Julius Caesar Research Paper

The Romans and Their Leaders

The Romans were an ancient people that occupied Italy and the surrounding area around the Mediterranean Sea. Chronologically, the Romans were governed by a monarchy, republic, and finally an empire. During the fall of the Republic and the rise of the empire, the citizens that rose to power in Rome all possessed the same characteristic. Two men that held power during this time, Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus(Octavian), possessed determination which allowed for them to be great military leaders.

Julius Caesar was a marvelous general who conquered many nations during his reign as both consul and emperor, and he greatly expanded Rome’s territory. He and Bibulus were appointed consuls in the 695th year from the

Considered the first princeps, or first citizen, Octavian was a very skilled military leader who played a significant role in several of Rome’s second round of civil wars because of his determination. Early on in his involvement in the second round of Roman civil wars, Octavian allied with Antony and fought against Brutus and Cassius. They fought a battle near Phillipi. When describing the events of this battle, Eutropius orates, “..., contra eos pugnaverunt. Primo proelio victi sunt Antonius et Caesar,...”(56 A. 11). Translated in English, Eutropius more or less records that, “ they[Octavian and Antony] fought against them[Brutus and Cassius]. Antonius and Octavian were defeated in the first battle,...”. Despite this first loss, Antony and Octavian were able to defeat Brutus and Cassius, and were able to bring some order back to Rome. If they had not been so determined and had not continued to fight again Brutus and Cassius, who knows how Roman history would have gone. Another example of when Octavian was determined would be when he fought against Lucius Antonius, who had begun to stir up another civil war. Lucius had fought with Octavian earlier against Brutus and Cassius. Eutropius writes, “Is apud Perusiam, Tusciae civiatem, victus est captus est, neque occisus.”(56 A. 16-17). Translated into English, Eutropius says, “ Near Perusia, in the city of Tuscany, he was defeated