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The Civil War: With the Anonymous Alexandrian, African and Spanish Wars
`All over Italy men were conscripted & weapons requisitioned. Money was exacted from towns & taken from shrines. All the laws of god & man were overturned.' The Civil War is Caesar's account of the celebrated war between himself & Pompey, from his crossing of the Rubicon in January 49 B.C. to Pompey's death & the start of the Alexandrian War in the autumn of the following year. His unfinished account of the continuing struggle with Pomepy's heirs & followers is completed by the three anonymous accounts of the Alexandrian, African & Spanish Wars, which bring the story down to within a year of his assassination in March 44 B.C. This annotated edition places the war in context, enabling readers to grasp it in detail & as a whole.
432 pages, Paperback
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About the author
Gaius Julius Caesar
2,037 books554 followersborn 12 July 100 BC
died 15 March 44 BC
Statesman and historian Julius Caesar, fully named Gaius Julius Caesar, general, invaded Britain in 55 BC, crushed the army of the politician Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 48 BC, pursued other enemies to Egypt, installed Cleopatra as queen in 47 BC, and returned to Rome, and the people in 45 BC gave him a mandate to rule as dictator for life; Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus feared that he intended to establish a monarchy and led a group of republicans, who on 15 March 44 BC murdered him.
Marcus Licinius Crassus joined Caesar and Pompey in the first triumvirate to challenge the power of the senate in 60 BC.
Pompey with Caesar and Crassus formed a ruling triumvirate from 60 BC to 53 BC, but Caesar later defeated Pompey.
Caesar conquered Iberian peoples of Aquitania in 56 BC.
Cassius led members of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.
Brutus conspired to assassinate Caesar.
After his assassination, Gaius Octavius, his grandnephew, in 44 BC took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, to whom English texts often refer simply as Octavian.
He notably authored Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events to the demise and the rise of the empire.
In 60 BC, Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus formed an alliance that dominated for several years. Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Marcus Tullius Cicero among the Optimates within the senate opposed their attempts to amass power as Populares.
Victories of Caesar in the Gallic wars, completed before 51 BC, extended territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar first then built a bridge across the Rhine and crossed the channel.
After the death of Crassus in 53 BC, his rival realigned with the senate, but these achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing. With the Gallic wars concluded, the senate ordered Caesar to step from his military.
Caesar refused the order and instead crossed the Rubicon with the thirteenth legion, left his province, and illegally entered Italy under arms to mark his defiance in 49 BC. Civil war resulted, and victory put Caesar him in an unrivalled position of power and influence.
Julius Caesar assumed control of government and afterward began a program of social reforms, including the creation of the calendar. He centralized the bureaucracy, and proclamation "in perpetuity" eventually gave him additional authority. Nevertheless, people resolved not the underlying conflicts, and on the ides, 15 March 44 BC, rebellious senators assassinated Caesar.
We know much from own accounts of military campaigns of Caesar and from other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the writings of Gaius Sallustius Crispus. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus and Mestrius Plutarchus wrote the later biographies, also major sources. Many people consider supreme military greatness of Caesar.
People regarded Caesar during his time of the best orators and prose authors in Latin; even Cicero spoke highly of his rhetoric and style. Only war commentaries of Caesar survived. From other works, other authors quote a few sentences. He wrote his funeral oration for Julia, his paternal aunt, among his lost works. Cicero published praise; in response, he wrote Anticato , a document, to defame Cato. Ancient sources also mention poems of Julius Caesar.
A new series of civil wars broke, and people never restored the constitutional government. Octavian, adopted heir of Gaius Julius Caesar, defeated his opponents in the civil war and afterward rose to sole power as Augustus. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the empire began.
died 15 March 44 BC
Statesman and historian Julius Caesar, fully named Gaius Julius Caesar, general, invaded Britain in 55 BC, crushed the army of the politician Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 48 BC, pursued other enemies to Egypt, installed Cleopatra as queen in 47 BC, and returned to Rome, and the people in 45 BC gave him a mandate to rule as dictator for life; Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus feared that he intended to establish a monarchy and led a group of republicans, who on 15 March 44 BC murdered him.
Marcus Licinius Crassus joined Caesar and Pompey in the first triumvirate to challenge the power of the senate in 60 BC.
Pompey with Caesar and Crassus formed a ruling triumvirate from 60 BC to 53 BC, but Caesar later defeated Pompey.
Caesar conquered Iberian peoples of Aquitania in 56 BC.
Cassius led members of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.
Brutus conspired to assassinate Caesar.
After his assassination, Gaius Octavius, his grandnephew, in 44 BC took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, to whom English texts often refer simply as Octavian.
He notably authored Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events to the demise and the rise of the empire.
In 60 BC, Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus formed an alliance that dominated for several years. Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Marcus Tullius Cicero among the Optimates within the senate opposed their attempts to amass power as Populares.
Victories of Caesar in the Gallic wars, completed before 51 BC, extended territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar first then built a bridge across the Rhine and crossed the channel.
After the death of Crassus in 53 BC, his rival realigned with the senate, but these achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing. With the Gallic wars concluded, the senate ordered Caesar to step from his military.
Caesar refused the order and instead crossed the Rubicon with the thirteenth legion, left his province, and illegally entered Italy under arms to mark his defiance in 49 BC. Civil war resulted, and victory put Caesar him in an unrivalled position of power and influence.
Julius Caesar assumed control of government and afterward began a program of social reforms, including the creation of the calendar. He centralized the bureaucracy, and proclamation "in perpetuity" eventually gave him additional authority. Nevertheless, people resolved not the underlying conflicts, and on the ides, 15 March 44 BC, rebellious senators assassinated Caesar.
We know much from own accounts of military campaigns of Caesar and from other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the writings of Gaius Sallustius Crispus. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus and Mestrius Plutarchus wrote the later biographies, also major sources. Many people consider supreme military greatness of Caesar.
People regarded Caesar during his time of the best orators and prose authors in Latin; even Cicero spoke highly of his rhetoric and style. Only war commentaries of Caesar survived. From other works, other authors quote a few sentences. He wrote his funeral oration for Julia, his paternal aunt, among his lost works. Cicero published praise; in response, he wrote Anticato , a document, to defame Cato. Ancient sources also mention poems of Julius Caesar.
A new series of civil wars broke, and people never restored the constitutional government. Octavian, adopted heir of Gaius Julius Caesar, defeated his opponents in the civil war and afterward rose to sole power as Augustus. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the empire began.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 20, 2013
Julius Caesar's writing came over as contemporary. He managed his armies and countries well. One major concern was the supplying of food to the army. It required all kinds of infrastructure such as bridges and canals to be built by his people. He used a council to make decisions and allowed generals to rule independently. All throughout his concern for his soldiers and how they perceived the war effort caused him to evaluate changing situations. At one time he pointed out that it was better to fight during the day than during the night. During the day the men would fight out of loyalty, and at night out of fear.
November 16, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Caesar was clearly a very good writer. Many have commented on his terse but creative style. He was the Hemingway of his age. We are so fortunate to have his original words available to us over 2,000 years later. I almost have to pinch myself to acknowledge how priceless a gift that is for those of us who are interested in the history of the period.. Anyway, good old Caesar has produced a good old read here. 7/10
July 28, 2024
CAESAR'S ACCOUNT OF THE CIVIL WAR THAT ESTABLISHED THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE) wrote (in the third person) of his starting the civil war, which ultimately led to the replacement of the Roman Republic by the Roman Empire, under Caesar. This book also contains accounts written by his lieutenants of the Alexandrian, African, and Spanish wars.
He notes, "When I wrote to the Senate suggesting a general demobilization, I was not allowed even that. Troops are being raised all over Italy... What is the purpose of all these preparations but my destruction? However, I am ready to submit to anything and put up with anything for the sake of Rome. My terms are these: Pompey shall go to his provinces; we shall both disband our armies... the regime of terror shall cease; there shall be free elections and the Senate and the Roman people shall be in full control of the government." (Pg. 40)
Later, he observed, "Caesar had come to hope that, since he had cut off his opponents' food supply, he might be able to settle the conflict without involving his men in fighting or bloodshed. 'Why,' he wanted to know, 'should I sacrifice some of my men, even for a victory? Why should I allow the troops who have done me such excellent service to be wounded? Why, in fine, should I tempt providence?--- especially as I know that a good commander should be able to gain as much by policy as by the sword." (Pg. 71)
Later, he recounts, "Such, then, were Caesar's sources of anxiety; and their effect was that his former rapid style of campaigning had given place to a more cautious and deliberate policy." (Pg. 249)
This book, along with Caesar's 'The Conquest Of Gaul' are important works for any library of ancient history.
Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE) wrote (in the third person) of his starting the civil war, which ultimately led to the replacement of the Roman Republic by the Roman Empire, under Caesar. This book also contains accounts written by his lieutenants of the Alexandrian, African, and Spanish wars.
He notes, "When I wrote to the Senate suggesting a general demobilization, I was not allowed even that. Troops are being raised all over Italy... What is the purpose of all these preparations but my destruction? However, I am ready to submit to anything and put up with anything for the sake of Rome. My terms are these: Pompey shall go to his provinces; we shall both disband our armies... the regime of terror shall cease; there shall be free elections and the Senate and the Roman people shall be in full control of the government." (Pg. 40)
Later, he observed, "Caesar had come to hope that, since he had cut off his opponents' food supply, he might be able to settle the conflict without involving his men in fighting or bloodshed. 'Why,' he wanted to know, 'should I sacrifice some of my men, even for a victory? Why should I allow the troops who have done me such excellent service to be wounded? Why, in fine, should I tempt providence?--- especially as I know that a good commander should be able to gain as much by policy as by the sword." (Pg. 71)
Later, he recounts, "Such, then, were Caesar's sources of anxiety; and their effect was that his former rapid style of campaigning had given place to a more cautious and deliberate policy." (Pg. 249)
This book, along with Caesar's 'The Conquest Of Gaul' are important works for any library of ancient history.
January 11, 2025
Cómo todo el corpus cesariano es bastante militar pero aunque no sea mi principal interés se hace muy disfrutable, épico. Me hubiese gustado más insight en la figura de Cleopatra VII que tanta fama tiene pero sabía (como es obvio) que no iba a encontrar esto aquí, recomendado
July 29, 2018
Esta edición incluye las distintas guerras que fueron parte de la Guerra Civil tras la muerte de Pompeyo y que se extendieron por una buena parte del mundo romano sobre todo en Egipto y en Hispania. Muy recomendado para los interesados en historia militar del periodo y en general en los sucesos del final de la república.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews