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 104
... hand , pleading with them not to let their own stubborn disagreement jeopardize the outcome . There was no difficulty , whether they stayed or left , provided that everyone was in harmony and agreement . If , on the other hand , this ...
... hand , pleading with them not to let their own stubborn disagreement jeopardize the outcome . There was no difficulty , whether they stayed or left , provided that everyone was in harmony and agreement . If , on the other hand , this ...
Page 204
... hand to hand and put them in front of their battle line . At sunset the signal was given and all the bundles were set alight together . The sudden blaze of fire hid their entire army from the Romans ' sight , at which moment the barbar ...
... hand to hand and put them in front of their battle line . At sunset the signal was given and all the bundles were set alight together . The sudden blaze of fire hid their entire army from the Romans ' sight , at which moment the barbar ...
Page 205
... hand in the battle . This was because they had not been so rash as to incur losses at the hands of the enemy who were lying in wait for them . Meanwhile the legions were drawing nearer , and a flurry of reports reached both our men and ...
... hand in the battle . This was because they had not been so rash as to incur losses at the hands of the enemy who were lying in wait for them . Meanwhile the legions were drawing nearer , and a flurry of reports reached both our men and ...
Contents
List of Illustrations | x |
Select Bibliography | xliv |
Explanatory Notes | 223 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
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