Who Is Responsible For Julius Caesar's Downfall

The demise of the Roman Republics authoritative power is an event that still holds the focus of modern society. While he is often held accountable for the fall, Gaius Julius Caesar’s rise to power and continuing ambition was not the only factor that caused its eventual downfall. His involvement and inclusion in the creation of the First Triumvirate and the ongoing civil war between Pompey and himself brought around his rise to power, and his reforms quickly affected the social, economic and political structure of Roman society. His rule both started in civil war, and ended in it; ultimately causing an end to republican institutions.

Caesar’s personal history and rise to power, through his first time as consul and presence in the First Triumvirate,

Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon was the military action that started the war; tradition stated that generals leading an army could not cross the river. This feat was Caesar’s first official action of insurrection. Suetonius, a member of the class of optimates in 69 AD, suggests that Caesar stated “Alea iacta est” as he decided to cross- “The die has been cast.” This quotation is supported by Plutarch, who features the same phrase within his ‘Life of Caesar’, and with Suetonius being one of the more trusted primary sources of historians due to the fact he rarely states his own opinions and had a great availability of information due to his position of private secretary to the Emperor Hadrian, this quotation would be considered reliable. Caesar’s words reflect the decision that he has made in essentially becoming the Senate’s public enemy and that if does not emerge victorious, he well be killed. Despite this, the act of war won over more of the Roman citizens (Mark, 2011). Meeting little to no resistance, Caesar dominated the Italian peninsula and caused Pompey to flee to Capua with two legions as Caesar progressed southwards. Pompey retreated further and ordered the troops to stop Caesar’s movements. These soldiers were then told to retreat, but ignored their orders, and were isolated, trapped, and forced to surrender (Warner, 2001), before many joined Caesar’s troops. Rome itself was taken by Caesar in 49 BCE, with Pompey having fled to Roman Greece which left Rome almost entirely undefended. This was the breaking point of republican institutions, with Caesar announcing himself dictator and gaining sole control over Rome, and with Pompey fleeing to Egypt and being consequently killed by King Ptolemy XIII (Bishop, 1902). His death brought the unofficial end to the Republic, as Caesar yet again achieved consul and ten days later, was named ‘dictator perpetuo’- dictator for