally defeated his enemies at the first Emperor Battle of Munda in Roman history, although 45 BCE in Spain. After there was no real resistance to the majority rule of authorities hold that Augustus was the first Emperor<ref> Osgood, Josiah. Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and he returned to Rome and he had himself appointed Dictator for life. He was by 44 AD the Emergence of supreme leader in the Roman Empire (Cambridge, Cambridge University PressWorld and he was arguably the first Emperor in Roman history, 2006) palthough the majority of authorities hold that Augustus was the first Emperor. 60</ref>Osgood, Josiah. This was based largely on his military prowess and his success on countless battlefields around Europe and the Middle East.[[File<i>[https: Caesar 3//www.jpgamazon.|200px|thumb|left|A medieval manuscript showing Pompey fleeing Caesar]]com/gp/product/0521671779/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521671779&linkCode=Conclusionas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78feb0248f30b4a6c2cfaa0048334c9f Caesar was a remarkable leader 's Legacy: Civil War and the secret Emergence of his success the Roman Empire]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006) p. 60</ref> This was that he was able to seize any opportunity in both the military based largely on his military prowess and his success on countless battlefields around Europe and in the political arenaMiddle East. This young man who came from an aristocratic family ====Conclusion====Caesar was a remarkable leader and the secret to his success was that had been long in decline he was able to use his many talents to seize any opportunity in both the military and in the political arena. This young man who came from an aristocratic family that had been long in decline was able to use his many talents to become the sole rule of Rome and to be the architect of the Roman Imperial System. Caesar was able to achieve this because of the following. He was a member of the popular party and he was eventually able to secure an ascendancy over this political group. Based on his support and influence he participate participated in the informal arrangement known as the First Triumvirate. This informal political alliance elevated him to become one of the most important politicians in Rome. This allowed him to become Consul and to command a force of legions. It also enabled him to undertake the conquest of Gaul. This was not sanctioned but the support of the other parties in the Triumvirate allowed him to continue the conquest of Gaul. In the aftermath of the conquest of Gaul , he was able to occupy Rome and to defeat his opponents in a series of wars. This allowed him to dominate Rome, but his glory was to be short-lived and he was assassinated in 44 BCE. ====Suggested Readings====* Goldsworthy, Adrian, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300126891/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300126891&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e3d7ca205d235ca4f80c8f42d215447a Caesar: Life of a Colossus]</i> (Yale University Press, 2008)* Freeman, Philip. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]</i>. Simon and Schuster, 2008)* Grant, Michael. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486822192/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486822192&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=707967b3998ed8e0ee4b02e887ee7b50 The Twelve Caesars]</i> (New York: Penguin Books, 1979)* Osgood, Josiah. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521671779/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521671779&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78feb0248f30b4a6c2cfaa0048334c9f Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006)* Holland, Tom. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic] (London, Anchor Press, 2003)* Goodman, Rob. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250042623/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250042623&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4c9157524f8c44ff12d67a6dff4613ad Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato: Mortal Enemy of Caesar]'' (St. Martin's Griffen, 2014) ====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Roman History]][[Category:Julius Caesar]][[Category:Ancient History]]
