Examples Of Fearlessness In Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar is possibly the most well-known Romans today. While he was not the first dictator of Rome, his consolidation of power marked the end of the Roman Republic and set the foundation of the Roman Empire. This foundation would later be utilized by Julius Caesar’s heir and adopted son, Octavian, to become the first Emperor of Rome. Many of Julius Caesar’s traits made him dangerous to his political opponents. Of these traits, his ambition, his commitment, and his fearlessness were crucial forces that allowed Caesar to amass more political power than any other Roman had before. Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. to an aristocratic family. In fact, his father was a part of the Julia patrician family, one of the original twelve founding

There are many examples of Caesar’s fearlessness inspiring his men to feats of bravery they did not believe they possessed. When Caesar was waiting in Apollonia for more forces, he decided to hide as a slave and set sail for Brundisium. They traveled at night to hide themselves from enemy vessels. When they reached the mouth of the Aous River, the strong winds made the sea rough and dangerous. The captain of the ship was fearful and decided to turn around. At this point, Caesar revealed himself and said: “’Go on, my good man. Be bold, and fear nothing. It is Caesar you are carrying, and Caesar’s Fortune sails with us’” (Plutarch 106.5). This revelation and bold statement was enough to strike courage in the men. They immediately turned back around and fought the river with great strength (Plutarch

After Caesar defeated Pompey and won the civil war, he returned to Rome to consolidate his power. Caesar was generous in victory and spared the lives of many of his enemies. When he returned to Rome, his enemies conspired against him (Plutarch 116). Many of Caesar’s friends were aware of the danger and urged him to employ bodyguards. He refused, “Better to meet death once, he said, than always to be anticipating it” (Plutarch 118.7). He met death on the Ides of March, 44 BC. Although the use of bodyguards could have prolonged his life, his choice was not misjudgment. Caesar decided it was better to live a fearless life than to live a long