Seven Commentaries on the Gallic WarGaius Julius Caesar (?100-44 BC) was born into the senatorial aristocracy which controlled the operations of the Roman empire. Always a supporter of popular measures in the politics of the city, he became consul in 59 with the support of Pompey ('the Great'), but the alliance did not last, and the two men became first political and then military rivals. A ten-year proconsular command in the Roman province of Gaul brought him immense wealth as well as control of a huge and devoted army, both of which factors in 49 BC enabled him to challenge Pompey for supremacy at Rome. The civil war which resulted left him, after Pompey's defeat at Pharsalus and death in Egypt, in sole control of Rome's affairs; the perpetual dictatorship and extraordinary honours which followed marked a shift in the structures of Roman politics which, despite his assassination on the Ides of March 44, was to prove permanent, and which played its part in the change from Republic to Principate. The accounts which he wrote of his campaigns against the peoples of Gaul, Britain, and Germany (The Gallic War) and against Pompey (The Civil War) have been valued for centuries as classics of military practice and literary excellence. |
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Page 37
... called Iccius and Andecomborius , who were both leading citizens . They declared that they were entrusting themselves and all their possessions to the good faith and power of the Roman people . They did not agree with the other Belgic ...
... called Iccius and Andecomborius , who were both leading citizens . They declared that they were entrusting themselves and all their possessions to the good faith and power of the Roman people . They did not agree with the other Belgic ...
Page 75
... called Piso , an Aquitanian Gaul . He was of a wealthy family - his grandfather had obtained royal power in his own state and been called Friend by our Senate . * He went to the assistance of his brother who was hemmed in by the enemy ...
... called Piso , an Aquitanian Gaul . He was of a wealthy family - his grandfather had obtained royal power in his own state and been called Friend by our Senate . * He went to the assistance of his brother who was hemmed in by the enemy ...
Page 185
... called these ' lilies ' . In front of them logs were dug into the earth : each of them was a foot long and covered with iron hooks . These were scattered everywhere a little way apart . The men called them ' spurs ' . * ( 74 ) Once ...
... called these ' lilies ' . In front of them logs were dug into the earth : each of them was a foot long and covered with iron hooks . These were scattered everywhere a little way apart . The men called them ' spurs ' . * ( 74 ) Once ...
Contents
List of Illustrations | x |
Select Bibliography | xliv |
Explanatory Notes | 223 |
Copyright | |
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according action advance Aedui Ambiorix approached Ariovistus arms army arrival attack baggage battle began Britain brought Caesar called camp campaign carried cavalry Cicero close cohorts command considered corn courage crossed death decided defeat defences direction Edited enemy engage envoys fact fear fighting force Gaius Gallic Gaul gave Germans give given going ground hand happened Helvetii hill hold hope hostages Italy joined killed Labienus land leaders learned legates legions live Lucius matter means MICHIGAN miles military moved night once ordered position possible prevent protection Province quickly Quintus reached ready reason received remained reported rest Rhine river Roman Rome route Sabinus Senate sent ships side soldiers Suessiones supply surrender taken territory thought took town Translated Treveri turned usual Vercingetorix wall wanted weapons whole winter woods