The Positive And Negative Impact On The Actions Of Julius Caesar

The actions of Julius Caesar in Gaul had both a positive and negative impact on the state. Undeniably, Caesars campaigns in France, Germany and Britain served to boost his reputation, clientele, and power, independent of the state. However, the effect on Rome was primarily negative. The constitution and the republic felt the most lasting impact of Caesars actions. Caesar added to the tidal pressure that came through precedence. He built on the revolutionary actions of Sulla through his loyal army, he built on the revolutionary actions of Marius through his clientele and popularity, and he built on the revolutionary actions of Pompey through his extraordinary commands. What Caesar was to Rome was a threat, an individual with limitless autoritus

As Caesar rose, so did his enemies, and so did the chance that he would one day turn on the Republic. The exponential wealth gained by Caesar in his dealings with Gaul impacted on Rome in a number of ways. One such way was his ability to play on the already active corruption seen throughout Rome, and therefore, develop his clientele base as well as his reputation. Bruce Marshall recognises this fact in the lines, “Military command also provided them with sources of great wealth from the large amounts of booty acquired, by which they were able to maintain their dominating social standing.” Marshall contends that popularity played a pivotal role in the cursus honorum of any great leader; he also contends that this monetary factor served as a support network. If the dazzling nature of success presented or if the prospect of force didn’t work, than the prospect of added wealth would sway political and social opinion. Moreover, Caesar was not afraid to flaunt his material wealth extravagantly seen through the voice of Suetonius who states that Caesar planned the building of a monument to commemorate his invasion to Gaul that would cost in excess of 200 million sesterii. The indirect impact on Rome is a figure that could buy his way into the respect of Rome’s top men, and could potentially overwhelm the entire Roman republic with

The most famous example of Caesars patience and proper leadership can be seen through his handling of the very capable forces of Vercingetorix and the Arvani tribe of central Gaul. Caesar managed these forces through besieging the town of Alesia. However, within this lies another impact on Rome. Caesars competent leadership can be seen through the works of Mathias Gelzer in the following lines, “Thus, Caesar had reduced the population of Gaul to such state that they were incapable of any resistance for more than a decade.” Caesar, while a competent strategist and tactician, at times was heavy-handed with Rome’s resources and manpower, and carelessly contributed to indulgent losses and indulgent victories. Moreover, the main impact of Caesars active role in the campaigns was the disposition of loyalty in his armies and adversaries. Caesar was building an army and clientele that answered to him and recognised the unstable nature of the Roman Republic. The impact was a relative shift in power that saw a focus on Caesar and threatened the Roman