Julius Caesar

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Roman Empire: Political Julius Caesar
Analysis
The article presents an interesting part of the history of the Roman Empire, including the rise to power and the eventual demise of one of its greatest leaders, Julius Caesar. The article contains important and interesting information on the events that brought to an end the Roman Republic, one of the greatest civilizations in the ancient period. The history of the Roman Empire has been interesting to many historians, including the controversy surrounding the rise and death of Julius Caesar. The article presents the history of the empire, from the introduction of the Roman system of government, which was effective during the period of the city-state before the expansion to a vast empire (Carson). During the initial period of the expansion, the system was still effective, but with the increase in the problems that emerged, it could no longer work well. The problems with the consulate suggested that it was time for a more effective system of government to be sought.
Major changes occurred under the leadership of various governors and military leaders, including Marius, who controlled the army in the defeat of Celtic raiders in Cisalpine Gaul. Sulla also brought about major changes before resigning his powers in 79. This opened room for more ambitious leaders including Pompey who was able to secure commands against the Mediterranean’s pirates in 67, as well as in the East, the Mithridates in 66. These were the predecessors of Caesar, whose effects on the empire were different.

Carson (1957) suggests that the rise of Caesar to power was out of the same ambitions has had brought Pompey to power. He was out to gain more success than his predecessors and win more land for the Roman Empire (Carson). Since he could not gain more successes in the East like the previous leaders had done, he eyed Gaul. He was involved in serious conflicts with Pompey which led him to cross the Rubicon into metropolitan Italy in 49 BC.
Historians have documented the exploits and successes of Caesar and the role he played in the expansion of the Roman Empire. It took him time to win against Pompey by defeating him at Pharsalus in 49 BC. Caesar then won against Cato at Thapsus in 46. At Munda in Spain in 45, Caesar won against Labienus and Sextus Pompey. With these defeats, Caesar had gained a lot of power and supremacy. Nonetheless, he was restricted by the constitution, especially towards the end of the way against the Pompeian regions. He was an autocratic leader, but with restrictions forced by the constitution. However, this did not hinder his dictatorship, being the fourth time dictator by the end of 45 (Carson). Although there have been controversies surrounding the nature of his leadership, there is no doubt that he was an all time dictator. However, there is an interesting element to note as indicated in the article. The concept of dictatorship within the Roman Republic meant something different from what it means in the modern politics.
While dictatorship today means the use of supreme power in an unconstitutional manner, at the time it meant the office, founded under the dictates of the constitution, where the leader was elected during a time of crisis. As Sulla did, the dictator was expected to resign once the crisis ended. The concept of dictator perpetuus was used about Caesar because his dictatorship was meant for life. Caesar was offered the consulship at the end of 45. With his status, Caesar was able to control the entire army on his own. With this power, the leader has a lot of power to use to expand the empire even more (Carson). While marred by controversy, the expression of the autocratic power by Caesar made it possible to further expand the empire by continued conquering of more lands for the empire. He probably aimed at creating an empire which would persist long after he was gone.
There is evidence from various historical sources, as suggested in the article, to suggest that Caesar main intention was to create a monarchy. However, it was evident that at the time the Romans were not very familiar with the concept. Nonetheless, the focus of Caesar in conjuring monarchies that led to his encounter with Hellenistic kingdoms, which was part of the divisions of the Alexander the Great Empire, indicated that this was his ultimate goal. However, whether it is true that Caesar was aiming at establishing a monarchy has remained a greatly contested issue. After all, his death came before his real agenda was established. Historians have speculated the idea, while available historical evidence has been differently interpreted. Whatever his intentions were, Caesar left a major mark on the Roman Empire, to such an extent that he received worship as a sort of god.
Jupiter Julius is the cult that has been associated with the mortal leader, with his statues being elected in life and long after his death. The article presents interesting information on the influence of Caesar in Rome, to the point that he was worshiped. Three times, Mark Anthony presented him with the kingly crown, but he refused. This further created confusion in regards to what exactly the ruler desired (Carson). According to Shakespeare, the autocratic leader left a mark for centuries after his death, with some leaders who came after him desiring to emulate him. The successes and defeats of Caesar are documented in this article, including the ‘beware the Ides of March’, of dreams together with other manifestations of the supernatural which cost him. His death and what it meant for the empire has also been surrounded by controversy. His death left unfulfilled promises and many questions among leaders and other people about what his ultimate goal for the empire was. Regardless, following his death, Caesar was greatly honored as a great leader and his influence persisted for centuries. He had left a mark of leadership that could not be equaled whether within the Roman Empire or beyond.
Reflection
There is a lot that I have learned from the article that I could not have known had I not read the article. One of these is the rises of Julius Caesar to power. I have realized that the rise of Caesar to power was not like that of any other leader before him. One comparison to this extraordinary power of this leader is Sulla, who had become a leader at a time of crisis and resigned once the crisis was over. It is interesting to realize that dictatorship within the Roman Government meant something completely different from what it means in the political sphere today. Caesar’s dictatorship was not the autocratic rule as it is viewed today, but as a constitutional establishment which was established to get the state through a time of crisis and could end the crisis. However, Caesar was a unique kind of a dictator because his was supposed to last for a life time. His dictatorship was to last for his life, and he took advantage of the same in leading the empire to greatness.
It is interesting to learn the possibility that Caesar desired to create the Roman Empire as a monarchy. Although this is not obvious in his leadership and only a speculation by historians, the possibility that this was the case is interesting. There are indicators of this possibility in the fact that he concentrated on conquering and annexing monarchies. However, it is evident that the intentions of Caesar for the Roman Empire were not obvious. I find it interesting that Caesar made obvious efforts to conceal his intentions to become a king by refusing the crown three times. Possibly had he not died, his actual intentions would have been revealed. I have learned that while Caesar was a great leader, it has not been possible to clearly decode his real intentions in his leadership. I have also learned that the Caesar was an influential leader, to the extent that he was adored and even worshiped. Even with his negative side, the people still had respect and fear for what he was able to achieve. It is interesting to learn that though he was a controversial leader, he made such an impact to the people he led to the point of his being revered as a god.
Work Cited
Carson, R.A.G. The Ides of March, History Today, Vol. 7 Iss. 3 (March 1957)