Page 25 - History of War - Issue 05-14

w CHINK IN
THE ARMOUR
SOME
HISTORIANS
BELIEVE
THAT CAESAR
SUFFERED
FROM EPILEPSY
– ALTHOUGH,
BASED ON
THE EVIDENCE,
MEDICAL
SCIENTISTS
CLAIM IT WAS
MORE LIKELY
TO HAVE BEEN
MIGRAINE
HEADACHES.

Mary Evans Left: how a Gallic chief Gallic leader Vercingetorix surrenders
to Caesar following the latter’s
would have looked
around the time of the
wars with Caesar’s men victory at the Battle of Alesia, 52BC
he raised a fleet and sailed back to the Caesar, it was rapidly a distance; others sought to control him
As soon as he was back in Rome,
by drawing him close.
island where he’d been imprisoned. There, becoming clear, was not By this time, Rome had been a Republic
he took back his silver and delivered for nearly 500 years, its last King, the
amendment: crucifixion is a notoriously only an extraordinarily infamous Tarquin the Proud, having
on his promise, but with one slight
been overthrown and exiled by a revolt
the pirates’ throats slit before the agony ambitious man, but in the Senate led by Lucius Junius
slow and painful death, so Caesar had
Brutus. The Senate was one of the oldest
news of the young man’s decisively brutal one with no respect for political institutions in Rome. Initially
became too unbearable. Back in Rome,
made up of a hundred men drawn from
revenge – and his glimmer of humanity – the old order, or the rules the city’s most powerful families, its
was gossiped about on street corners earliest role was that of advisory council
for weeks. It was great PR. to Rome’s Kings. After the transition to
Ravenous for power and keen to build not a wealthy man, but he was a fearless a Republic, however, it became Rome’s
on his reputation, Caesar returned to the gambler. Popularity could bring high office, principal organ of political power.
city and took up legal advocacy. Roman and high office meant wealth and power –
society was built around the law; legal so he threw the dice. He borrowed a vast Ruthless world
cases were the city’s greatest theatre, sum and held the most lavish games the While the Senate’s origins may have
and the mighty, open-to-all Forum its city had ever witnessed. In the orgy of had democratic leanings, by the time
most popular stage. Here, Caesar would steel and blood that followed, a bond was of Caesar the real decision-making was
demonstrate that, among his many gifts, forged between Caesar and the citizens of being carried out in the shadows. Self-
he boasted exceptional oratory skills. Rome that would last beyond his lifetime. appointed guardians who also happened
An unashamed populist, he used his By now, the momentum was with to be the heads of Rome’s ancient clans
position to ruthlessly prosecute officials the 35-year-old from Subura and, in a essentially ran the city. In private rooms
accused of extortion and corruption – daring move, he targeted one of the most and in opulent surroundings, these
and the people of Rome loved him for it. important offices of state – Pontifex wealthy men carved up Rome’s future.
Maximus, the head of religion. It was It was an incredibly ruthless world, and
Orgy of steel and blood a position voted for by the people of violence was an everyday political tool.
Another one of Caesar’s gifts was a Rome, so the gambler borrowed another To put it another way, Rome in the 1st
lifelong ability to turn adversity to his own fortune and bought the vote. Caesar, it century BC was essentially Prohibition-
advantage. In 65BC, he was elected to a was rapidly becoming clear, was not only era Chicago but with togas and chariots
minor governmental role that required him an extraordinarily ambitious man, but one instead of suits and Studebakers.
to pay for a gladiatorial tournament from with no respect for the old order, or the Some of the city’s Godfathers had
his own pocket. At this point, Caesar was rules. Some watched him guardedly from already spotted Caesar’s talent for

TIMELINE Julius Caesar

100BC 85BC 84BC 84BC 84BC 78BC 68BC
Caesar is born in the His father dies, Caesar is appointed Caesar marries the After Gaius Marius is After serving with Cornelia Cinna dies
slums of Rome. While making Caesar the High Priest of Jupiter first of his three wives, driven out of Rome distinction – and on in childbirth while in
his parents stem from head of his family. by his uncle, the Cornelia Cinna – the by the dictator Sulla, hearing of Sulla’s labour with her and
nobility, they have long Consul Gaius Marius. daughter of Lucius Caesar is also forced death – Caesar returns Caesar’s second child.
since lost their wealth. Cornelius Cinnilla, to flee the city. He to Rome. On his way The baby is stillborn.
a political ally of uses this as an excuse back, he is kidnapped
Caesar’s family. to fulfil his dream by pirates. Their
of joining the army. ransom is paid, but
Caesar later returns
and kills them.
HISTORY WAR 25
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