Julius Caesar
Who was the un-crowned emperor in the history of Rome? Well, Julius Caesar of course! Caesar is one of the most controversial characters of history; the people that are for him see him as a defender of the rights of the people against an oligarchy. The people against him see him as an ambitious troublemaker, who forced his way to dictatorial power and destroyed the republic. In my opinion Julius Caesar was an efficient leader until the day he was assassinated in March 15, 44 BC by his senators in Rome. If he wasn’t an efficient leader then why would people speak so highly of him? Julius Caesar was a dictator, but his dictatorship was a critical point in Rome’s transition from republic to empire, but did Julius Caesar have the important qualities including being clever, ambitious, respectful, responsible and honest?
Julius Caesar was very clever. Julius Caesar wanting to avoid war between Pompey and Crassus -the two most wealthiest and powerful remaining Romans suggested a 3-way partnership. Which was later called The Triumvirate, but that’s not the only reason why Julius Caesar suggested that, Julius Caesar wanted more glamorous political and military opportunities, so realized that he would need allies to have his back in difficult situations. The Triumvirate including Pompey -for his money and military might, Crassus -also for his money and important political connection, and himself as the key office of consul. Julius Caesar used his cleverness to make friends and use them for their resources. Besides using his people to become more successful he also used the power he won very wisely. For example he restarted the calendar because it was false, and he also improved it, he gave the poor people an opportunity to start all over by forming colonies, he made libraries and altered the power of corrupt senate. Cleverness is an important quality in a leader.
Julius Caesar was also very ambitious. When Julius Caesar was offered the crown three times and denied it all three times shows that he was very ambitious because the crown was not the real one, you know that when Casca tells Brutus and Crassus: “Yet ‘twas not a crown neither, ‘twas one of these coronets” (Holt Literature and Language Arts 2010, Page #744, line #236-237). This shows that Julius Caesar wanted more than just the crown, and that he thought he was too good for it. Julius Caesar never listened to anyone, or any warnings. For example, when the soothsayer told him to beware of the Ideals of March; Julius Caesar didn’t listen, when Calphurnia told him about her dreams in which he died; Julius Caesar didn’t listen. Or when they saw the owl in day time, the slave caught one fire and the sky spit fire, he didn’t take that into account. All of that shows that Julius Caesar had a big ego; this proves he was ambitious because a person that has a big ego only does things that will benefit him in the future, or things that only help him, but being a leader, if something benefits you it also benefits your people. A famous quote from Caesar is “"Veni, vidi, vici" meaning I came, I saw, I conquered. A leader with ambition will never rest until he has what he wants for his country.
I don’t think Julius Caesar was indeed respectful because if he was not respectful he wouldn’t have taken the people into consideration. “Here is his will, and under Caesar’s seal to every Roman citizen he gives, to every several man, seventy-five drachmas” (Holt Literature and
Julius Caesar was born in Rome in July 100 BCE into a prestigious family known as the Julius Clan. He was involved with politics because of his family lineage as everyone in his family was involved with politics in some shape or form. He started out as governor of the then Roman province, Spain, from 61-60 BCE. He began to try to make his way to high power in Rome. He disobeyed the authority of the Roman senate and sparked a civil war. His army defeated the republican forces and he went to Egypt…
Despite the belief that Caesar would have made a good leader, a close reading of Julius Caesar shows that he would have indeed made self-centered and ‘cold’ leader. He talked of himself in third person, he didn’t listen to the cries and opinions of the citizens, and he also turned down the crown three times. Caesar never did let the words of others deter him from his goals or what he was going to do. “He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Pass” (Shakespeare, Act I, L.101). Even with his knowledge and…
good intentions, was an extremist in his fight for Indian independence, and he was assassinated. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare showcases this need for balance. Extremism in any aspect of life leads to destruction. There is a delicate balance between the public and private aspects of one’s life. Caesar is a prime example of the neglect of personal thoughts and feelings. On the day that Caesar is supposed to accept his crown, his wife, Calpurnia, has a negative prophetic dream about him. At…
days ago. Julius Caesar, an ambitious man, was a respected Senator and brilliant war general from Rome, Georgia. He was brutally killed on the very floor of our Senate. Caesar was a man who held the power and admirations of our people. His wit and experience solved many of our problems on our most recent war, earning more respect from America’s people. Many believed he would run as President in the upcoming election. The conspirators didn’t try to hide their apparent hatred for Caesar, stabbing him…
Madison Pallett 12-7-12 CEII-III Julius Caesar The famous play written by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, has numerous meaningful quotes. But, the quote that stood out the most for me was "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” I fully understood this quote in seconds, it has a lot of meaning also, more then any other quote in the play in my perspective. I believe Shakespeare, is the only writer that writes memorable lines. He is an incredible writer and knows how to…
Julius Caesar is very important because he ended the Roman Republic. Julius Caesar was a general and helped turn Rome into a big empire. At the beginning of they play Caesar returns from war with Pompey Later after defeating all other empires he became a very powerful dictator. In 44 b.c Caesar was stabbed by a group of senators. Cassius and Brutus were held responsible for his assassination. Caesar hates Cassius so Cassius hates Caesar back. Cassius’s noble brother in law Brutus loves Caesar…
characterised by intelligence, honour, passion and nobility. All these qualities describe Julius Caesar and Brutus, both of whom are unable to escape their fate, bringing about their own destruction or having it inflicted on them. Source Shakespeare relied on Thomas North’s translation of Plutarch’s Lives for historical events and characters in Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’s play Brutus and Caesar are equally noble and driven by their love of duty and the Roman people. Written and first…
[Your Name] 278 Caesar Street Rome, Italy 48973 Brutus Senate Member 865 Rome Road Rome, Italy 86132 Dear Brutus, I have heard that Cassius is attempting to convince you to join a conspiracy to kill Caesar. Because I am a citizen I know that the other people of Rome love Caesar and want him as their ruler. So let me, as your friend, try to persuade you to not help in the malicious plot to murder Caesar. The conspiracy was not created because Cassius fears for Rome and what Caesar will make of it…
Rachel Chatfield Julius Caesar Julius Caesar was born in 100 BCE to a family that was neither rich nor noble. He worked his was into power by being a fine speaker that was devoted to the cause of the people. At the young age of 37 he was elected pontifex maximus, a highly regarded position given for life. During his rise in politics, Caesar understood the advantages of allies and created a very strong alliance between himself and Pompey and Crassus, two influential political figures. The allies…
Heffernan Mrs. Bergner English 10 March 21, 2013 Julius Caesar Essay A tragic hero is the character whose actions deeply affect the other characters and who creates a series of events that eventually lead to the character’s downfall and the downfall of his loved ones. Such a hero possesses a flaw in character that influences his actions and thinking and especially his judgments. In logically determining who the hero in Julius Caesar is, one simply must find the one character that fits…