In this essay I will be describing, discussing and evaluating my chosen source. I will be using the references that I have chosen, in order to present a clear and concise source criticism, coming to a well rounded conclusion at the end.
The source is taken from the book 'Commentarii de Bello Gallico', which was written and edited by Aulus Hiritus and Julius Caesar and was published around 58 – 49 BC, sometime after Julius Caesars death. It is a secondary source which describes Julius Caesar's first-hand account of the nine-year period that he spent fighting the Celtic and Germanic people in Gaul. The book was written in order to inform the Roman people of the Gallic Wars from a source that they trusted, however it is biased meaning that Caesar may have had particular motives for writing it thus meaning that the content may also be influenced by Caesars motives. Caesars chronology of 'Commentarii de Bello Gallico' allows for him to react to the shifts in Rome's political climate (Timothy, R. Kimbrough, 2014, p. 3), which means that the source I have chosen to critique was written to suit Caesars immediate needs (G. Woolf, 2011, p.54), suggesting that the portrayal of joy that Caesar has been bestowed with could be exaggerated in order to fit the political climate in Rome, allowing him to maintain his position within the Senate and with the Roman population. The book contains information on the Gallic Wars and its purpose is to persuade the Roman people that Caesars appointment in Gaul and his actions during the Wars occurred in order to benefit the Roman state and the Roman people, regardless of the legality with which they were brought about (Timothy. R. Kimbrough, 2014, p.8).
However, the source also suggests that Caesar was popular and was a worthy figure head for the Roman Empire because he was prepared to face the unknown (H. Schadee, 2008, p.170), presenting the his readers that he was then welcomed by the towns and their people connotes that he was expressing his influence and power outside of Rome. The meaning of this source is that Caesar is attempting to exert his reputation and power over the Senate by recounting his actions during the Wars as for the benefit of the Roman empire, to the
In the determination of whether Julius Caesar was an intelligent, political hero or an egocentric, dictating villain, it is important to look at all of the facts. Born in 100 B.C.E. and assassinated in 44 B.C.E., Julius Caesar was legendary. He along Pompey, and Crassus created the first unofficial Triumvirate which was negotiated to appease both the Roman citizens and the power hungry rivals. Still, this agreement would not last long. After Pompey’s wife, Julia Caesar and daughter of Caesar’s daughter given to Pompey to establish the Trimvirate, dies in childbirth, civil war breaks out as Caesar leads his army against Rome. He fights until Pompey is murdered in Egypt. As Rome is “shattered,” Julius Caesar one person should rule. He
He is speaking about Julius Caesar and Caesar's arrogance and overconfidence. This quote also shows how Shakespeare perceived Julius Caesar as a prominent and influential man of his time. However, this view is not shared by all of the biographers that chose to write about Julius Caesar. In fact a famous ancient writer named Plutarch depicted Julius Caesar as a power-hungry and arrogant man in his biography The Life of Caesar. Plutarch was one of the world's first modern biographers and his work is still used today. Even Shakespeare used him as a historical reference in his
In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare shows how friends often betray each other. Julius Caesar is about to be crowned king of Rome, when some well-known Romans decide that it is not a good idea for this to happen. They form a conspiracy and kill Caesar. Brutus, an honorable Roman and a very good friend of Caesar’s, betrays Caesar by killing him for the good of Rome. Antony, Caesar’s best friend and another honorable Roman, betrays Brutus by turning against the conspirators. Cassius, a respected Roman, and Brutus betray each other by arguing and destroying their friendship. All this betraying lead to many deaths in the play.
Caesar possessed too much power. They said he was becoming a threat to the Roman Republic,
Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, and the other Senators held the power to do things others could not. With this authority came their ability to use poor judgement. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Julius Caesar the theme Power Corrupts is arrayed thoroughly. Murder, treason, and ethical/moral corruption were three prevalent themes that proved the overall topic of Power Corrupts.
Conflicting perspectives, What are they? Conflicting perspectives are a clash of ideologies and belief systems. When studying conflicting perspectives we are able to generate diverse and provocative insights, like the idea that is appealing to an audiences logic and reason is less effective in persuading them as opposed to appealing to their emotions which is more effective. This can be seen through the texts Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the article 'Arguments Against Abortion' by Kerby Anderson and the essay ‘Abortion and the Alternatives' by Voula Papas.
There have been many famous leaders in Roman history but none could match Julius Caesar[See Figure 1]. Julius Caesar was born on July 13, 100 BC in Rome and died March 15, 44 BC in Rome. Julius Caesar is best known for his military mind and how he laid the framework for the Roman Republic. One of the quotes he is famous for is "I came, I saw, I conquered." Caesar has not just influenced Rome, he also influenced the world too. The Roman Calendar was rigged to help political purposes. Caesar devised a new Calendar called the Julian Calendar to combat that manipulation[See Figure 2]. The Calendar still has an influence in Eastern Orthodox Christian countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Greece and much more. That is only one out of many
In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar there were many people that had major faults that hurt them but also so helped them in some cases. For example; Antony, Cassius, Brutus, and even Caesar himself. in that day in age patriotism was a noble thing and as many people stated Brutus was a noble man. Brutus didn't believe Caesar should have been in power and that Caesar was overly ambitious and that his ambition would cause problems for the kingdom.
Caesar is a very ambitious, which means he is eagerly desirous of gaining power and that he believes he can control his own fate. This quote from Caesar gives an example of Caesar being ambitious “Caesar shall forth, the things that threatened me ne’er looked but on my back when they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished.” Basically what Caesar is saying is that when danger sees his face it will run away and hide. This shows how Caesar thinks that he can control his own fate, but this is not the case.
These portrayals from required articles take a stance that is different than our textbooks. The stance our textbook takes is much more suited to Caesar being not only a great politician but, leader. It goes on to discuss his many successful endeavors, the opinions of his troops, and the vast empire he had acquired. The descriptive nature of the text uses such words as “awed” and “boldness” when describing his leadership qualities and, opinions of his troops. This is displayed in our text by, “Caesar won his soldiers’ loyalty with victories and plunder I Gaul, which he added to the Roman provinces, and he awed his troops with his boldness by crossing the channel to campaign in Britain.” (Hunt, Martin, Rosenwein, Smith 164). Another example of the views of his troops is stated as, “Caesar led his army against Rome. As he crossed Rubicon River, the official northern boundary of Italy, in early 49 B.C.E., he uttered the famous words signaling that there was now no turning back: “Let’s roll the dice.” His
(Julius Caesar Biography) Caesar began to have more adversaries once he started getting more power. With the measure of expert Caesar had, he transformed into a risk to the agents and the country (since he kept taking off various enhancements.) Caesar expected to control however much land and power as could be normal. Even though Caesar required tremendous control, he had envisioned that it was best for Rome to have serenity. He communicates that "It is more fundamental for Rome than for myself that I should survive. I have for quite a while been happy with power and splendor; be that as it may, should anything happen, Rome will welcome no peace. Another normal war will break out under much more unpleasant conditions than the
The perspective of Julius Caesar by Shakespeare is not exactly historically correct. In the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare changes somethings about main characters Brutus, Antony, and Caesar. Not only did Shakespeare move around the personalities, he also shifted some events that happened in history. Lastly, some things were not exactly historically accurate due to the fact some items in the play were not created just yet in the Roman times. Though Shakespeare did an amazing job at getting some plots correct, some believe that he was careless or ignorant to the history of Julius Caesar.
The driving forces in the play Julius Caesar are the characters Marcus Brutus, Julius Caesar, and Marc Antony. Julius Caesar is the center of the ordeal of leadership in Rome when the play begins. When Caesar returns to Rome he is looked upon by the fickle plebeians as a glorious and triumphant hero. The authority of his heroism is questioned when the honorable Marcus Brutus speaks to the townspeople during Caesar’s funeral. Brutus proves to be the better leader for Rome rather than Caesar or Antony. Brutus is wiser and more honorable than the other Romans. He was the only one truly looking out for the good of Rome and not himself.
Julius Caesar was a man who was uncommonly uncommon. He had never been brought around any kind of weaknesses. He was firm to face all dangers and wrongs that incorporated him. He had a tall and appealing stature and was to a great degree congenial. The overall population was something he was minding of, and it was minding of him, also. All his behavior were dumbfounding (Abbott 14). It was this that brought him to transform into a phenomenal general. He was to a great degree given on special strategies that would help him control the Roman officers who were harsh and incredibly willing to fight. He had a stand-out speed the degree that striking his foes. He had various qualities yet constancy was one of them, which helped him fight his battles. His troopers had complete endurance to him in light of his power capacities. The attributes he held made it worth fighting close-by Julius Caesar (SFUSD para.1).
Ever wondered what it takes to be a good king or ruler? Julius Caesar is one of the most famous rulers of all time. He was one of Rome’s greatest and most powerful leaders. His changes to the empire helped take Rome to new levels of success. The life of Caesar was short, yet great. It is important to learn about this great man and his many accomplishments.