Julius Caesar: The Fifth Book Of De Bello Gallico

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Julius Caesar is one of if not the most successful and well-know generals in not just Roman, but world history. To be featured so much in the annals of history, Caesar had to lead an incredible army, and to lead this incredible army he needed the most brilliant minds at the helm of each legion. In Caesar's fifth book of De Bello Gallico he elaborates on the bravery and military genius that his leaders had to offer. In this book Caesar chooses to explore both the effective and ineffective leaders in his ranks, in doing so he explores both the good and bad qualities that his leaders have to offer. In the fifth book of De Bello Gallico Caesar writes about the achievements and bravery that his military leaders have, non-other is praised by Caesar …show more content…

The perfect example of this type of leader is Quintus Titurius. Whilst Cotta plans to follow the orders os Caesar and stay in the WQ's Titurius plans to do the opposite. Instead of following orders Titurius plans to depart from the WQ's based on his own feelings for the situation. The reasons behind this rash decision were that he thought Caesar had departed himself, he also believed that Caesar's apparent depart was a result of Tasgestius' death and the reason behind the Eburones coming to the camp with great contempt, (29, 4-7). Titurius also shows the full extent of his limited ability on the battlefield. Caesar criticizes his ability to plan strategy beforehand, as he says Titurius, "had foreseen nothing before," (33, 1). Titurius' lack of preparation causes him to "rush around" and "tremble", both of these give Caesar perfect reason to call him "cowardly", (33, 1-3). Finally, Caesar is able to judge that the common sense for Titurius is lacking, as he is completely willing to walk off the battlefield to converse with the enemy. Again, Titurius feels that this will ensure the safety of the soldiers, not using common sense to not approach an armed enemy, (36, 4-6). Caesar is able to determine that Titurius is rather ineffective due to the fact that he relies on feelings and doesn't plan

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