Julius Caesar Characteristics

Roman citizens agreed with the assassination of Julius Caesar because he became defiant towards Roman political structure as well as values and possessed a threat to Romans freedom.

The standard of Rome was honour, integrity and the familia. Being Roman meant being a part of something greater than oneself. Everything a Roman did was based on whether or not it brought honour to the family and Rome. These were all the values and characteristics that Caesar initially displayed. Although Caesar came from Roman patrician of lineage which could be traced back to Ulysses he did not hold these same social political values. Rome political system was checks and balances, which prevented the the very thing that Rome had just become victim to, monarchy.

Caesar pretends allies are threatening their safety so he can attack and kills over three hundred tribes destroys eight hundred cities and kills one million people in order to gain militant fame. He claims afterwards that his acts were done only in the name of Rome. Through this war he increases the land, slaves and wealth. Crassus was died leaving a power struggle between Caesar and Pompey. Pompey uses the law to relieve Caesar of general while in the field he refuses by crossing the grounds of Italy with his troops into war. The roman law stated no Roman general could cross Italy soil with their army without it being war declared against the declaration of the state. Caesar goes against Roman regulations to defend his honour not Romes. Rome is engaged in Civil War at the cost of opposing powers of Caesar and Pompey. The interest of Rome was not considered but the greed of Caesar was. Pompey was surprisingly murdered after the Civil War leaving no one to oppose Caesar dictating rule. Caesar now promises peace and stability to Rome. The senate bestow every honour they could legitimately give him while crowning him as dictator which he abused to later claim himself dictator for life. Some of the honours were not given to Caesar by choice of the Senate but upon his

The lupercalia is the final event where his true intentions come to light as Mark Antony Caesar’s friend attempts to crown him as king.

‘’...put a diadem on [Caesar’s] head. At this sight some few clapped…but the greater number groaned, and Caesar threw off the diadem. Antony again put it on him and again Caesar threw it off…When they saw that Caesar prevailed they shouted for joy…because he did not accept it

(Appian The Civil Wars 2.16.109)’’

Caesar tried to keep his motives from being exploited by taking the modest role when offered the diadem.Caesar began to think of himself more highly than he ought to, while defying the essence of Rome. Caesar had become to strong to defeat politically so he had to die. It was to late the people eyes had become open to the true motivation of his