Julius Caesar :: essays research papers

Julius Caesar was the dictator of capital of Italy from 61-44 BCE. He was born in the year 100 BC into a patrician family who claimed decendancy from the kings of Alba Langa. At the time of his birth, Rome was still a res publica and the empire was only beginning. Caesar made his way to praetorship by 62 BC and umteen senate felt him a dangerous, ambitious man. The senate did their best to keep him out of consulship. He finally became consul in 59 BC.Caesar was at the pinnacle of his indicator when he returned from Spain in 45, yet within a year he was once again facing problems with the Optimates, and had seeming lost the support of the ever so fickle populance of Rome. The problem was himself and his absolute power. With his impatience, he often denigrated the Republic as a shadow without a body except the majority of the orthodox aristocracy failed to understand this. In Caesar they saw only the threat of a king, a word which was linked with the word tyrant in Roman histo ry which is cruel or unjust rule.Now that Caesar had control all everywhere the lands of Bituriges, Vercingetorix started to lead his army to the Boii oppidum of Gorgobina whom Caesar had even outtled under the protection of the Aedui after he had defeated them in battle. Caesar sent word that he was going to economic aid them. On the way he stopped his array at Vellaundunum, oppidum of the Senones, and set up siege. He didnt want to leave any enemies behind him who competency get in the way of the grain deliveries and supply. His siege lasted three eld before a deputation was sent out to surrender. The Carnute had only jus hear of the siege at Vellaundunum. They gathered troops to garrison Cenabum, the Carnutes stronghold. The Carnutes had expected the siege to last longer than it had and were suprised to see Caesar camped outside of the town. The Carnutes decided to escape over the bridge at the back but Caesar predicted they would try that and sent troops to guard the bri dge during the night. When Julius heard of the escape, he set fire to the provide of the Oppidum and entered because the bridge and roads were so narrow, that few inhabitants escaped.Julius Caesar stated that cowards die many times before their deaths The valiant never taste of death but once.