Was Julius Caesar A Good Leader

Gaius Julius Caesar, the dictator of Rome came to power around 49 B.C and later declared himself dictator for life around 44 B.C. Caesar was ambitious, courageous, and well liked among the common people of Rome. His well-liked reputation allowed his political power to increase. A position within the consulship guaranteed him an army full of soldiers and a province to go in battle. To have power, Caesar needed to display his military skills through battles and show his soldiers his capacity as a General. The Gallic War was one of Caesar well known accomplishments because after the war, his popularity status increased and he was known as the most influential military leader of his time. In order to become dictator of Rome, Julius Caesar used

strategic methods to become sole ruler of Rome by acquiring the good will of the common people of Rome, running for pontifex maixmus leading him to win the election of consulship, and demonstrating his military skills in the Gallic War.

Gaining the good will of the common people of Rome takes patience. Caesar needed to establish a connection among the common people, to show he can be a leader. “Caesar won a great and brilliant popularity by his eloquence as an advocate, and much good will from the common people for the friendliness of his manners in intercourse with them, since he was ingratiating beyond his years” (Plutarch, 451). Caesar advocated for the rights for the common people. He heard what the common people needed and with his ability to persuade others, he rapidly conquered the hearts of the people. The popularity Caesar had among the Romans was illustrated when he ran for “military tribuneship against Caius Popilius and was elected over him” (Plutarch, 453). Being elected meant that Caesar was developing a relationship with the Romans, giving him the opportunity to start his career. Another instance Caesar hit the hearts of the Romans was at the funeral

of Julia, his aunt and the wife of Marius, a well-known Roman General in his period of time. At Julia’ funeral, Caesar gave a deep hearted eulogy to his aunt and revealed the image of Marius for the first time, which have not been seen because he was declared as an enemy by the government of Sula (Plutarch, 453). Showing the images of Marius caused tense among a few Romans; however the outburst of the common people supporting Caesar on during this shows the love they had for Caesar. In 69 BC, Cornelia Cinna minor, Caesar’s first wife passed away and at her funeral he gave a eulogy honoring his wife. Eulogies are common in funeral, but during that period it was uncommon that a young woman receive a eulogy because it was meant only for elder women. Caesar broke that tradition giving a eulogy at his wife’s funeral, “bringing him much favor, and worked upon the sympathies of the multitude, so that they were fond of him, as a man who was gentle and full of feeling” (Plutarch, 455).
The political division between Sulla’s government and Marius, an established Roman General, gave Caesar the chance to favor the party of Marius and start his political career from there.

Caesar claimed on wanting to bring back the common’s people party for which Marius stood for, yet many believed that Caesar had other plans, so this campaign for Marius was a strategy for his real ambitious to become sole ruler of Rome. The pontifex maixmus or high priest had great power in the Roman Republic, so when the current high priest Metellus died, Caesar took advantage and decided to declare himself in the run for high priest against two other rivals. The election seemed to be equally divided among the candidates, making Catulus his rival worry that he was not going to win. Catulus tries to bribe Caesar with money because he was in a huge debt in despite of that Caesar refused and continued to run. On the day of the election Caesar’s mom accompanies him and Caesar says to his mother, “Mother, to‑day thou shalt see thy son either pontifex maximus or an exile” (Plutarch, 459). Caesar knew the high risk of this election because if he did not win, it was over for him. In the end, Caesar wins the election, becoming the new high priest invoking the fear of the Senate because with this victory Caesar might make the common people rebel against the government of Sulla. In the year of his success from the election, Caesar conquers another victory becoming elected praetor, giving him the

power to supervise the civil justice department and one step closer to consuls (Canfora, 25).
In the year of 59 BC, Caesar decides to run for consulship, aiming toward his goal of becoming ruler of Rome. Caesar knew that winning this election would give him authority in the government that he has been wanting; however in order it would require the help of influential Romans such as Pompey, the most influential military leader, and Crassus, the richest man in Rome.