How ruthless was Julius Caesar? Well, first, who was Julius Caesar? Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesmen, Consul, and Emperor born in 100 B.C. He played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He did many appalling things for power, and many would consider him to be very ruthless, while others would say that he was not ruthless. Well, what does it mean to be ruthless? To be ruthless means having or showing no pity or compassion for others. If a person is ruthless they are very harsh, merciless, and cruel, and will do anything necessary to achieve what they want; they do not care about how their acts affect other people. So, was Julius Caesar ruthless or not? Did he sincerely care about other people, show compassion and pity, or did he do whatever necessary to get what he wanted? Although some of …show more content…
Although Caesar took many ruthless actions to get to power, once he got there he was a good leader who did many good things. “He revised the Roman calendar, made the senate more representative of citizenry, and gave discharged soldiers and even the urban poor the opportunity to own a bit of land”. Caesar did many terrible things to get to power, but when he got there he did many things. It doesn’t mean that his actions were justified; only that he did a few good things when he finally got power. He killed thousands of people, married only for political reasons, feed people twisted stories about what he had actually accomplished, cared only about certain people, and often times had alternative motives for doing something nice. He did almost everything in his life just to gain more popularity, which in turn gave him more power. If Julius Caesar had not been so ruthless, how would the Roman Empire have turned out, and where would we be
Julius Caesar was a strong leader for the Romans who changed the course of the history of the Greco - Roman world decisively and irreversibly. With his courage and strength he created a strong empire. What happened during his early political career? How did he become such a strong dictator of the Roman Empire? What events led up to the making of the first triumvirate? How did he rise over the other two in the triumvirate and why did he choose to take over? What happened during his reign as dictator of Rome? What events led up to the assassination of Caesar? What happened after he was killed? Caesar was a major part of the Roman Empire because of his strength and his strong war strategies. Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman whose dictatorship was pivotal in Rome’s transition from republic to empire. When he was young Caesar lived through one of the most horrifying decades in the history of the city of Rome. The city was assaulted twice and captured by Roman armies, first in 87 BC by the leaders of the populares, his uncle Marius and Cinna. Cinna was killed the year that Caesar had married Cinna’s daughter Cornelia. The second attack upon the city was carried our by Marius’ enemy Sulla, leader of the optimates, in 82 BC on the latter’s return from the East. On each occasion the massacre of political opponents was followed by the confiscation of their property. The proscriptions of Sulla, which preceded the reactionary political legislation enacted during his dictatorship left a particularly bitter memory that long survived. Caesar left Rome for the province of Asia on the condition that he divorce his wife because Sulla would only allow him to leave on that condition. When he heard the news that Sulla had been killed he returned to Rome. He studied rhetoric under the distinguished teacher Molon. In the winter of 75-74 BC Caesar was captured by pirated and, while in their custody awaiting the arrival of the ransom money which they demanded, threatened them with crucifixion , a threat which he fulfilled immediately after his release. He then returned to Rome to engage in a normal political career, starting with the quaetorship which he served in 69-68 BC in the province of Further Spain. In the Roman political world of the sixties the dominance of the optimates was challenged by Pompey and Crassus. The optimates, led by Q...
Julius Caesar was very heroic to the Roman people. He did a wonderful job in conquering
Julius Caesar is shown to have many reprehensible character flaws over the course of the drama. Namely, he is illustrated as having a belligerent sense of arrogance. Initially, the great majority of the Roman public adores and esteems Caesar. However, this adoration inflates his sense of self-pride and arrogance. For example, in the play’s introduction Caesar is given warning about a plot to extirpate him from the throne. A soothsayer warns him to “beware the ides of March” (890). Rather than to obviate the attempt, Caesar blows off the Soothsayer, stating “he is a dreamer, let us leave him” (890). Later in Act II, Caesar has been informed of dead men walking, a lioness giving birth in the street...
Facts: Brutus never saw the actions or characteristics of the powerful Caesar, positively. Throughout his reign, Caesar completed good deeds such as caring for the captured citizens of Rome; “he hath brought many captives home to Rome, whose ransoms the general coeffers [filled],” and he established new beginnings for each of them, too (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 241-242).
...e him a better dictator. One of his greatest traits was that he was able to rule with an iron fist, but in my opinion I don’t think he abused his power since all he was trying to do was make Rome a huge and dominant empire. Obviously people who didn’t know him too well didn’t understand him, which made him appear as a scary and ruthless ruler, but even Cicero was able to change his mind about Caesar before the Gallic war was over. In the end, Caesar was one of the best dictators our world has ever seen.
Julius Caesar was the dictator of Rome in his prime. Some say his journey to the top was paved in corruption, other claimed he was a man of the people. His enemies knew to fear him for his ruthlessness. His followers adored him because everything that he had succeeded in was done for them. Unfortunately, his betrayal transpired by his senators who felt he had grown too powerful and stabbed him to death. However, Julius Caesar’s connection to the political world, his innate ability as an army general, and his desire to advocate for the rights of his people made him a great leader.
The demise of the Roman Republics authoritative power is an event that still holds the focus of modern society. While he is often held accountable for the fall, Gaius Julius Caesar’s rise to power and continuing ambition was not the only factor that caused its eventual downfall. His involvement and inclusion in the creation of the First Triumvirate and the ongoing civil war between Pompey and himself brought around his rise to power, and his reforms quickly affected the social, economic and political structure of Roman society. His rule both started in civil war, and ended in it; ultimately causing an end to republican institutions.
He won many great battles bringing back slaves back to Rome for freedom. He also brought gold and other spoils of war to his empire for the riches use. He was my friend, faithful and just to me, But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And sure he is an honorable man. (III.ii.82–96) Julius Caesar was admired by many of the great Roman senators who valued him for his acumen and courage. He had his solders under his complete control because the worshiped him so much. Even though Julius Caesar had a lot of pros being a good leader, he also had cons. He had deception towards his allies making him a little untrustworthy. In addition, to his rivals Caesar’s sportsmanship was not the best either since he was devious and
One of the grandest dominions in all of the world was once ruled by a man whose name is Julius Caesar. His decisions impacted the structure of government throughout Rome’s lifespan. Caesar shaped the Republic of Rome on his own, and would conquer much of Europe in his time. Caesar’s life was influenced mainly by war and hate, which would also lead to the end of his own life. Julius Caesar would enter history as one of the most impinging rulers in all of Europe and the world.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is an intimate portrayal of the famed assassination of Julius Caesar and the complex inner workings of the men who committed the crime. In one particularly revealing scene, two of the men closest to Caesar, one a conspirator in his murder and one his second-in command, give orations for the deceased. Despite being simple in appearance, these two speeches do much of the work in developing and exposing the two characters in question. Though both have a love for Caesar, Mark Antony's is mixed with a selfish desire for power, while Brutus' is pure in nature, brought to a screeching halt by his overpowering stoicism. These starkly-contrasted personalities influence the whole of the play, leading to its tragic-but-inevitable end.
Julius Caesar is a moral, ethical man. He is a selfless man who puts others before himself. When Artemidorus gets word of the conspirator’s plans, he writes a letter to Caesar to warn him of his impending fate and rushes to the Capitol to give him word. Upon telling Caesar the letter is concerning him, Caesar simply brushes it off and responds, “What touches oneself shall be served last”(III,I, 8). Caesar altruistically puts aside an urgent manner concerning him to accept the offer of becoming King of Rome, which is the reason he went to the Capitol in the first place, which shows he is a benevolent, thoughtful person. In
Julius Caesar can only be seen as a destroyer of the Roman Republic as he was arrogant, egotistic, and manipulated the government to his advantage. The Roman Republic’s republican form of government was intended to represent the needs of all Roman citizens. Yet Caesar’s arrogant actions during his reign turned the government into an organization dedicated solely to his personal gain of power, fame, and glory. At the height of his reign, Caesar had received every honor the Roman Republic could give him. He was the high-priest, a high-ranking judge, and pro-consul (Source 1). Caesar believed he also deserved to be dictator of Rome for life so he requested the title and was granted it. He was also made consul of Rome for ten years even though this position was only supposed to be held for a year (Source 4). But even this was not enough for Caesar; he wanted to be “king of Rome” and his arrogance led him to dedicate his life to achieving this title (Source 1). His arrogance then reached the point where he believed himself to be descended from Venus, the goddess of beauty; he used his power to have a marble forum bearing his name and a temple for Venus built. He was determined to be considered “godly” (Source 3,...
A tragic hero is the antithesis for the common protagonist. Most protagonists show how they overcome great obstacles however, the tragic hero shows a more humane character, that stumbles and falls. The tragic hero usually exhibits three specific traits that lead to his or her downfall. In the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the characters of Brutus and Caesar both exhibit the three attributes of a tragic character. The first trait of any tragic hero is a high rank and potential for greatness. Both Brutus and Caesar hold his trait, as they are beloved high ranking Romans. The second characteristic a tragic hero must possess; is a fatal flaw that dominates their personality, and Brutus’ sense of justice and Caesar’s ego, fulfill this
Ambition is defined as a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Some may look at this to as a bad thing or a good thing. Some may say that i moderation it is fine. For example, in Julius Caesar, Brutus kills Caesar for having too much ambition. A tragic fall is considered when the main character lets something less than what they are bring them down. When they let their flaw get to them and drive them towards their own demise. The reason people see this is a bad thing is because it can lead to making the person do bad things that will result in possibly dangerous consequences. The reason why some may think ambition is good is because sometimes it is the only thing motivating someone
Julius Caesar was a powerful king. Too much power even. That’s what conspirators Cassius, Casca, Cinna and many others thought. They believed in another individual who would be a better leader; Marcus Brutus. Brutus was noble, honorable, and ambitious. He had just enough ambition for him to be a good ruler. This wasn’t the case for Caesar. Caesar wanted so much power and right away too. He had ruled the Roman Empire; which was thought to be the entire world at the time. If there was more power to be absorbed, Caesar would have gone any length to achieve that power. This caused people to be afraid of him, and more importantly; despised him. It was one of his most fatal flaws! (No pun intended) Yes, maybe some people were too blind to see it, but the conspirators who took action, saw it.