1. Caesar often describes the Gauls or their actions in ways which dehumanize them to his audience. Provide an example of this and explain with what intent, specific to that point in the text, Caesar is attempting to bias his audience. A good response will discuss the reason why Caesar employs such description at a particular juncture in his narrative and what he hopes to achieve by it rather than focusing on general reasons why he would desire that his audience perceive the Gaul’s as sub-human. An example of Caesar describing the Gaul’s or their actions as dehumanizing: Vercingetorix on being named king by his partisans demanded hostages from all states, ordered a fixed number of soldiers to be sent to him immediately, and determined …show more content…
Thus Caesar describes the actions of Vercingetorix as dehumanizing because he is leading a revolt that halted Caesar’s conquest of the Gallic tribes. \ 2. Caesar frequently refers to his own leniency in dealing with the Gaul’s. By contrast he describes himself undertaking actions, which are utterly merciless. Provide examples of scenarios in which Caesar conducts himself leniently and mercilessly. Discuss in each of these scenarios what motivations underlie Caesar’s choice in action. Scenario in which Caesar conducts himself leniently: Caesar sent messengers to the state of the Aedui to inform them that they could have been put to death by the right of war but were spared because of his kindness. GW …show more content…
The three vices of ascribed the Gauls as a race are foolishness, cowardice, and overconfidence. Example of conduct by an individual or group which serves to illustrate foolishness: The Carnutes, under the command of Cotuatus and Conetodunus at Genabum killed the Roman citizens who had settled there for the purpose of trading and plunder their property. GW 7.4 The Gauls act foolishly by deciding to slay the Roman citizens because it would upset the Romans and as a result Caesar would make war and act mercilessly with them. Example of conduct by an individual or group which serves to illustrate cowardice: The matrons threw their clothes and silver over the wall, begged the Romans to spare them, and not to sacrifice to their resentment even women and children, as they had done at Avaricum. Some of them let themselves down from the walls by their hands, and surrendered to our soldiers. GW 7.47 The Gauls act cowardly here because they are literally begging the Romans to spare them and do so by throwing their valuable belongings and surrender themselves to the Roman soldiers. Example of conduct by an individual or group which serves to illustrate and