What Was Julius Caesar A Success Or Failure
Caesar experienced a wide range of political offices in his lifetime. After serving in military campaigns under Marcus Thermus and Servilius Isauricus, he was awarded the civic crown for saving a citizen in battle. Consequently, in 72 BCE, he held his first political office as military tribune, “which was conferred on him by vote of the people after his return to Rome” (Suetonius, 36). Later on, about five years later, he was elected quaestor and had a seat in the Roman Senate. As quaestor, it was his duty to oversee the treasury and handle all of the state’s financial affairs. Shortly after, he was given the title of aedile, in which he was “responsible for maintenance of public buildings and regulation of public festivals. [He] also had powers to enforce public
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order” (Suetonius, 37). He gained lots of popularity for his tendency to spend unsparingly on games, plays, and gladiator fights.
Caesar spent so lavishly in hopes to obtain the office of pontifex maximus, or better known as “the high priest.” Though there were accusations of bribery, which could very likely be true, he “decisively defeated two very strong competitors, [regardless that] they were greatly his superiors in age and rank” (Suetonius, 39). (His victory could also be due to the fact that his candidacy split the two older men’s votes.) As the high priest, it was his job to expurgate public morals and to be concerned with the sanctifying of public acts. In 62 BCE, Caesar was elected praetor; that is, it was his duty to serve as a judge of the Republic and to be in charge of the army when the consul was absent. He later ran for consul, and won, in 59 BCE. Aligned with Bibulus on the grounds of significant financial means, his goal was to “promise largess to the electors,” but also to pay off the massive debt he accumulated overtime with all of his flashy parties (Suetonius, 39). Though he was supposed to serve alongside Bibulus, he began to handle “all the affairs of state alone and after his own pleasure” (Suetonius,
40). A year later, in 58 BCE, Caesar became governor of Gaul for nine years, where he conquered what is now Europe and several other lands, thus immensely expanding Roman rule. Later, the Roman Senate decided there only need be one consul. He pushed to be elected consul again, and won, by way of military force, strategy, and bribery.
This begs the question: How did a mere soldier grow to be the Roman Empire’s consul, let alone, dictator? In every campaign and political position held by Caesar, he gained tons of support from the people in various ways. He formed crucial alliances with whoever need be in order to obtain power, married whoever would boost his political reputation, weaved peace by offering his female relatives in marriage to those who opposed him. One alliance of his that particularly stands out is known as “The First Triumvirate.” Caesar aligned himself with Pompey and Crassus, two strong political front-runners at the time, in order to rise to be consul for the second time. Together, they replaced their own enemies with newly elected officials, consequently creating a machine that couldn’t be stopped.
order” (Suetonius, 37). He gained lots of popularity for his tendency to spend unsparingly on games, plays, and gladiator fights.
Caesar spent so lavishly in hopes to obtain the office of pontifex maximus, or better known as “the high priest.” Though there were accusations of bribery, which could very likely be true, he “decisively defeated two very strong competitors, [regardless that] they were greatly his superiors in age and rank” (Suetonius, 39). (His victory could also be due to the fact that his candidacy split the two older men’s votes.) As the high priest, it was his job to expurgate public morals and to be concerned with the sanctifying of public acts. In 62 BCE, Caesar was elected praetor; that is, it was his duty to serve as a judge of the Republic and to be in charge of the army when the consul was absent. He later ran for consul, and won, in 59 BCE. Aligned with Bibulus on the grounds of significant financial means, his goal was to “promise largess to the electors,” but also to pay off the massive debt he accumulated overtime with all of his flashy parties (Suetonius, 39). Though he was supposed to serve alongside Bibulus, he began to handle “all the affairs of state alone and after his own pleasure” (Suetonius,
40). A year later, in 58 BCE, Caesar became governor of Gaul for nine years, where he conquered what is now Europe and several other lands, thus immensely expanding Roman rule. Later, the Roman Senate decided there only need be one consul. He pushed to be elected consul again, and won, by way of military force, strategy, and bribery.
This begs the question: How did a mere soldier grow to be the Roman Empire’s consul, let alone, dictator? In every campaign and political position held by Caesar, he gained tons of support from the people in various ways. He formed crucial alliances with whoever need be in order to obtain power, married whoever would boost his political reputation, weaved peace by offering his female relatives in marriage to those who opposed him. One alliance of his that particularly stands out is known as “The First Triumvirate.” Caesar aligned himself with Pompey and Crassus, two strong political front-runners at the time, in order to rise to be consul for the second time. Together, they replaced their own enemies with newly elected officials, consequently creating a machine that couldn’t be stopped.