Analysis Of Julius Caesar's Motives For Launching The Gallic Wars

What was Julius Caesar’s motive for launching the Gallic Wars? Multiple arguments can be made to better understand his intensions. The first argument is that Caesar was responding to aggression in order to preserve the sovereignty of Rome. The second more likely explanation is that Caesar took over the Gaul to improve his political strength within the Roman republic and did so by exploiting the Celts. Caesar’s war commentaries, show evidence of his conflicting motives and actions to his invasion of the Gallic regions. Although there is some credibility to seek security, it is clear that the Gallic people did not present a significant threat to Rome, and is evident in Caesar’s campaigns in the Gaul and the opposition he faced. The primary source used to understand Caesar’s motives is a direct translation from Caesar’s personal

His motive was to bring justice to the peoples of Gaul who he claimed had been of threat to Italy. Caesar even claimed that “Rome was a victim of unprovoked aggression” as a result of the Helvetii’s actions. Where he said that Rome was obliged to punish them for their crimes. Caesar’s rhetoric continues to view the Germans as hostiles for crossing the Rhine River into Gaul. Regardless that the area crossing is further north of Italy he viewed them as a threat. As Caesar continued his campaign into Belgae, the people sought to respond to what they had seen as aggression due to Caesar’s occupation of their territories. Caesar justified this as a threat to Rome. Likewise Caesar made similar accusations of hostilities from Britain that they had supported the enemy, yet stated that only traders had travelled between Gaul and Britain. Caesar’s motive to conquer Gaul can be further seen through the responses and reactions of the Gallic people to his advance through the