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What made Julius Caesar a great general

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Julius Caesar is widely regarded as one of the greatest commanders of all time. His campaigns and tactics have been studied and admired by soldiers since the ancient era. Among his admirers were Napoleon and Rommel. Many regard him as the greatest general in history.
There are many reasons why the Roman general was so successful and why he never suffered a major reversal on the battlefield. This article will focus on the factors that made Caesar near-invincible in war. The Romans' success's three main reasons for the success of the Roman were his leadership skills, his daring and speed , and his masterly use of artillery.
== What was Caesar's Early Life Like? ==
Caesar was born into the Roman aristocracy into a family 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, after all. This led him to be awarded another award for bravery. He became very prominent in Rome because of his lavish expenditure and oratory.
====Early Life====Caesar also forged a political alliance with Crassus, one of Rome's richest men. The ambitious young politician was born into later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of Rome and secured for himself the Roman aristocracy into governor's governorship in Spain. Here he defeated two tribal confederations and was voted a family that had been distinguished in Triumph by the city Senate, a singular mark of honor for centuriesthe young aristocrat. He was associated with Later he joined the popular party in Rome First Triumvirate (59 BCE), an informal alliance between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus and was related to the great general Mariusthey dominated Roman political life for ten years.<ref> Goldsworthy, Adrian, Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale University Press, 2008), p. 13112</ref>. He was fortunate to escape This arrangement secured the consulship for the proscriptions of Sulla Roman aristocrat and to escape the attention command of the dictator he joined the an armyin northern Italy. Caesar This was a capable soldier and he received the highest award for bravery in to mark the Roman Republic because start of his role in career as 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, after all. This led him to be awarded another award for bravery. He became very prominent in Rome because of his lavish expenditure and oratorygeneral.
== How did Caesar also forged become a political alliance with Crassus, one of Rome's richest mensuccessful General? ==[[File: Julius Two. The ambitious young politician was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) jpg|300px|thumb|left|Julius and Cleopatra]]Some allies of Rome and secured for himself the governorship of a province Romans in SpainGaul (France) were defeated by invading Germanic tribes (55 BCE). Here he defeated two tribal confederations and was voted Caesar used this as a Triumph by pretext to intervene in the Senatearea, a singular mark of honor for which was outside the young aristocratEmpire. Later he joined He beat back the First Triumvirate Helvetia and massacred many German tribes.<ref> Caesar, The Gallic Wars (59 BCELondon, 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 informal alliance between excuse to invade Gaul. He was to spend the following years conquering the Celts, who were organized into a 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 and they dominated . The commander launched an invasion of Britain to punish tribes supporting his Gallic opponents (55 BCE).  The Roman political 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 for ten yearswhen the Gauls rebelled against Roman rule. A massive Gallic army surrounded the Romans at Allesia, but despite this, the legionnaires prevailed.<ref>GoldsworthyCaesar, p. 11289</ref> This arrangement secured 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 consulship for Senate threatened him with the prosecution. To avert this, Caesar marched on Rome with his army and occupied the city.  == How did Caesar win the Roman aristocrat Civil War? == This led to a civil war between him and the optimates (senators), 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 an army in northern ItalyPompey. This campaign was challenging for Caesar, this and he was lucky to mark the start of his career as escape a generaldecisive defeat.
====Caesar’s career as Caesar maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern Greece. Caesar was out-numbered, and his opponent was a great general====[[File: Julius Two.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Julius Still, he was able to defeat the numerically superior enemy at the Battle of Pharsalus. His enemies were shattered and fled all over the known world. Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt but found that the Ptolemies had assassinated his foe. The Roman general became romantically involved with Queen Cleopatra]]Some allies VII and at the Battle of the Romans in Gaul (France) were Nile, he defeated her rival for the throne. In that same year, Asia Minor was invaded by invading Germanic tribes Pharnaces II, king of the Bosphoran kingdom (55 BCECrimea). Caesar used annihilated the larger army in just five days, and after this as a pretext to intervene in , he uttered the arealine ‘I came, which was outside the Empire. He beat back the Helvetia and massacred many German tribesI saw, I conquered.<ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, The Gallic Wars (London45, Penguin Books, 1984), p 197</ref> This alarmed  The civil war was not over, and the Celtic tribes senators and they banded together Pompey's followers regrouped in North Africa. Caesar pursued them and landed in modern Tunisia. He fought a defensive alliancebloody draw with his old subordinate Titus Labienus at the battle of Ruspina. Once moreHowever, after receiving some reinforcements he inflicted a decisive defeat on his enemies, ever at the opportunist Caesar used battle of Thapsus and this as an excuse led to invade Gaulthe suicide of many prominent senators including Cato the Younger. He was to spend the following years conquering the Celts who knew that as long as his enemies were organized into powerful confederation. Caesar in a series of battles defeated major tribes such as the Belgae. Caesar field that he was able to extend his consulship as part of a deal with Pompey and Crassusnot secure. The commander launched an invasion of Britainremaining senators and Pompeiians regrouped in Spain and once more assembled a large army.<ref>Jonathan P. Roth, to punish tribes who were supporting his Gallic opponents Roman Warfare (55 BCECambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009), p. 116</ref>
The Roman also raided deep into Germany to deter the Germanic tribes from intervening Caesar campaigned in Gaul. In 52 BCE the general faced perhaps the greatest challenge of Spain, and he finally defeated his life when the Gaul’s rebelled against Roman rule. A massive Gallic army surrounded the Romans enemies at Allesia, but despite this, the legionnaires prevailedBattle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain.<ref> Caesar, p. 89</ref> This victory for Caesar effectively was the end of all resistance to his conquest. The the civil wars and the Roman general was a supreme ruler in Rome and had conducted what many regarded as an illegal war and the Senate threatened him with the prosecutionhimself made dictator for life. To avert this Caesar marched on In 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 he began to the Balkans and recruited a large army. Caesar landed in the Balkans and attacked the Optimates army under the command plan invasions of Pompey. This campaign was very difficult for Caesar Dacia and Parthia but before he could embark on these campaigns he was lucky to escape a decisive defeatassassinated in 44 BCE.
The conqueror == Why was Caesar a successful leader? ==One of the Gaul’s maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern Greece. reasons for Caesar 's success was out-numbered, and his opponent was a great generalleadership. He was able a charismatic leader, and he could persuade his men to defeat do anything and do the impossible. This can be seen time and time again. Caesar rallied his men at Alessia and persuaded them to attack numerically superior enemy at the Battle of Pharsalus. He enemies were shattered and fled all over the known worldforces on many battlefields. Caesar followed Pompey 's ability to Egypt but found motivate his old foe had been assassinated by orders of the Ptolemies. The Roman general became romantically involved with Queen Cleopatra VII men and at the Battle of the Nile, he defeated her rival for the throne. In that same year, Asia Minor galvanize them into action was invaded by Pharnaces II, king of the Bosphoran kingdom (Crimea). Caesar annihilated the larger army in just five days unmatched and after even his enemies acknowledged this. His men were devoted to him, he uttered the line ‘I cameand they loved their general. They obeyed him, I sawand unlike many contemporary armies, I conqueredthey were very well disciplined.<ref> PlutarchRoth, Life of Caesar, 45, 7p. 116</ref>
The civil war was not over, and Caesar reputedly could quell any dissent in the senators and ranks with the followers sheer force of Pompey regrouped in North Africahis personality. Caesar pursued them and landed in modern Tunisia. He fought a bloody draw with was fortunate to have at his old subordinate Titus Labienus at the battle of Ruspina. However, after receiving disposal 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 finest soldiers in the Youngerancient era. He knew This and his leadership skills meant that as long as his enemies forces were often invincible even 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 BCEmost difficult circumstances.
====The leadership of Caesar ====One of Perhaps the reasons for Caesar's success was his great key to Caesar’s leadership. He was a charismatic leader skills and he could persuade his ability to inspire men to do anything and to do the impossible. This can be seen time and time again. Caesar was able to rally his men at Alessia and persuade them to attack numerically superior forces on many battlefieldsthat he led by example. Caesars ability to motivate his men and galvanize them into action Like Alexander the Great, he 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 disciplinedown best soldier.<ref> RothPlutarch, p. 11643 7</ref> Caesar reputedly could quell any dissent in He led from the ranks with front and if the sheer force of line threatened to break he would personally fight there, thus inspiring his personalitylegions to victory. <ref> Barry Strauss, Masters of Command: Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar was fortunate to have at his disposal some of the finest soldiers in the ancient era, this and his leadership skills meant that his forces were often invincible even in the most difficult Genius of circumstancesLeadership (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012), p. 137 </ref>
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 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, and the Genius of Leadership (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012), p. 137 </ref> He was also able to inspire his men because he promoted men on merit. While his officers were mainly nobles , he usually promoted them only on merit. A good example of this was Mark Anthony, who became his cavalry commander of his cavalry and proved to be fearless in battle. Caesers Caeser's belief in merit was unique and this meant that he was supported by many gifted officers who could execute his orders effectively.<ref> Roth, p. 189</ref>
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====Use How did Caesar revolutionize the use of Artillery==? ==
[[File: Julius Four.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A modern reconstruction of a ballista]]
Artillery was a regular feature of the ancient battlefield. In the ancient world, artillery referred to large weapons that could fire bolts, stones , or projectiles. These were very effective, and they were routinely used in sieges by both the defenders and the attackers. They were mainly used for defensive purposes because they were bulky and not very mobile.  Caesar , in his campaigns in Gaul , brought these weapons in his train, for sieges. These included the ballista which could fire massive bolts and catapults, that could hurl rocks a great distance. Caesar in Gaul began to use these not as defensive weapons but as offensive weapons. He was able to could integrate these weapons into his offensive strategies and employ them in conjunction with the legionnaires and cavalry.
Caesar recognized that catapults and ballistas could break up the massed formations of the Gaul’sGauls. This allowed the Roman general to attack much larger forces and defeat them. Caesar 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 prevented him from landing on the shore of southern England. He was a pioneer in the offensive use of this these weapons and employed them on the battlefield and not just in sieges.<ref> Hans Delbrück, Warfare in Antiquity, trans. Walter J. Renfroe, Jr., History of the Art of War 1 (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990), p. 541</ref> The only other ancient general who deployed artillery in this way was Alexander the Great. Caesar’s use of artillery was imitated by generations of future Roman commanders. However, Caesar was also able to use artillery in a conventional way and he was a master of siege warfare. 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> Caesar, p. 221</ref>
====DaringThe only other ancient general who deployed artillery in this way was Alexander the Great. Generations of future Roman commanders imitated Caesar’s use of artillery. However, Caesar was also able to use artillery in a conventional way and he was a master of siege warfare. He stormed many Celtic hill forts in Gaul by using ballistas and catapults, such as at the siege of Uxellodunum, in Gaul.<ref> Caesar, p. 221</ speedref> ==Was Caesar a reckless Commander? ==
[[File: Julius Three.jpg|300px|thumb|left|A nineteenth-century painting of the assassination of Caesar]]
Caesar was a risk -taker , and he would regularly devise devised strategies that were very risky and even potentially reckless. However, his gambles were always calculated ones and he would take great care of his plans and his tactics and strategies were always well-thought -out. Caesar believed that the best way to win was by launching daring and rapid attacks, in . This made him an unconventional commander during this way he was not a conventional commandertime period.<ref>Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Books, 2003), p. 213</ref> At times his risk-taking resulted in problems. This recklessness meant that he often advanced too quick and his supply lines could not keep pace. It was noted at the time that Caesar would often run out of food on his campaigns. For example, when he defeated the Helvetii his troops had already run out of food and other supplies.
However, the great gambler was ready to be reckless if he could achieve At times his twin goals of speed and surpriserisk-taking resulted in problems. It was This recklessness meant that he often stated that Caesar was very fortunateadvanced too quickly, but and his remarkable victories were usually a result of speed and tactical surprisesupply lines could not keep pace. A good example of this It was his victory noted at Thapsus in modern Tunisia where his speed enabled him to defeat a larger force of Optimates and allied tribes. Despite being a risk-taker, the time that Caesar was flexible and was a master would often run out of the strategic retreatfood on his campaigns. That isFor example, when he could disengage from a battle or situation and regroup defeated the Helvetii his troops had already run out of food and then fight when the circumstances were more advantageousother supplies.
====Conclusion====Caesar’s victories changed the Roman Empire and However, Caesar was ready to be reckless if he decisively shaped not only the future could achieve his twin goals of Rome but also Europespeed and surprise. He It was often stated that Caesar was very fortunate, but his remarkable victories were usually a great commander result of speed and never suffered a tactical surprise. A good example of this was his victory at Thapsus in modern Tunisia, where his speed enabled him to defeat in a battle, with the possible exception larger force of the Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC)Optimates and allied tribes. He Despite his aggressive tactics, Caesar was able to prevail over many enemies, including those who were numerically superior flexible and armies who were led by great commanders such as Pompey. Time and again he demonstrated his genius on was a master of the battlefieldstrategic retreat. He was fortunate in that That is, he commanded an army that was very formidable, highly trained could disengage from a battle or situation and regroup and disciplined. However, then fight when the achievements of Caesar circumstances were unmatched in the Roman eramore advantageous.
The factors that have earned Caesar ==Conclusion==Caesar’s victories changed the reputation as one of Roman Empire and he decisively shaped not only the greatest generals future of all time were his leadership skillsRome but also Europe. He could inspire was a great commander and cajole his mennever suffered a defeat in a battle, and under his command, they performed remarkable featswith the possible exception of the Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC). Caesar was an innovator and he He was able to use artillery prevail over many enemies, including those who were numerically superior and armies led by great commanders such as catapults in ways that changed Pompey. Time and again, he demonstrated his genius on the ancient battlefield. He was a brilliant strategist and fortunate that he emphasized speed commanded an army that was very formidable, highly trained, and surprise and this ensured that disciplined. However, the achievements of Caesar were unmatched in the Roman general secured many victories against the oddsera.
<div class="portal" style="width:85%;">====Related DailyHistoryThe 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.org Articles====*[[How did Julius Caesar rise was an innovator, and he was able to power?]]*[[Why use artillery such as catapults in ways that changed the ancient battlefield. He was Julius Caesar assassinated?]]*[[How did Caesar's conquest of Gaul change both Rome a brilliant strategist, and he emphasized speed and Gaul?]]*[[What were surprise, which ensured that the Roman general secured many victories against the consequences of Caesar's assassination?]]</div>odds.
====Recommended Books====
* Holland, Tom. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic] (London, Anchor Press, 2003)
* Goodman, Rob. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250042623/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250042623&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4c9157524f8c44ff12d67a6dff4613ad Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato: Mortal Enemy of Caesar]'' (St. Martin's Griffen, 2014)
*Jonathan P. Roth, <idiv class="portal" style="width:85%;">[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521537266/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASINRelated DailyHistory.org Articles=0521537266&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=0cbf1cf4e92aae9dfbf4e07d5b2e91cc Roman Warfare*[[How did Julius Caesar rise to power?]]*[[Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?]]*[[How did Caesar's conquest of Gaul change both Rome and Gaul?]]*[[What were the consequences of Caesar's assassination?]]</idiv> (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009) 
====References====

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