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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 79
Page 44
... legions would not dare to resist . The plan of the men who brought this information was helped by the fact that from ... legions carrying only light kit . He had put the whole army's heavy baggage behind these legions , while the two ...
... legions would not dare to resist . The plan of the men who brought this information was helped by the fact that from ... legions carrying only light kit . He had put the whole army's heavy baggage behind these legions , while the two ...
Page 97
... legions — and they positioned themselves with only a very small gap to separate them . Because our men were fright- ened by the unfamiliar tactics , the enemy boldly broke through their midst and retreated without casualties . On that ...
... legions — and they positioned themselves with only a very small gap to separate them . Because our men were fright- ened by the unfamiliar tactics , the enemy boldly broke through their midst and retreated without casualties . On that ...
Page 222
... legion for the Parthian war . * Evidently one man was to be deprived of two legions for Pompey had sent him the First legion , a legion levied in Caesar's own province , and had handed it over to be , in effect , Caesar's own . Although ...
... legion for the Parthian war . * Evidently one man was to be deprived of two legions for Pompey had sent him the First legion , a legion levied in Caesar's own province , and had handed it over to be , in effect , Caesar's own . Although ...
Contents
List of Illustrations | x |
Select Bibliography | xliv |
Explanatory Notes | 223 |
Copyright | |
2 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
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