Comp Civ Essay Question 1
There is no doubt Julius Caesar is one of the most
significant people in history, even though he accomplished so much during the
time he was in power his ego became detrimental to Rome. For that reason the assassination
of Caesar was not honorable, but necessary to the growth and advancement of the
Roman Republic. In order to have a peaceful and controlled republic, the people
have to trust and believe that their leader or in this case emperor, is doing
what is best for them. Caesar was believed to have become egotistic and
self-absorbed, this in the end is what led to his assassination.
Some might say assassinating Caesar was a naïve solution
to a very complex problem. This man achieved some of the most well-known feats
in history. He was well respected not because of his power, but by how he acquired
it, as a general never losing a war was remarkable. His armies won in the
capture of Gaul extending Rome to the Atlantic Ocean. This started the
transformation of Rome into an Empire. Its one thing to be a great leader, but
to have as many accomplishments as he did and still have full support from the
Roman people/army was incredible.
Although Caesar had all of these military accomplishments,
he his reign was definitely flawed. The distrust began when he named himself
"dictator perpetuo", the Latin term for "dictator in perpetuity". The
senators of Rome were not excited in the least that Caesar claimed so much
power to himself, creating the dynamic of absolute power of Rome. Rome had a
bad history with leaders who granted themselves absolute power. Exp; Nero,
Septimus Severus, Caligula.
The decision that the Senate made to assassinate Caesar was
made quickly and only discussed a few times between the men. The assassination was
led by Brutus and Cassius, although Brutus and Caesar were mates and trusted each
other he knew it was for the betterment of Rome.“Brutus was an honourable man and he sayeth Caesar was ambitious..” In the end Caesar was stabbed
a sum total of 23 times, by 60 men. This was not for nothing, the Senate is obliged to make difficult decisions for the people.
Caesar was a formidable leader, general, politician. One can embody all of these things and still only be useful for so long. All great people in history have to come to and end in one way or another in order to start a new chapter.
"I love the name of honour, more than I fear death" - Julius Caesar
