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[[File: Julius One.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Modern statue of Julius Caesar]]====Early Life==Caesar was born into the Roman aristocracy into a family that had been distinguished in the city for centuries. He was associated with the popular party in Rome and was related to the great general Marius<ref> Goldsworthy, Adrian, Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale University Press, 2008), p. 13</ref>. He was fortunate to escape the proscriptions of Sulla and to escape the attention of the dictator he joined the army. Caesar was a capable soldier and he received the highest award for bravery in the Roman Republic because of his role in a siege in modern Turkey. On one occasion he was captured by some pirates and after he was ransomed he returned and seized his former captors and crucified them, all. This led him to be awarded another award for bravery. He became very prominent in Rome because of his lavish expenditure and oratory. Caesar also forged a political alliance with Crassus, one of Rome's richest men. The ambitious young politician was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of Rome and secured for himself the governorship of a province in Spain. Here he defeated two tribal confederations and was voted a Triumph by the Senate, a singular mark of honor for the young aristocrat. Later he joined the First Triumvirate (59 BCE), an informal alliance between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus and they dominated Roman political life for ten years<ref>Goldsworthy, p. 112</ref>. This arrangement secured the consulship for the Roman aristocrat and the command of an army in northern Italy, this was to mark the start of his career as a general.==

====Caesar’s career as a general====Some allies of the Romans in Gaul (France) were defeated by invading Germanic tribes (55 BCE). Caesar used this as a pretext to intervene in the area, which was outside the Empire. He beat back the Helvetia and massacred many German tribes.<ref> Caesar, The Gallic Wars (London, Penguin Books, 1984), p 19</ref>. This alarmed the Celtic tribes and they banded together in a defensive alliance. Once more, ever the opportunist Caesar used this as an excuse to invade Gaul. He was to spend the following years conquering the Celts who were organized into powerful confederation. Caesar in a series of battles defeated major tribes such as the Belgae. Caesar was able to extend his consulship as part of a deal with Pompey and Crassus. The commander launched an invasion of Britain, to punish tribes who were supporting his Gallic opponents (55 BCE). The Roman also raided deep into Germany to deter the Germanic tribes from intervening in Gaul. In 52 BCE the general faced perhaps the greatest challenge of his life when the Gaul’s rebelled against Roman rule. A massive Gallic army surrounded the Romans at Allesia, but despite this, the legionnaires prevailed<ref> Caesar, p. 89</ref>. This victory for Caesar effectively was the end of all resistance to his conquest. The Roman general had conducted what many regarded as an illegal war and the Senate threatened him with prosecution. To avert this Caesar marched on Rome with his army and occupied the city. This led to a civil war between him and the optimates (senators), who were led by Pompey. They fled to the Balkans and recruited a large army. Caesar landed in the Balkans and attacked the Optimates army under the command of Pompey. This campaign was very difficult for Caesar and he was lucky to escape a decisive defeat. The conqueror of the Gaul’s maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern Greece. Caesar was out-numbered, and his opponent was a great general. He was able to defeat the numerically superior enemy at the Battle of Pharsalus. He enemies were shattered and fled all over the known world. Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt but found his old foe had been assassinated by orders of the Ptolemies. The Roman general became romantically involved with Queen Cleopatra VII and at the Battle of the Nile, he defeated her rival for the throne. In that same year, Asia Minor was invaded by Pharnaces II, king of the Bosphoran kingdom (Crimea). Caesar annihilated the larger army in just five days and after this, he uttered the line ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’ </ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, 45, 7</ref>. The civil war was not over, and the senators and the followers of Pompey regrouped in North Africa. Caesar pursued them and landed in modern Tunisia. He fought a bloody draw with his old subordinate Titus Labienus at the battle of Ruspina. However, after receiving some reinforcements he inflicted a decisive defeat on his enemies, at the battle of Thapsus and this led to the suicide of many prominent senators including Cato the Younger. He knew that as long as his enemies were in the field that he was not secure. The remaining senators and Pompeiians regrouped in Spain and once more assembled a large army <ref>Jonathan P. Roth, Roman Warfare (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009), p. 116</ref>. Caesar campaigned in Spain and he finally defeated his enemies at the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain. This was the end of the civil wars and the Roman general was supreme ruler in Rome and had himself made dictator for life. In Rome he began to plan invasions of Dacia and Parthia but before he could embark on these campaigns he was assassinated in 44 BCE.

==The leadership of Caesar ==One of Roman also raided deep into Germany to deter the reasons for Caesar's success was his great leadershipGermanic tribes from intervening in Gaul. He was a charismatic leader and he could persuade In 52 BCE the general faced perhaps the greatest challenge of his men to do anything and to do life when the impossibleGaul’s rebelled against Roman rule. This can be seen time and time again. Caesar was able to rally his men A massive Gallic army surrounded the Romans at Alessia and persuade them to attack numerically superior forces on many battlefields. Caesars ability to motivate his men and galvanize them into action was unmatched and even his enemies acknowledged Allesia, but despite this, the legionnaires prevailed. His men were devoted to him and they loved their general. They obeyed him and unlike many contemporary armies they were very-well disciplined<ref> RothCaesar, p. 11689</ref> This victory for Caesar reputedly could quell any dissent in the ranks with effectively was the sheer force end of all resistance to his personalityconquest. Caesar was fortunate to have at his disposal some of The Roman general had conducted what many regarded as an illegal war and the finest soldiers in the ancient era, Senate threatened him with prosecution. To avert this and his leadership skills meant that Caesar marched on Rome with his forces were often invincible even in the most difficult of circumstances. Perhaps the key to Caesar’s leadership skills army and his ability to inspire men was that he led by example. Like Alexander occupied the Great, he was his own best soldier<ref> Plutarch, 43 7</ref>city. He This led from the front and if the line threatened to break he would personally fight there, thus inspiring his legions to victory<ref> Barry Strauss, Masters of Command: Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, a civil war between him and the Genius of Leadership optimates (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012senators), p. 137 </ref>who were led by Pompey. He was also able They fled to inspire his men because he promoted men on meritthe Balkans and recruited a large army. While his officers were mainly nobles he usually promoted them only on merit. A good example Caesar landed in the Balkans and attacked the Optimates army under the command of this was Mark Anthony, who became his commander of his cavalry and proved to be fearless in battlePompey. Caesers belief in merit This campaign was unique very difficult for Caesar and this meant that he was supported by many gifted officers who could execute his orders effectively <ref> Roth, p. 189</ref>lucky to escape a decisive defeat.

==Use The conqueror of Artillery==Artillery the Gaul’s maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern Greece. Caesar was out-numbered, and his opponent was a regular feature great general. He was able to defeat the numerically superior enemy at the Battle of Pharsalus. He enemies were shattered and fled all over the known world. Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt but found his old foe had been assassinated by orders of the Ptolemies. The Roman general became romantically involved with Queen Cleopatra VII and at the Battle of the ancient battlefieldNile, he defeated her rival for the throne. In that same year, Asia Minor was invaded by Pharnaces II, king of the Bosphoran kingdom (Crimea). Caesar annihilated the larger army in just five days and after this, he uttered the ancient worldline ‘I came, artillery referred to large weapons that could fire boltsI saw, stones or projectilesI conquered. These were very effective’<ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, 45, 7</ref>  The civil war was not over, and they were routinely used the senators and the followers of Pompey regrouped in North Africa. Caesar pursued them and landed in sieges by both modern Tunisia. He fought a bloody draw with his old subordinate Titus Labienus at the battle of Ruspina. However, after receiving some reinforcements he inflicted a decisive defeat on his enemies, at the defenders battle of Thapsus and this led to the suicide of many prominent senators including Cato the Younger. He knew that as long as his enemies were in the attackersfield that he was not secure. They were mainly used for defensive purposes because they were bulky The remaining senators and Pompeiians regrouped in Spain and not very mobileonce more assembled a large army.<ref>Jonathan P. Roth, Roman Warfare (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009), p. 116</ref> Caesar campaigned in Spain and he finally defeated his campaigns enemies at the Battle of Munda in Gaul brought these weapons 45 BCE in his train, for siegesSpain. These included This was the end of the civil wars and the ballista which could fire massive bolts Roman general was supreme ruler in Rome and catapults, that could hurl rocks a great distancehad himself made dictator for life. Caesar in Gaul In Rome he began to use plan invasions of Dacia and Parthia but before he could embark on these not as defensive weapons but as offensive weaponscampaigns he was assassinated in 44 BCE. ====The leadership of Caesar ====One of the reasons for Caesar's success was his great leadership. He was able a charismatic leader and he could persuade his men to integrate these weapons into his offensive strategies do anything and employ them in conjunction with to do the legionnaires impossible. This can be seen time and cavalrytime again. Caesar recognized that catapults was able to rally his men at Alessia and ballistas could break up the massed formations of the Gaul’s. This allowed the Roman general persuade them to attack much larger numerically superior forces on many battlefields. Caesars ability to motivate his men and defeat galvanize theminto action was unmatched and even his enemies acknowledged this. His men were devoted to him and they loved their general. They obeyed him and unlike many contemporary armies they were very-well disciplined.<ref> Roth, p. 116</ref> Caesar also used these heavy weapons very successfully reputedly could quell any dissent in the invasion ranks with the sheer force of Britainhis personality. He skillfully used Caesar was fortunate to have at his disposal some of the finest soldiers in the ballistas on ancient era, this and his ships to break the British formations leadership skills meant that his forces were preventing him from landing on often invincible even in the shore most difficult of southern Englandcircumstances.  Perhaps the key to Caesar’s leadership skills and his ability to inspire men was that he led by example. Like Alexander the Great, he was his own best soldier.<ref> Plutarch, 43 7</ref> He was a pioneer in led from the offensive use of this weapons front and employed them on if the battlefield and not just in siegesline threatened to break he would personally fight there, thus inspiring his legions to victory.<ref> Hans DelbrückBarry Strauss, Warfare in AntiquityMasters of Command: Alexander, trans. Walter J. RenfroeHannibal, Jr.Caesar, History of and the Art Genius of War 1 Leadership (LincolnNew York: University of Nebraska PressSimon & Schuster, 19902012), p. 541137 </ref> He was also able to inspire his men because he promoted men on merit. The While his officers were mainly nobles he usually promoted them only other ancient general who deployed artillery in this way was Alexander the Greaton merit. Caesar’s use A good example of artillery this was imitated by generations Mark Anthony, who became his commander of future Roman commandershis cavalry and proved to be fearless in battle. However, Caesar Caesers belief in merit was also able to use artillery in a conventional way unique and this meant that he was a master of siege warfaresupported by many gifted officers who could execute his orders effectively. He stormed many Celtic hill forts in Gaul by using ballistas and catapults, such as at the siege of Siege of Uxellodunum, in Gaul <ref> CaesarRoth, p. 221189</ref>. ====Use of Artillery====

==Daring/ speed==Caesar was a risk taker and he would regularly devise strategies recognized that were very risky catapults and even recklessballistas could break up the massed formations of the Gaul’s. However, his gambles were always calculated ones This allowed the Roman general to attack much larger forces and he would take great care with his plans and his tactics and strategies were always well-thought outdefeat them. Caesar believed also used these heavy weapons very successfully in the invasion of Britain. He skillfully used the ballistas on his ships to break the British formations that were preventing him from landing on the best way to win shore of southern England. He was by launching daring and rapid attacks, a pioneer in the offensive use of this way he was weapons and employed them on the battlefield and not a conventional commander just in sieges.<ref>HollandHans Delbrück, Warfare in Antiquity, Tomtrans. Walter J. Renfroe, Rubicon: The Last Years Jr., History of the Roman Republic Art of War 1 (LondonLincoln: University of Nebraska Press, Anchor Books, 20031990), p. 213541</ref>. At times his risk-taking resulted The only other ancient general who deployed artillery in problems. This recklessness meant that he often advanced too quick and his supply lines could not keep pace. It this way was noted at Alexander the time that Caesar would often run out Great. Caesar’s use of food on his campaigns. For example, when he defeated the Helvetii his troops had already run out artillery was imitated by generations of food and other suppliesfuture Roman commanders. However, the great gambler Caesar was ready also able to be reckless if use artillery in a conventional way and he could achieve his twin goals of speed and surprise. It was often stated that Caesar was very fortunate, but his remarkable victories were usually a result master of speed and tactical surprisesiege warfare. A good example of this was his victory at Thapsus He stormed many Celtic hill forts in modern Tunisia where his speed enabled him to defeat a larger force of Optimates Gaul by using ballistas and allied tribes. Despite being a risk-takercatapults, Caesar was flexible and was a master such as at the siege of Siege of the strategic retreatUxellodunum, in Gaul. That is<ref> Caesar, he could disengage from a battle or situation and regroup and then fight when the circumstances were more advantageousp. 221</ref> ====Daring/ speed====

==Conclusion==Caesar’s victories changed the Roman Empire and he decisively shaped not only the future of Rome but also Europe. He was a great commander and never suffered a defeat in a battle, with the possible exception of the Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC). He was able to prevail over many enemies, including those who were numerically superior and armies who were led by great commanders such as Pompey. Time and again he demonstrated his genius on the battlefield. He was fortunate in that he commanded an army that was very formidable, highly trained and disciplined. However, the achievements of Caesar were unmatched in the Roman era. The factors that have earned Caesar the reputation as one of the greatest generals of all time were his leadership skills. He could inspire and cajole his men, and under his command, they performed remarkable feats. Caesar was an innovator and he was able to use artillery such as catapults in ways that changed the ancient battlefield. He was a brilliant strategist and he emphasized speed and surprise and this ensured that the Roman general secured many victories against the odds.

====Recommended Books====

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