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==Gallic Wars==

Some allies of the Romans in Gaul (modern France and Belgium) were defeated by Germanic tribes. This was used by Caesar as a pretext to intervene into Gaul and to begin its conquest. Caesar was to prove to be a general of genius<ref>Grant, p. 98</ref>. He defeated the Germanic tribes with great brutality. The Gaul in the North and West were alarmed by the appearance of Romans and they began to form defensive alliances. These were interpreted by Caesar as a threat to the Romans even though this may not have been the case. He ordered his legions to march to the far north of Gaul and he conquered much of the area and later he also extended Roman influence into to the south-west. Caesar had begun the conquest of Gaul without the sanction of the Senate and many regarded his campaign as an illegal war. At a conference in Lucca in 55 BCE at this Caesar was able to extend his consulship, and his command in Gaul for another five years. However, many fierce tribes such as the Belgae continued to resist Romans and Caesar was involved in much fierce fighting. He did find the time to launch a raid on Britain. The Roman general was a great propagandist and he wrote reports on his campaigns that informed the public of his achievements. These are considered to be classics of Latin Literature. While Caesar was popular with many he was hated by many Senators in Rome. He continued his campaigns and at the Battle of Alessia he won a decisive victory, which ended the conflict. After his victory, Caesar had the command of a large army of seasoned troops who were loyal to him and many partisans in his native city. Much of the wealth he made in Gaul was used to finance his supporters. Caesar had by now even eclipsed Pompey. However, the Senate wanted to strip him of his army and to prosecute him. This led him to demand that he be allowed to retain control of his legions to protect his interests when this was refused Caesar crossed the Rubicon and occupied Rome, which he saw as an act of self-defence against those who would harm him and his supporters<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>.

== Civil Wars (49-44 BCE)==

Caesar was by now the most powerful man in Rome, but he had many enemies. Pompey and his old foes the conservative Senators formed an alliance against Caesar. However, they had no legions at their disposal in Italy and they fled to the Balkans. Here they assembled a number of legions. The majority of the Roman Senate joined the Pompeiians as they came to be known and they controlled most of the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Caesar knew he was vulnerable and that many in Italy hated him, despite his generally tolerant and benign rule. He knew that he had to defeat Pompey. Caesar took several legions to the Balkans and confronted the army of Pompey. This campaign was very difficult for Caesar and he was lucky to escape a decisive defeat. The conqueror of the Gaul’s manoeuvred Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern Greece. Caesar was out-numbered, and his opponent was a great general. However, Caesar prevailed at Pharsalus and smashed the army of Pompey. This did not end the civil war. The victor returned to Rome and based on his success and the assertation that his enemies were a threat to the Republic he had himself declared Dictator, by the rump of the Senate who had not fled in 50 BCE. This was an office that gave him extraordinary powers, and he was effectively the sole ruler of the Roman Republic. He left Mark Anthony in control of Rome and Italy<ref> "Suetonius, Life of Caesar, LXXIV</ref>. Pompey escaped, after Pharsalus and he and other senators vowed to continue the war. Caesar was even after Pharsalus still not master of the Roman World. Pompey was killed by a Roman renegade on the orders of the Pharaoh, but his adherents continued the fight. The Pompeiians seized control of Africa and Spain. Caesar fought wars all over the Mediterranean and he emerged victorious. He knew that all long as his enemies were in the field that he was not secure. Caesar finally defeated his enemies at the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain. After there was no real resistance to the rule of Caesar and he returned to Rome and he had himself appointed Dictator for life. He was by 44 AD the supreme leader in the Roman World and he was arguably the first Emperor in Roman history, although the majority of authorities hold that Augustus was the first Emperor<ref> Osgood, Josiah. Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006) p. 60</ref>. This was based largely on his military prowess and his success on countless battlefields around Europe and the Middle East.