Julius Caesar's Influence On Rome

The ancient Western world was impacted by many prominent individuals, who helped shape Western Civilization to great lengths. One such prominent figure was Julius Caesar (100 BC-44 BC). A Roman statesman, an army general and an illustrious author, Caesar had massive influence on Rome. As the last leader of the Roman Republic; he combined physical power with mental power to rule over Rome, albeit for a relatively short time, greatly impacting events that culminated in the Roman Republic’s demise and the ushering in of the vast Roman Empire. Caesar’s broad knowledge in political matters and military strategy enabled him to become a great leader, leaving a lasting legacy for Rome. This paper evaluates Caesar’s effect on Rome. The essay asserts

Caesar’s career effectively began in 59BC when he was elected as a consul. However, it did not take him long before he was appointed to govern Illyricum in Southeastern Europe, Cisalpine Gaul in northern Italy and Transalpine Gaul in the southern part of France. The appointment brought four legions under his command. Being in debt, Caesar’s appointment as governor presented him with the opportunity to make money through extortion or military adventurism. As O'Brien observes, the prospect of conquering new provinces would provide individuals with the opportunity to amass wealth as well as create a loyal army. Accordingly, being a powerful commander, Caesar annexed Gaul besides expanding Roman provinces in North Africa. However; Caesar’s military success in conquering new territories and consequent rise in his influence often unsettled the Roman Senate that increasingly saw him as a threat. In 49 BC, therefore, the Senate ordered Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome. Caesar disobeyed the order, paving the way for a violent civil war that would slowly facilitate the decline of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire as its replacement (O'Brien

By dismantling his armies and by granting broad absolutions to his adversaries, Caesar gained more and more political clout. This resulted in his appointed, in 45 BC, as dictator for a period of 10 years. Within the next one year, Caesar had accepted to be appointed dictator for life. This marked the beginning of the end of the Republic and the ushering in of a new era in which Roman rulers would govern with absolute power and without any term limit. As Bishop observes, this led to a multiple political quandary for the Roman Republic. First; Rome’s political power was wholly concentrated in Caesar’s hands for an indefinite period of time, meaning that the power and authority of the Senate would be subordinated to Caesar’s command for all intents and purposes. Second; this state of almost absolute power would persist with Caesar for the rest of his life, implying that the Senate would be reduced to a mere rubber stamp of Caesar. Bishop makes the important observation that some historians have marked these developments as the Roman Republic’s end (Bishop