Julius Caesar Legacy

The infamous Roman Republic was the peak of civilization in the ancient world and was built upon many of the fundamental ideas that several future societies would later incorporate. Just like any seemingly all-powerful structure, the Roman Republic had its irregular imperfections; the Senate was often manipulative and over-controlling. The people of Rome eventually sent forth the Gracchus Brothers to face down the Senate with no success except proof of the Senate’s desire to retain and amass more power, which wasn’t their job. This would start a chain reaction leading to the Roman statesman, Gaius Marius, pushing passed the limits of power an individual in Rome was allowed. Julius Caesar would later take full force against the Romans and the

Gaius came from such a juxtaposing place as to where he’d end up that Plutarch described his parents as “parents who were altogether obscure — poor people who lived by the labor of their own hands”. Growing up, Marius had many ties with nobles in the heart of Rome because of his marriage into a wealthier, better known family. Marius rose through the ranks in the military, which were prominent positions in Roman society. Marius soon becomes an important figure in Roman politics through holding the offices of tribune and praetor, but the consulship was what he yearned for. Marius will later on ally with Metellus to claim the position of Consul of Rome; Metellus was an ineffective leader so Marius had lots of control. As consul, Marius reformed the military by creating the first fully funded, professional army. The people of Rome like this army, and Marius himself, so much that they re-elect Marius for an unprecedented 7 times as consul. This caused Marius to gain immense power in the Roman government and society, more than a consul or general should ever have. Marius is the first man the Roman citizens put complete and direct power and faith in, which would lead to single man power becoming a new Roman

While the specific part of the Caesar family Julius was from might’ve been seen as poor, they were still and old respected family. Caesar rose through the military ranks until he amassed enough popularity and power to enter the political game with his 2 fellow allies Pompey and Crassus. These 3 would form the 1st Triumvirate, an alliance to bring them all power and personal gain in Roman government and military. Eventually the 3 would split apart, and Caesar would take a portion of the Roman army to Gaul to deal with border raids and revolts. Tensions between Caesar and Pompey rose enough to the point where Pompey told Caesar he wasn’t welcome back to Rome and he shouldn’t come back. Caesar felt wronged and betrayed by Pompey and the Romans so he openly declared war on Rome by crossing his army over the Rubicon River and into the heart of Rome. Caesar would march on Rome succeed in taking the city including many citizens, but this would cause civil war in Rome to begin. Marching on Rome with a Roman army was the one of the highest forms of treason and was punishable by death. Many soldiers, government officials, and average citizens were torn as Rome symbolically split into a 2-sided war from a united front. The end of the civil wars left Rome and its citizens to serve under Julius Caesar. Caesar wanted to bring about a more central powered Rome and he prepared to accomplish this