History Chapter 19 PDF

# Chapter 19 – Julius Caesar, Part 2 One of Caesar's main objectives in obtaining the consulship of Rome was the governorship of Gaul. It was common practice for consuls to be given personal responsibility over one Roman province, and he wanted to make sure that province was the most potentially lu...

# Chapter 19 – Julius Caesar, Part 2 One of Caesar's main objectives in obtaining the consulship of Rome was the governorship of Gaul. It was common practice for consuls to be given personal responsibility over one Roman province, and he wanted to make sure that province was the most potentially lucrative of the Republic. Gaul, a Celtic civilization centered in modern France, had formerly been so extensive that it stretched from Celtic Britain to northern Italy. Subjugated under the force of the Roman Republic in its lower regions, its native culture and language dwindled. Julius Caesar knew very well that the lands beyond Roman Gaul's borders were filled with resources ripe for the taking, and he would let nothing get in his way. He envisioned all the splintered territories of Gaul, from Celtic Britain to Italy, under his control. Caesar, greatly in debt thanks to expansive campaigning, was thrilled to be appointed the governor of Cisalpine Gaul in 58 BCE. When the governor of the twin state Transalpine Gaul died that year, his administrative land was transferred to Caesar as well. The consul took on these responsibilities with gusto, immediately organizing counter-measures to stop Helvetii migrants - a Celtic tribe who actively sought new lands to settle at the tip of their swords - from crossing through his provinces. His first move was to construct a massive wall along the eastern side of the Rhone River, 29 kilometers (19 miles) in length. Well aware that he was not permitted to take Gaul's armies out of Roman land without the express permission of the Senate, Caesar used the Helvetians as an excuse to do just that. Gaul's forces slaughtered the armed migrants, pushing them decisively out of reach of the new wall and Roman borders. Caesar sent word home that he expected further pushback from the enemy, and he demanded the freedom to do as he liked with the army. The request was not well received at home, where many senators believed Caesar to be inventing problems and wasting resources for the sake of his own glory. The consul's detractors went so far as to appeal to Pompey the Great, telling him that if such behavior were to continue, Julius Caesar would replace Pompey as the city's most influential character. It was too late to make such claims, however, since Pompey had fallen in love with none other than the daughter of his political ally-cum-rival, Julia Caesar, and married her at the behest of Julius himself. Far from Rome, Julius Caesar was isolated from the arguments of the Senate but ultimately found himself granted the power to take Gaul's army wherever he deemed necessary. The Senate agreed to do so only on the basis that it must be necessary to protect Rome's provinces, which they were convinced of thanks to his lengthy letters home describing his exploits on the battlefield. In truth, Caesar intended to do much more than simply defend his borders. Determined to conquer whomever he saw fit despite his consulship having ended, Caesar set his sights on the Germanic war-leader, Ariovistus, who had dared to attack the Roman-allied people of Aedui. Ariovistus and his people, like virtually all cultures that lay to the north of the Roman Republic, were considered barbarians by Caesar and his contemporaries. They worshiped different gods and consulted oracles that were strange to the Romans, and therefore, they were believed to be inferior to the Republic in all ways. Caring very little for the traditions and beliefs of his opponents, Caesar took advantage of the news that Ariovistus had been told by his gods not to fight until the new moon. Roman forces rode up to the enemy encampment and prepared to fight anyway, forcing Ariovistus' men to defend themselves. Julius Caesar knew that the Germans believed themselves to be defying their gods, and this was exactly the negative mindset he wanted to exploit. The battle ended victoriously for the Romans and left Ariovistus' lands in the hands of Caesar. Triumphantly, the consul pressed onward until he’d annexed modern France and Belgium for himself and Rome. Rome's Senate became divided on the subject of Caesar's Gallic Wars. Though Crassus and Pompey continued to support their ally, a faction of senators believed that Caesar's actions were that of an emperor and would-be dictator, not a governor or a general of the army. Above all, the Senate was meant to protect the democratic system and not individuals with such expensive ambitions. Elections were held in 55 BCE, during which Crassus soothed the concerned senators and was appointed consul with Pompey. In addition, Pompey was appointed Governor of Spain, Caesar was awarded another five years in Gaul, and Crassus was made Governor of Syria. Immediately, Crassus set out for the frontier of Syria, intent on pushing his borders just as Caesar was doing in Gaul. In Rome, during 54 CE, Caesar's daughter Julia died during the difficult delivery of Pompey's baby. The baby died a few days later, leaving the widowed and bereaved Pompey devastated. With no more personal ties to his political ally, Pompey withdrew his support for Caesar, formally ending the triumvirate. Beyond a loss of brotherhood, Pompey and Caesar became bitter rivals. The next year was even more difficult for Caesar when his last ally, Crassus, died in an unsuccessful military campaign. The triumvirate was finished, and Julius Caesar was on his own where politics were concerned. By 52 BCE, Rome had divided itself in two, half rioting for Pompey the Great - the only elected consul that year - and half for the conquering leader, Julius Caesar. Gangs dominated the streets, rampaging, beating, and burning. The Senate building went up in flames. In Gaul, things were no better, as a Gallic ruler by the name Vercingetorix rallied his people in Transalpine Gaul to fight against the occupying Roman troops. Caesar hunkered down in Cisalpine Gaul for the winter while the followers of Vercingetorix burned the farmland and food stores of the Roman army, intent on starving them out of Gaul altogether. Warfare in Gaul calmed by the following year as Caesar's forces prevailed against those of the unified Gauls, but serious political rivalry had begun between Caesar's and Pompey's supporters in Rome. Pompey had been elected Rome's single consul, and with the support of most of the Senate, he instructed Caesar to return to Rome alone and give up his governorship. The great military general was faced with a serious problem. Should he follow orders and face the wrath of the Senate or capitalize on the social unrest in the city and take the opportunity to claim himself as dictator? If he took his army and crossed that border, marked by the Rubicon River, back into Roman territory, it would immediately signal civil war. With his army behind him, Caesar chose to cross the Rubicon.