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.
I picked section 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" It shows Caesar's great ablities as a leader and his willingness to fight and it also shows the respect he got from is men.
ReplyDeleteI picked section 8, "This opinion seemed so humane, and the speech in support of it was made with such power,17 that not only those who rose to speak after Caesar sided with him, but many also of those who had preceded him took back the opinions which they had expressed and went over to his, until the question came round to Cato and Catulus."
ReplyDeleteI picked this because it showed how good of a speaker Caesar was. He was obviously a very good public speaker to get people to change their minds like that. It is also interesting how he even got the people that spoke before him to change their minds. This was obviously a strength of Caesar because it shows his ability of persuasion.
“3 Nevertheless, he did not make his feeble health an excuse for soft living, but rather his military service a cure for his feeble health, since by wearisome journeys, simple diet, continuously sleeping in the open air, and enduring hardships, he fought off his trouble and kept his body strong against its attacks.” I chose this line from section 17 because it shows Caesars ability to be a great leader even though he was old and sick. According to this, even though at times Caesar was sick he did not stop or make excuses, but rather continued his military service.
ReplyDeleteSection 5: "…as nephew of Julia the deceased wife of Marius, he pronounced a splendid encomium upon her in the forum, and in her funeral procession ventured to display images of Marius, which were then seen for the first time since the administration of Sulla, because Marius and his friends had been pronounced public enemies. When, namely, some cried out against Caesar for this procedure, the people answered them with loud shouts, received Caesar with applause, and admired him for bringing back after so long a time, as it were from Hades, the honours of Marius into the city."
ReplyDeleteHere was a man who not only ignored "political correctness" in regards to giving his aunt (whose husband had been outlawed) a big public ceremony and funeral procession when she died, but he also had the audacity to display images of her husband while doing so. This was popular with many not only because it gave honor to a man many considered a champion of the people; but also because it showed that Caesar was a man who would do what he thought was right, despite what others might think about it. It was "in your face" and embodied what a great leader should be.
"His second war, directly in defence of the Gauls, was against the Germans,31 although previously, in Rome, he had made their king Ariovistus p489an ally.32 2 But they were intolerable neighbours of Caesar's subjects, and if an opportunity presented itself it was thought that they would not remain quietly in their present homes, but would encroach upon and occupy Gaul. 3 Seeing that his officers were inclined to be afraid, and particularly all the young men of high rank who had come out intending to make the campaign with Caesar an opportunity for high living and money-making, he called them together33 and bade them be off, since they were so unmanly and effeminate, and not force themselves to face danger; 4 as for himself, he said he would take the tenth legion alone and march against the Barbarians; the enemy would be no better fighters than the Cimbri, and he himself was no worse a general than Marius. 5 Upon this the tenth legion sent a deputation to him, expressing their gratitude, while the other legions reviled their own commanders, and all the army, now full of impetuous eagerness, followed Caesar on a march of many days, and at last encamped within two hundred furlongs of the enemy. "
ReplyDeleteI picked section 19 because to me it showed that he was brave when his generals and soliders were not. It seemed to me that he wouldn't have his men do anything that he wouldn't be willing to do himself!
"The numerous revolts of the Gauls in those parts were quieted by this success, as well as by the fact that Caesar himself, during the winter, went about in all directions and kept close watch on the disturbers of the peace." This is from section 25 and I chose this because it shows Caesars ability to take things into his own hands. He has no problem going around by himself to keep things in check without an army.
ReplyDelete"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, to occupy Ariminum, a large city of Gaul, avoiding commotion and bloodshed as far as possible; and he entrusted this force to Hortensius."
ReplyDeleteThis passage shows Caesar's ability to "ready the moment", so to speak. He was willing to take risks, and when paired with his great military strategy this made him quite formidable. Not only was he able to conserve his military forces as much as possible in this passage, he was able to manipulate the situation to best fit his goals, despite the many risks and dangers.
"since they were so unmanly and effeminate, and not force themselves to face danger; 4 as for himself, he said he would take the tenth legion alone and march against the Barbarians; the enemy would be no better fighters than the Cimbri, and he himself was no worse a general than Marius. 5 Upon this the tenth legion sent a deputation to him, expressing their gratitude, while the other legions reviled their own commanders, and all the army, now full of impetuous eagerness, followed Caesar on a march of many days, and at last encamped within two hundred furlongs of the enemy." I feel that this quote gives good evidence towards Caesar's ability and versatility. It shows what he can really do as a leader in the military sense and not just the political side. If the man can lead a legion of men into battle while others cannot find the courage to do it, that is a sign of leader.
ReplyDelete"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." In this section 24 line 6, shows the versatilty of Caeser by him and his army not constantly fighting battle but being patience and using strategy and being defensive to cause the enemies to become impatince and attack him but become reckless with there attack and caused them to lose against Caeser.
ReplyDeleteSuch 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.
ReplyDeleteI believe what Caeser is doing here is very controversial. He is using the money from his campaigns in France and buying loyalty from his men. Where have we seen this before? Just in every single person that has wanted power in Rome.
There are many sections in Plutarch's "Life of Caesar" that shows the ability and versatility of Caesar. The speech Caesar gave to save the lives of those who had conspired to assasinate Cicero is an example of this. But there is a problem with this ability and versatility. Caesar did save the lives of these men but there is an indication that Caesar was part of the plot as well. Caesar saved these men so that the people would look at him and say, "how wonderful Caesar is,he keeps our laws."
ReplyDeleteCaesar used his abilities to play the game. While reading a book about Alexander, Caesar began to cry. He was crying because Alexander had accomplished more at a younger age than Caesar had. Cicero also gave a warning that Caesar presented a threat to the Roman constitution. And Cicero was correct. It was all about the game to Caesar and it didnt matter who got hurt. As long as he was the winner in the end. But was he the winner?
The line I pick for this reading is 17 line 1 "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."
ReplyDeleteI think this shows the character of Caesar during his campaign in Gaul. We notice here that Caesar had some health problems but did not let that stop him from doing his duties as a general for his man. You can see how Caesar had the ability to make things work in his favor.
"2 To begin with, then, when the pirates demanded twenty talents for his ransom, he laughed at them for not knowing who their captive was, and of his own accord agreed to give them fifty. 2 In the next place, after he had sent various followers to various cities to procure the money and was left with one friend and two attendants among Cilicians, most murderous of men, he held them in such disdain that whenever he lay down to sleep he would send and order them to stop talking."
ReplyDeleteI thought that this was a very interesting section. It shows almost that he was very cocky. Even to his enemies he showed no fear, and was almost disrespectful with the amount of arrogance he showed. I think it is good that a leader be strong for his followers, but the way he carried himself was not with good character.
Sec 10 "His second war, directly in defence of the Gauls, was against the Germans,31 although previously, in Rome, he had made their king Ariovistus p489an ally.32 2 But they were intolerable neighbours of Caesar's subjects, and if an opportunity presented itself it was thought that they would not remain quietly in their present homes, but would encroach upon and occupy Gaul. 3 Seeing that his officers were inclined to be afraid, and particularly all the young men of high rank who had come out intending to make the campaign with Caesar an opportunity for high living and money-making, he called them together33 and bade them be off, since they were so unmanly and effeminate, and not force themselves to face danger; 4 as for himself, he said he would take the tenth legion alone and march against the Barbarians; the enemy would be no better fighters than the Cimbri, and he himself was no worse a general than Marius. 5 Upon this the tenth legion sent a deputation to him, expressing their gratitude, while the other legions reviled their own commanders, and all the army, now full of impetuous eagerness, followed Caesar on a march of many days, and at last encamped within two hundred furlongs of the enemy"
ReplyDeleteI choose section 10 because of the account of him bringing his underperforming officers and telling them to get the heck out. That shows that even though his his officers are of wealthy status in Roman Society, he would not sacrifice his men for theri glory, which is a mark of very good commander