Julius Caesar was a great political leader who was the bridge from the old Roman Republic to an Empire. One of the most famous Roman Rulers of the time Julius Caesar, through his reforms and actions he brought the Roman Republic to its knees. Although Julius Caesar was an accomplished military leader, statesman and politician, his motives and actions would damage the Roman Republic. The way Julius Caesar contributed to the breakdown of the Roman republic was through his involvement in the civil war, the motives he had while being the dictator of Rome and how his death would bring about a civil war and the beginning to the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar was the final straw to the breakdown of the Roman Republic.
Steps leading up to the civil …show more content…
Caesar was given the title of dictator for ten years after a victorious command in Africa. During the years 46 and 45 Caesar held consulship; he may have done this to disguise from the people his true intentions of ruling Rome as one man. Throughout this time Caesar accepted honours and offices which were otherwise unnecessary. In the following year was when his true intentions were shown; he took the title dictator for life. “Never before had Rome endured a dictator who set no limit to his dictatorship.” (Cowell P256) During Caesar 's dictatorship, the roman coins began to depict his head; previously only men of great power had appeared. Conspirators began to believe that Caesar wanted to become rex (king). Suetonius stated that “when they hailed him as king, "I am Caesar and no king.” (Suetonius) The previous Roman Republic was no more with Caesar having complete control of the empire. Conspiracy caused worry with the roman people as the previous roman monarchy was widely disliked; in an attempt to embarrass Caesar some of the conspirators spread rumours about a rise to kingship. Nicolas of Damascus wrote that “at first a few men started the conspiracy… formerly member of the opposite faction…” (Nicolas 19-22) Some reasons why the conspirators thought there would be a rise to kingship were that Julius Caesar; wore a purple toga, which symbolised royalty; he suggested an heir; he named the month July after himself and he had his body guard remove rumours of attempts against his life. The Roman Empire feared a return to kingship, Julius Caesar 's motives added to this fear as it can be debated that he wanted to be king. Julius Caesar 's motives caused so much unsettlement with the conspirators that they took his
Steps leading up to the civil …show more content…
Caesar was given the title of dictator for ten years after a victorious command in Africa. During the years 46 and 45 Caesar held consulship; he may have done this to disguise from the people his true intentions of ruling Rome as one man. Throughout this time Caesar accepted honours and offices which were otherwise unnecessary. In the following year was when his true intentions were shown; he took the title dictator for life. “Never before had Rome endured a dictator who set no limit to his dictatorship.” (Cowell P256) During Caesar 's dictatorship, the roman coins began to depict his head; previously only men of great power had appeared. Conspirators began to believe that Caesar wanted to become rex (king). Suetonius stated that “when they hailed him as king, "I am Caesar and no king.” (Suetonius) The previous Roman Republic was no more with Caesar having complete control of the empire. Conspiracy caused worry with the roman people as the previous roman monarchy was widely disliked; in an attempt to embarrass Caesar some of the conspirators spread rumours about a rise to kingship. Nicolas of Damascus wrote that “at first a few men started the conspiracy… formerly member of the opposite faction…” (Nicolas 19-22) Some reasons why the conspirators thought there would be a rise to kingship were that Julius Caesar; wore a purple toga, which symbolised royalty; he suggested an heir; he named the month July after himself and he had his body guard remove rumours of attempts against his life. The Roman Empire feared a return to kingship, Julius Caesar 's motives added to this fear as it can be debated that he wanted to be king. Julius Caesar 's motives caused so much unsettlement with the conspirators that they took his