by Marie Antonia Parsons

Created on: November 17, 2009

Julius Caesar died, so they claimed, to save Rome from tyrants-and after more than ten years, a civil war and a final battle in Egypt, the Republic of Rome, ruled by a Senate, instead became an Empire ruled by one-man despots. Rome however had a capacity to ask one strong-man to save it from another.

Although the details of Caesar's bloody multiple stabbings in the Roman Forum seem so familiar today, all eyewitness accounts were lost. The classical sources of Suetonius, Appian, and others, were written centuries later, although some claim to have read the earlier reports. The fact remains however, that Julius Caesar was assassinated, by men of perhaps noble and patriotic intent. Or perhaps they simply feared their own positions were in danger.

The Senators and aristocrats of Rome first favored Pompey, then Caesar, then reversed once again. Caesar had been appointed consul in Gaul for five years, and had formed a triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. Pompey stayed behind in Rome, while Caesar pacified Gaul and Crassus died defeated in Parthia. With Rome's streets chaotic in gang warfare, the Senate declared martial law and Pompey was given a special levy as proconsul. Some of the Senators and aristocrats attempted to push Caesar out of power. Eventually, Pompey was asked to assume command of all forces in Italy, to save the Republic, and Caesar was declared a public enemy unless he laid down his arms. Instead, Caesar brought his legions into Italy and civil war began between Pompey's forces and Caesar.

Once again the Senators changed their position. When it appeared that Caesar's power was growing, he was appointed dictator, with limited authorityhe may only have been able to hold elections and the Latin festival. After eleven days in office, Caesar abdicated. When Pompey fled to the East, Caesar followed. Then Pompey was executed by the Egyptians, and Caesar returned alone to Italy.

In 46 he was elected to his third consulship. Consuls held office for one year. While he pardoned many supporters of Pompey at home, others gathered their forces in Tunisia. Caesar and his legions defeated them, and he was voted dictator for ten years for a third time. He pardoned more enemies, and even Cicero praised Caesar's generosity and urged the need for social reform. Yet once more Caesar had to take his legions, this time to Spain, against Pompey's sons. Before Caesar left, he was voted consul for the fourth time, without any partners. Upon his victory in Africa, his dictatorship

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