Caesar's historical role

Julius Caesar? (Latin: Gaius Iulius Caesar? Before 65438+July12-March15,44), or Julius Caesar, an outstanding military commander and politician at the end of Rome.

Caesar was born into a noble family, and served as a treasurer, chief priest, chief justice, consul, inspector and dictator. In the first 60 years, he secretly formed the first tripartite alliance with Pompeii and crassus, and later became the governor of Gaul. It took him eight years to conquer all Gaul (about today's France), and also attacked Germany and Britain. In the first 49 years, he led the army to occupy Rome, defeated Pompeii, took power by one person and practiced dictatorship. Made julian calendar.

44 years ago, Caesar was assassinated by a member of parliament led by Marcus brutus. Behind Caesar, his nephew and adopted son Octavian defeated Anthony to establish the Roman Empire and became the first imperial emperor.

family background

Caesar was born in Rome in July 102 BC. He was born in a noble family environment with pure paternal and maternal lines, so he got a good shade.

Many of their immediate family members have served as consuls and justices. His uncle Seikst Julius was promoted to consul in 9 1 BC, and his aunt Julia also married the famous Marius. His father served as a financial officer, judicial officer and governor of Asia Minor around 100. Such a distinguished life experience doomed Caesar to get at least an administrative position in the future.

Caesar's mother, Oreglia, also came from the powerful Oreglia Kota family. Caesar's grandfather Lucius Aurelius Kota also served as consul in 1 19. Especially in the initial stage of Caesar's career, his grandfather's consistent support and responsiveness gave Caesar strong support.

Later, Caesar also tried to establish a sacred genealogy for himself: according to myths and legends, the ancestor of romulus, the founder of Rome, was Aeneas, the Trojan hero Artemis and the goddess Aphrodite (the Venus of the Romans). Ascani, son of Aeneas, was also called Jules. Caesar abused etymology, insisted that he was the ancestor of his clan (julius), and thus asserted that he was the descendant of Venus.

education in the early childhood

Caesar's early years, especially his education, have not been very clear because of the lack of information. We know that, like any young Roman aristocrat of his time, Caesar was influenced by his mother until he was seven years old. In addition, according to tradition, after learning the basic knowledge of alphanumeric and Latin (in addition, we also know that Caesar is proficient in Greek), Caesar should learn to speak and debate under the guidance of an eloquence teacher; In addition, he has to learn basic knowledge such as philosophy and law; Finally, as all aristocratic children should do, they should receive education in military technology, including reading various works on history, siege techniques and tactics, and participating in various military sports training.

At the age of seven, Caesar was sent to a school for aristocratic children. At school, Caesar's subjects such as literature, history and geography are always praised by teachers. He is lively, cheerful and quick-thinking. To the teacher's surprise, he has endless questions, and he always tries to make it to the end. Caesar worshipped his uncle Marius most when he was a child. He often pesters his uncle to tell him stories about his expeditions. Caesar's mother thought her son was not an ordinary person, so she strengthened his education. Caesar also lived up to his mother's expectations, reading widely, learning and progressing, and writing well. As a teenager, he published Hercules and the tragedy Oedipus. He loves ancient Greek culture, especially Greek classical literature. Besides literature, Caesar also likes sports. He is proficient in riding and fencing, muscular and very strong.

/kloc-at the age of 0/5, according to Roman custom, Caesar began to wear adult white robes.

The conflict with Sura

In 86 BC and 84 BC, Marius and Qin Na, leaders of the popular faction in the Senate, died one after another. The former is Caesar's uncle, and the latter once nominated Caesar as Jupiter's priest, while Caesar was regarded as a natural supporter of Marius because of relatives and other reasons. Although Caesar lost two protectors at once, he also gained the freedom to engage in a certain profession and make great achievements. In the first 84 years, Caesar married cornelia, Qinna's daughter. This marriage not only brought him a daughter, Yuria, but also won the support of members of the Senate.

In the first 82 years, the dictator Sura, who won the civil war and was supported by the elite members of the Senate, asked Caesar to divorce cornelia. However, Caesar chose to refuse and left Rome cautiously. With the help of relatives and friends, Caesar escaped the threat of exile and death. Although Sura later succumbed to various favorable and powerful pressures from young Caesar and forgave the latter, Caesar still thought it more prudent to stay away from Rome.

Going to the East for the first time

From 82 BC to 79 BC, Caesar lived in the East and went to Asia Minor with Marcus Trentius Varro Lucullus in August1year. After he arrived in Asia Minor, he soon accepted a task: looking for ships in Bitilia. King Nicomed of British Columbia promised to supply ships to Rome, but he didn't keep his promise. The fledgling Caesar successfully completed this task. Perhaps it was too successful, and his opponent began to spread rumors that it was the unusual charm of the Roman messenger that made the cunning king do what he said. Although this was only an episode, it left people with the impression that Caesar was gay, and this influence was so long-lasting that his soldiers (according to Suetonius) called his commander-in-chief "a man full of women and a woman full of men" in a triumphant ceremony a long time later.

In the first 80 years, Caesar went to Mitile with the army. In the battle, Caesar showed extraordinary military and diplomatic talents and won the laurel for his bravery. From 79 to 78 years ago, he also took part in the fight against pirates in Chiriki.

Back to Rome

In the first 78 years, Sura died and Caesar returned to Rome after a long absence. In a few years, he didn't do much and paid little attention to politics. He only defends himself or his supporters in court or elsewhere as a defender. For example, in the first 78 years, after the failure of the rebellion, the consul Li Bide asked for pardon of his supporters; In the first 77 years, he sued his political opponent Dolabella for corruption; Defended the Greeks against Gaius Antonius in the first 76 years.

Go to the east again

However, Caesar did not insist. In the first 76 years, he once again set foot on a trip to the East. In 75 BC, he was in Rhode Island, under the door of Mi Long's son and eloquent master, Apolloni Osman. During the trip, he was hijacked by pirates in Chiriki. The latter demanded a ransom of 20 talents. Caesar laughed at them for not knowing who they had caught and asked the pirates for 50 talents. He had to stay with the pirates for 38 days while waiting for the ransom. He joked with them that they must all be crucified after their release. When he was released, the first thing he did was to organize a fleet and capture all the pirates who hijacked him. Perhaps because the pirates were very kind to them, Caesar cut their throats before crucifying them in order to alleviate their suffering.

Early position

In the first 74 years, Caesar returned to Rome and soon succeeded his uncle Aurelius Kota as a priest. In the first 72 years, he won the first elected low-level post-military tribune-which is the lowest level in the Roman official system. However, due to lack of information, it is not clear whether Caesar participated in suppressing the slave uprising led by Spartak (73 years ago -7 1 year ago).

treasurer

In the first 70 years, 32-year-old Caesar participated in the election again and was successfully elected as the financial officer in the first 69 years. This position is the first official position in the Roman official system. Only people over the age of 30 can participate in the election for a term of one year, and the winner will automatically qualify as a member of the Senate. Caesar went to Spain in the first 69 years, as the deputy of the governor, in charge of the province's finances.

During the trial tour of Spanish cities there, one day, I saw the statue of Alexander the Great in the temple of HerCouriss. I thought that Alexander had conquered the world at his age, but he didn't do anything. I couldn't help feeling deeply, so I asked to be relieved of my post and left Spain.

City officials

After returning to Rome, Caesar was appointed as the manager of Apia Avenue in the first 66 years, responsible for maintaining this avenue connecting Rome and Brindisi. Later this year, he recommended himself as the new administrative officer for the following year and was elected.

The municipal officials in ancient Rome were similar to the mayors today, who were mainly responsible for the construction and maintenance of urban public facilities (especially temples), managing markets and other aspects of daily life in Rome. Moreover, this position is also considered difficult, because city officials are also responsible for organizing the activities of the Grand Racecourse, one of the most popular sports events in Rome. However, the funds for this activity are very limited, but if city officials want to go further in their political careers, they must dedicate a grand competitive activity to the whole city of Rome, which means that city officials themselves must pay for it.

In order to please the people, Caesar provided many fascinating competitions for the public, built or rebuilt many impressive public buildings, and ended his one-year term as a city official with great glory, but he went bankrupt. He is in debt of hundreds of talents (millions of euros in terms of currency in circulation), which seriously threatens his future political career.

Chief priests and justices

The first 63 years were the years when Cicero, a famous speaker, served as consul. He chose to cooperate with the elite of the Senate and break away from the Roman civilian class, which led to his inaction during his tenure. On the contrary, Caesar is winning at this time.

At this time, the priest of Rome died, and Caesar proposed to run for office. Although Caesar has been heavily in debt because of huge expenses and bribery during his tenure as a municipal official, and vowed to go home as a priest or never to go home on election day, Caesar was successfully elected to this lifelong position with great glory and authority.

Later in the same year, Caesar got another position-minister. This position should be available after 40 years old, but Caesar got it at the age of 39. Of course, some historians have pointed out that Caesar's aristocratic status can help him lower the age limit by one year. In any case, the fact that Caesar obtained the positions of high priest and chief justice in the same year has shown that Caesar has risen to a very powerful position in Rome.

In the same year, Caesar married Pompey Sura, Sura's granddaughter. As Clodius pretended to be a maid, she entered the ceremony of offering sacrifices to Guanyin Bodhisattva, which was only open to women. Although after the trial, everyone (including Caesar himself) thought that no participant had been defiled, Caesar still divorced Pompey on the grounds that "Caesar's wife is beyond doubt".

governor of a province

Before 6 1, the term of office of the chief justice expired, and Caesar got the position of governor of the far Spanish province. At the same time, Pompeii returned to Rome from the East. This time, Caesar was once again in financial trouble, so that crassus had to repay the loan for him.

As soon as he arrived in Iberia, Caesar launched an attack on Lusitas and galaxies, which brought rich trophies for a long time. After restoring the order of the provinces, he left the provinces in a hurry and returned to Rome without waiting for his successor. At the same time, he made two demands: the triumph and the position of consul. However, because the election date is imminent, he must wait outside Rome or enter Rome as an ordinary citizen, otherwise he is not a candidate. Therefore, he had to give up the triumph in exchange for the candidacy of consul.

Sixty years ago (59 years ago), Caesar was elected consul of Rome by the Parliament of Sentulia. Caesar became the highest official, but the nobles were afraid that if there was another colleague who cooperated with Caesar, Caesar could do whatever he wanted. So many nobles donated money to Malcus Luce, his main political enemy, an elite representative of the Senate and Cato's good friend, and he was elected consul. In this regard, Cato once admitted that in this case, bribery is beneficial to the country. So Caesar especially needed to form his political alliance, and he found a partner that his political enemies had not expected beforehand.

At this time, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus was fighting for land for his veterans in the Senate, but he failed. Crassus, who has become the richest man in Rome, is also worried about gaining control of the army against Parthia. And the consul Caesar just needs Pompey's fame and crassus's money. Therefore, Caesar succeeded in making these two friends friends again (Pompeii and crassus became enemies after they became consuls 70 years ago). These three men made a contract 60 years ago, with the aim that "no measure in this country shall go against the will of one of them" (in Suvetonius). Historians call this alliance "the first three-headed alliance". In order to consolidate this political alliance, Pompeii, who knew his destiny, also married Julia, Caesar's only daughter, who was only 14 years old.

After the alliance of the three men, their power increased greatly. When Biblus announced that there was an ominous sign to terminate the meeting, Caesar violently used force to drive his colleagues out, but at the Senate meeting the next day, no one dared to criticize or discuss it, and a decree would be passed for such a serious incident. Babilus was extremely disappointed. As a consul, his first decree was to withdraw from all political activities. From then on, Caesar's political opponents can only hide at home and send ominous signs to the Senate or the citizens' assembly through messengers until the end of his term. In this way, Caesar monopolized the power, and the year of Birus and Caesar became the year of julius and Caesar.

After completing his consul's term, Caesar was granted the power to manage northern Gaul (now southern France) and Illyria (now Adriatic coast of Balkan Peninsula) for five years (the first 58 years-the first 53 years) and served as governor. However, the ambitious Caesar does not seem to be satisfied with this. Almost as soon as he came to power, he launched the Gaul War (58-49 years ago).

During his nine years of commanding troops to fight in various places, Caesar captured the whole Gaul region (about equivalent to today's France), turned this area with a circumference of more than 3,000 miles (except some allied cities) into a province (Gaul province), and still needed to pay him a large sum of money every year. In addition, Caesar was the first Roman to cross the Rhine and attack the Germans on the other side (Germania).

About 60 people took part in the conspiracy against Caesar led by Gaius Gaius Gaius Cassius Longinus Longinus, Marcus brutus and Demos brutus. At first, they couldn't decide which scheme was better: when Caesar called the tribal people's congress to vote, they threw it off the bridge of vilen on Mars and stabbed him to death under the bridge; Or attack him on the holy road leading to the agricultural temple or at the gate of the theater. However, when the Senate meeting was announced to be held in Pompeii Chamber (established by Pompeii) on March 15 44 years ago, they chose to act here.

In the past few months, there have been some signs suggesting to Caesar that he will be killed, and the diviner Spriner clearly reminded him to "be careful of March 15". In view of this, Caesar has been hesitant to stay at home and postpone or cancel what was scheduled to be completed in the Senate. But in the end, under the persuasion of Desimus brutus (who told Caesar that all the participants had been waiting for a long time), Caesar left home around 5 o'clock and went to the Senate. Before leaving home, he laughed at Sprinner, but the latter warned him: "March 15 did come, but it is still not over." On the way, he received a note exposing the plot, but was delayed by other things and did not read it immediately.

When he took his seat in the Senate, all the conspirators gathered around him. Tirius Simble immediately went to Caesar's side, as if to ask something, but grabbed his Toga shoulder. At this time, Caesar was stabbed in the neck by a man named Casca. Caesar stabbed Casca in the arm with an iron pen, but he was stabbed again. When he found that daggers were attacking in all directions, especially when he saw Marcus brutus pouncing on him, he gave up his resistance and just said to Marcus brutus in Greek: κ α σ υ? κνον? Are you there, my child? ), and then fell down. In this way, Caesar was stabbed 23 times (only one was fatal) and fell under the statue of Pompeii and died.

The conspirator wanted to throw his body into the Tiber River, but he didn't, because he was frightened by the consul marc anthony and the cavalry leader Lei Bida.

At the request of his father-in-law, Caesar's will was unsealed at Mark Anthony's home. This will was written on September 13 of the previous year and has been kept in the hands of Vesta, a priestess. In this will, Caesar appointed three grandchildren of his sister as his heirs: three quarters of Octavian's property, and the other quarter was shared by Rukius Pinarius and Kervinus Petius; Appoint guardians for their possible children, several of whom are murderers involved in the conspiracy; Octavian was also appointed as a member of his family, and his name was passed on to him, and de simos brutus was appointed as the second heir. In addition, he left the garden of the Tiber River for public use and gave each citizen 300 sestertius.

Those who plot to assassinate him rarely live for three years after his death. They were all found guilty and died in different ways: some died at sea, some died in the war that Caesar's ministries such as Octavian would launch later, and some committed suicide with the same dagger that assassinated Caesar.

Caesar was 58 when he died. After his death, he was listed among the gods according to law and was honored as "Holy julius". The Senate also decided to close the hall where he was assassinated and designated March 15 as "Patricide Day", and the Senate could never meet on this day.

Impact and evaluation

Caesar is the founder of the Roman Empire, so he is regarded as the uncrowned king of the Roman Empire by some historians and called Caesar the Great. Some historians even regard him as the first emperor of the Roman Empire, and the day when he became a lifelong dictator was the birth day of the Roman Empire. As far as influence is concerned, some Roman monarchs take their own name "Caesar" as the title of emperor; Later emperors of the German Empire and the Russian Empire also took "Caesar" as the title of emperor.