How Did Julius Caesar Rise To Power

Conversely, Caesar’s military prowess threatened the peace and security of the Roman Empire as the more popularity and power he gained with the populace, the more threatening he became to the freedom of the democracy within the Senate. “Marcus Claudius Marcellus, consul in 51BC, had opened the Campaign for the anti-Caesarians” . One of Caesar’s first actions once being awarded the position of Governor of Gaul, was he commenced increasing his army, some from his own money. He wanted more troops than he was given as governor, creating even more impact in the Roman Republic; “a Campaign was now established by the anti-Caesarians that Caesar should be replaced” . Over the next few years he was to raise a total of 10 legions, roughly 50,000 men
“I shall march with the tenth legion alone. I have not the slightest doubt about their loyalty and they shall be my personal escort as commander” . Caesar’s military prestige exceeded the levels and created even more suspicion of the his rising power by the Senate, “In less than 10 years in Gaul, Caesar successfully stormed over 800 cities, subdued 300 tribes, and fought hand to hand battles against a total of three million warriors, of whom he killed a million, and took as many more prisoner” . Caesars actions in Gaul threatened the so-called peace and security of the Republic, as it created fear among the Senate of Caesar’s large loyal army, and with his enormous popularity base back in Rome they feared he would become another Sulla. Caesar is perceived to be brutal and inhumane due to him viciously attacking the Germans while agreeing to a cease fire and slaughtering the populus. There was “a senatorial enquiry set up to look into the treatment of the peoples of Gaul. Cato proposed in the senate that Caesar not only should apologize to the Germans but should be handed over to those whom he had treated so outrageously”