Please skim through Plutarch's Life of Caesar. Pick out a section that particularly well shows Caesar's ability and his versatility or a section that shows particularly well why Caesar is such a controversial figure. Explain your choice.Some of you might find particularly interesting the accounts of Caesar's battles, something I didn't talk about in class much. Note Sections 15-20, for instance, a summary of Caesar's campaign in Gaul.
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"Caesar and his company were amazed and came to meet the soldier with cries of joy; but he, in great dejection, and with a burst of tears, cast himself at Caesar's feet, begging pardon for the loss of his shield."
basically a soldier rushed into the middle of a battle and saved many roman lives, and then barely crossing a river, asks for caesars forgiveness for losing a sheild, just says a lot about the respect and love they have for this man, the soldier barely got away with his life and he is worried about losing his shield. The man inspires his soldiers and earns their loyalty throught his campaigns so that they would do anything for him, means they respect his ability and love him for how he rewards them, with an army like this he could do anything, like take over rome
I read a section that I remembered from another source, that of Shakespeares' "Julius Caesar." Especially the part where Caesar refuses the laurel diadem from Antony; "And Antony was one of the runners in the sacred race; for he was consul. Accordingly, after he had dashed into the forum and the crowd had made way for him, he carried a diadem, round which a wreath of laurel was tied, and held it out to Caesar. Then there was applause, not loud, but slight and preconcerted. But when Caesar pushed away the diadem, all the people applauded; and when Antony offered it again, few, and when Caesar declined it again, all, applauded." I think it shows his political versatility in turning down any symbolical indication that he sought a greater power than allowed by Roman law. On the other hand that same shrewd sense of politics was tinged by a pride that could easily insult his support, namely after refusing the symbolic crown he insults the people by calling them Brutuses which they considered a compliment in honor of the man who restored power to the senate and the people, which Caesar which eventually step over.
-Louis-
"For eight and thirty days, as if the men were not his watchers, but his royal body-guard, he shared in their sports and exercises with great unconcern. 4 He also wrote poems and sundry speeches which he read aloud to them, and those who did not admire these he would call to their faces illiterate Barbarians, and often laughingly threatened to hang them all. The pirates were delighted at this, and attributed his boldness of speech to a certain simplicity and boyish mirth. 5 But after his ransom had come from Miletus and he had paid it and was set free, he immediately manned vessels and put to sea from the harbour p447of Miletus against the robbers. He caught them, too, still lying at anchor off the island, and got most of them into his power. 6 Their money he made his booty, but the men themselves he lodged in the prison at Pergamum, and then went in person to Junius, the governor of Asia, on the ground that it belonged to him, as praetor of the province, to punish the captives."
I think this passage points out a few of Caesar's strengths and even one or two weaknesses. He is able to manipulate the pirates long enough to get his freedom. This shows his charismatic personality. Yet during his stay he insults the men who do not like his poems and speeches.He does this quite a lot, which points to his immense ego. That ego also leads him to return and capture the pirates and even head to the province to see them properly punished. one could argue that Caesar had a sense of justice in mind when he went to capture the pirates, but in looking at his character it is easy to see his real motives behind the action.
All in all one would agree that Caesar was a man who could manipulate most others in many different fields and professions into doing as he pleased. If that isn't versatility I'm not sure what is.
"After bringing the war to a successful close, he was equally happy in adjusting the problems of peace, by establishing concord between the cities, and particularly by healing the dissensions between debtors and creditors."
Caesar was a very popular type that tried to please people. He worked to bring people together and this could be seen even before he was consul when he put on lavish shows that drew crowds of many. This is a big deal in politics when a person can work among many and gain the support of different kinds of people. We see this today in the current election. Barack Obama has promised to cross party lines and work with Democrates and Republicans. John McCain is known as a Maverick who stands up against his party on key issues that are stereo typical of the Republican party. Caesar brought many together which proved to gain a big support base on his part.
17 Such spirit and ambition Caesar himself created and cultivated in his men, in the first place, because he showed, by his unsparing bestowal of rewards and honours, that he was not amassing wealth from his wars for his own luxury or for any life of ease, but that he treasured it up carefully as a common prize for deeds of valour, and had no greater share in the wealth than he offered to the deserving among his soldiers; and in the second place, by willingly undergoing every danger and refusing no toil.
I picked this passage because it shows his ability to know that the soldiers were the most important part and he shared with them the treasure which he had won. If he wouldn't have done this his soldiers might have been mad at him. Also this passage tells us that Caesar would fight the toughest battles not being scared from them because his life would be in danger. This shows he had confidence in his soldiers that they could overcome and opponent.
4 When tidings of these things reached Caesar, who was far on his journey, he turned back quickly, got seven thousand men in all, and hurried on to extricate Cicero from the siege. 5 But the besiegers became aware of his approach, and went to meet him with the purpose of cutting his forces off at once, despising their small numbers. 6 Caesar deceived them by avoiding battle continually, and when he had found a place suitable for one who was fighting against many with few, fortified a camp, where he kept his men altogether from fighting and forced them to increase the height of their ramparts and the defences of their gates as though they were afraid. 7 His strategy thus led the enemy to despise him, until at last, when their boldness led them to attack in scattered bands, he sallied out, routed them, and destroyed many of them.
I picked this passage mainly because it shows the ability that Caesar had to take on a force much greater then his at the time. Not only did he go to help out Cicero, but he was smart enough to know that he couldn't just fight the Guals head to head with only the 7000 men he had, so he used his better military skills to defeat most of the men that were sent to cut him off and then Caesar was able to make his way to Cicero.
Eric Bengs
"Now, Caesar had with him not more than three hundred horsemen and five thousand legionaries;... He saw, however, that the beginning of his enterprise and its initial step did not require a large force at present, but must take advantage of the golden moment by showing amazing boldness and speed, since he could strike terror into his enemies by an unexpected blow more easily than he could overwhelm them by an attack in full force. 3 He therefore ordered his centurions and other officers, taking their swords only, and without the rest of their arms,"
i think this shows how recorseful caesar was. he thought that it would be most effective to have a quick unexpected attack. which would minnimize casualties, but still and a successful result. this is smart and effective. this actualy kinda reminds me of what nazi germany and the japanese did in world war 2. use a quick attack to stun the enimy so they surrender quickly instead of it become a long bloody battle.
Accordingly, after he had dashed into the forum and the crowd had made way for him, he carried a diadem, round which a wreath of laurel was tied, and held it out to Caesar. Then there was applause, not loud, but slight and preconcerted. 6 But when Caesar pushed away the diadem, all the people applauded; and when Antony offered it again, few, and when Caesar declined it again, all, applauded. 7 The experiment having thus failed, Caesar rose from his seat, after ordering the wreath to be carried up to the Capitol; 8 but then his statues were seen to have been decked with royal diadems. So two of the tribunes, Flavius and Maryllus, went up to them and pulled off the diadems, and after discovering those who had first hailed Caesar as king, led them off to prison.
Caesar was quite the consumate politican. Sensing the mood of the crowd, Caesar knew to refuse the diadem--that the Roman people did not want a king. No doubt there was quite a bit of controversy as to how sincere this display would have been. Did he really mean it, or was it just a show?
Ceasar was not an unfair man. I like the section where he agrees to lay down his arms as long as pompey did the same. Saying "they would be accusing one of seeking a tyranny and making the other a tyrant" if they allowed him to lose his arms but held support for pompey. He was willing to be versatile and play ball but he wanted to stay on a level playing field and refused to be out done or hustled by anyone. Versatility and pride are a rare combination in people because pride normaly will overide one making a fair choice. I believe for a while he did a fair job of balancing it.
Of the other senators, only a very few used to go with Caesar to the senate; the rest, in displeasure, stayed away. 14 Considius, a very aged senator, once told Caesar that his colleagues did not come together because they were afraid of the armed soldiers. "Why, then," said Caesar, "dost thou too not stay at home out of the same fear?"
Alex Mason
Caesar is such a powerful senator and so feared that few will go to the senate when he is there. Only a few educated and wise senators will join his company like Considius. Many of the senators believed that Caesar would possibly use his large band of armed soldiers against them if they offended him. That is understandable because, honestly who who would want a band of armed soldiers after you. Although the senators should use their senses and think that Caesar being as educated as he is would not use his soldiers afainst them just because of a disagreement. I admire the wise old senators that will join the company of Caesar.
This ruined Pompey himself with vain hopes. They told him that Caesar's army yearned for him, and that while he was with difficulty controlling affairs in the city owing to the disease of envy which festered in the body politic, the forces in Gaul were ready to serve him, and had but to cross into Italy when they would at once be on his side; so obnoxious to them had Caesar become by reason of the multitude of his campaigns, and so suspicious of him were they made by their fear of a monarchy. All this fed Pompey's vanity, and he neglected to provide himself with soldiers, as though he had no fears; while with speeches and resolutions of the senate he was carrying the day against Caesar, as he supposed, although he was merely getting measures rejected about which Caesar cared naught. Nay, we are told that one of the centurions sent to Rome by Caesar, as he stood in front of the senate house and learned that the senate would not give Caesar an extension of his term of command, slapped the handle of his sword and said: "But this will give it." Caesar was great at moving with the changing times. He was able to control much of the happening of the government through bribes and presents. He also understood the power of flattery. The story is interesting because it shows the depth that Caesar will go to justify his means. It also shows how good of a politician he is because he is able to give great treatment to very influential people and in turn they help him when he needs help. In the other story of Caesar you see it in a quote that he gave "They would have it so. Even I, Gaius Caesar, after so many great deeds, should have been found guilty, if I had not turned to my army for help." Another great thing about Caesar is that he knows exactly what he is and who he is. He can see that he is making enemies but he is able to subside most of the problems because of his great maneuverability.
he was equally happy in adjusting the problems of peace, by establishing concord between the cities, and particularly by healing the dissensions between debtors and creditors, Caesar is a man who is set on making everyone happy. he wants to make amends between people like debtors and creditors so there will be a more peaceful and more prosperous.
"Such, then, is said to have been the course of Caesar's life before his Gallic campaigns. 2 But the period of the wars which he afterwards fought, and of the campaigns by which he subjugated Gaul, as if he had made another beginning and entered upon a different path of life and one of new achievements, proved him to be inferior as soldier and commander to no one soever of those who have won most admiration for leadership and shown themselves p479greatest therein."
This shows Caesar to be the best leader that has ever been, and also a well respected soldier. They say that his leadership is shown many times as the greatest that there has been, which is a great feat compared to many leaders that have come before him. I think that this shows his superiority in Rome at this time, and how well respected he is.
In section 4 in sentences 4-9 where is talks about Caeser's increasing popularity with the people shows Caesar's ability and versatility. He was patient and abided his time gaining the trust and support of the common people. He gained offices like tribune and quaestor but this was just the humble beginning for Caesar that many of the senators and consuls took to lightly. As it was stated in that section: "At first his enemies thought his influence would quickly vanish when his expenditures ceased; but later when it had become great and hard to subvert, and aimed directly at a complete revolution in the state , they perceived that no beginnings should be considered to small to be quickly made great by consequence," The only people who saw this at first was Cicero and and Cato who tried to warn the people but they realized it to late.
5 Of those who had crossed the Rhine into Gaul four hundred thousand were cut to pieces, and the p499few who succeeded in making their way back were received by the Sugambri, a German nation. 6 This action Caesar made a ground of complaint against the Sugambri, and besides, he coveted the fame of being the first man to cross the Rhine with an army. He therefore began to bridge the river,45 although it was very broad, and at this point in its course especially swollen, rough, and impetuous, and with the trunks and branches of trees which it bore down stream kept smiting and tearing away the supports of his bridge. 7 But Caesar caught up these trunks and branches with bulwarks of great timbers planted across the stream, and having thus bridled and yoked the dashing current, he brought his bridge — sight beyond all credence — to completion in ten days.
23 He now threw his forces across the river. No one ventured to oppose him, but even the Suevi, who were the foremost nation of the Germans, bestowed themselves and their belongings in deep and woody defiles. Caesar ravaged the country of the enemy with fire, gave encouragement to the constant friends of Rome, and then retired again into Gaul, having spent eighteen days in Germany.
I chose this because it's always been one of my favorite accounts of Caesar. Being the first general to march an army across the Rhine river and to do it in a very short amount of time shows his ability to get stuff done. It also shows how much this had an impact on the Gaul and why they would maybe come to fear and revere him a lot more than before, the one thing that had been their safeguard, he just marched an entire army across in a matter of days. Definitely one of my favorites among Caesars accomplishments.
"It is said, too, that Caesar had the greatest natural talent for political oratory, and cultivated his talent most ambitiously, so that he had an undisputed second rank; 3 the first rank, however, he renounced, because he devoted his efforts to being first as a statesman and commander rather, and did not achieve that effectiveness in oratory to which his natural talent directed him, in consequence of his campaigns and of his political activities, by means of which he acquired the supremacy."
I think that this line shows Caesar's true character very brightly. He refused to acknowledge that he was second in line even though the passage said he clearly was. He also makes excuses that he thinks make him a better general. He says he is a better orator and devoted himself to the task at hand. This attitude of Caesar to not be satisfied with what he has and continually want more is not only typical of his behavior, but outlines caesars political career and ultimatly why he lost his life.
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