Julius Caesar: Man, Soldier, And TyrantSince the Renaissance, Julius Caesar has been idolized as a superman. Classical sources, however, present a far less exalted being. As General Fuller writes, Caesar was "an unscrupulous demagogue whose one aim was power, and a general who could not only win brilliant victories but also commit dismal blunders. . . . It is reasonable to suspect that, at times, Caesar was not responsible for his actions, and toward the end of his life, not altogether sane." There is not doubt that Caesar was an extraordinary man." But Fuller points out that he was extraordinary for his reckless ambition, matchless daring, and ruthless tyranny, rather than for his skills as a military commander. Caesar continually had to extricate himself from results of mistakes of judgement. His unnecessary Alexandrian War, his close call at Thapsus, and his seemingly unpremeditated Gallic conquest are just a few of Fuller's many examples.And in telling Caesar's history, Fuller illuminates a century of Roman history as well. Aided by maps of Caesar's principal battles and diagrams of many of his weapons, Fuller brings to life Caesar's wars, his armies, his equipment, and his methods. Brilliant in design and impressive in scope, Julius Caesar clarifies how the military, political, and economic aspects of the Roman Republic worked together to produce a man whose name has come down to us as a synonym for absolute authority. |
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Page 230
... Scipio , to march to Scipio's support ; but should Caesar remain in ' the district of Oricum , waiting for his legions and cavalry from Italy , ' he would attack Domitius ' in full force.'2 He adopted the first alternative , which ...
... Scipio , to march to Scipio's support ; but should Caesar remain in ' the district of Oricum , waiting for his legions and cavalry from Italy , ' he would attack Domitius ' in full force.'2 He adopted the first alternative , which ...
Page 270
... Scipio , of the victory . " In one part of the day's work did Caesar's luck show itself , in that the victorious enemy seems to have abandoned the field at the moment of success.'1 very On the face of it this appears to be a tall story ...
... Scipio , of the victory . " In one part of the day's work did Caesar's luck show itself , in that the victorious enemy seems to have abandoned the field at the moment of success.'1 very On the face of it this appears to be a tall story ...
Page 272
... Scipio and Labienus perceived this , they led their entire force of cavalry out of camp , deployed it in line of battle , and drew up their infantry in second line 400 paces in advance of their camps . When Scipio had approached to ...
... Scipio and Labienus perceived this , they led their entire force of cavalry out of camp , deployed it in line of battle , and drew up their infantry in second line 400 paces in advance of their camps . When Scipio had approached to ...
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Aedui Afranius Alesia Alexandria Antony Appian archers Ariovistus arms army arrived Arverni assembled attack battle battle of Pharsalus became Bellovaci Bituriges Brundisium Caesar camp campaign Cassius Cato cavalry centurions Cicero Cisalpine Gaul Civil Wars Clodius cohorts command consuls consulship contravallation Corfinium corn Crassus decided defeat Domitius Dyrrachium elected enemy enemy's entrenched favour fight flank fleet followed foragers force Gaius galleys Gallic garrison Gergovia Germans Gnaeus Helvetii hill Holmes honour horse horsemen Ibid Ilerda infantry Italy join king Labienus land learnt legionaries legions light-armed Marius miles Mithridates Nervii night Numidian occupied Petreius Pharsalus Plutarch Pompeians Pompey Pompey's praetors probably province Publius Quintus raised rampart rear recruited revolt Rhine river Roman Republic Rome Scipio Senate sent ships siege soldiers Spain Suetonius supply surrender tactics Thapsus told took town tribes tribunes troops Vercingetorix victory withdrew writes