Julius Caesar: patriot or tyrant?

Most of us have grown up reading stories about Julius Caesar. But those stories are biased; showing only the heroic aspect of the man.

As High priest, lawyer, conqueror, politician, Consul and Dictator of Rome, Julius Caesar had an awe-inspiring career. Tragedy struck during Caesar’s teenage years. His powerful uncle, Marius (‘The First Man In Rome’ by Colleen McCullough) and then his father died. Caesar became the High priest of Jupiter, but this was short-lived as Sulla (Marius’ arch rival) returned to Rome after a conquest, pronounced himself Dictator and unleashed his wrath on the followers of Marius. Caesar, fearing persecution, fled Rome and joined the legion as a junior officer. This was the beginning of his military career, and his achievements as a soldier. He was biding his time! 

Four years later, when Sulla died, Caesar returned to Rome, and chose to become a lawyer. By now, Caesar considered himself an accomplished man in Rome. His egotism was apparent when he was captured by pirates on the Aegean Sea. The pirates demanded 20 talents as ransom. Caesar scoffed and insisted that they raise their demand to 50 talents, befitting his status. After the ransom was paid, Caesar raised troops, captured the pirates and crucified them. He did show them mercy by slitting their throats, and shortening their misery.

Caesar returned to Rome and, for the next 14 years, steadily climbed the political and military ladder, going from power to power. Bribery, political machinations, triumphs in Hispania, all formed a rich tapestry of his career, leading to the ultimate post of Consul in 59 BC. He formed a powerful alliance with Crassus (whose wealth was astronomical) and Pompey (the legendary military leader) called the ‘triumvirate’. Caesar sealed the deal by giving his daughter, Julia, in marriage to Pompey. This union of Rome’s three most powerful individuals, led to mutual advantages. Caesar politically emasculated his co-Consul, pushed his reforms through and continued to strengthen his hold on the Senate.

After his term as Consul, Julius Caesar became Governor of Gaul. He started conquering the Gallic tribes with surgical precision and brought them under the heel of Rome. Vercingetorix, a Gallic chieftain united several tribes in a revolt against the Romans. Although, he defeated Caesar’s army in the Battle of Gergovia, later, he retreated to Alesia. In response, Caesar laid a siege around the city. When food and supplies ran low, Vercingetorix, made the elderly, women and children leave the city walls. So great was Caesar’s ruthlessness, that he did not allow them to cross through the Roman lines. Those unfortunate people died of hunger, over the next few agonizing days. Vercingetorix finally surrendered. Sources report that about a million people were killed and an equal number enslaved during the Gallic wars.

It’s true that courage, intelligence and strong alliances played an important role in Caesar’s success. However, such lofty ambition can not be brought to fruition without a judicious mixture of playing (dirty) politics, despotism and genocide. Does that make Caesar a patriot like Gandhi or a tyrant like Hitler?

~ A David Singh