Caesar’s Popularity Amongst The People
From 133 BC to 60 BC, the Roman citizens heard far too many false claims of liberation and revolution, until one man took charge: Gaius Julius Caesar. The Senate had become corrupt, focused on protecting the interests of the aristocrats at the expense of the poor. Unemployment, poverty, crime, violence, and bribery were high, other living conditions were deteriorating, and Rome was generally unstable and chaotic. The poor yearned for governance that would afford them opportunities for better lives. They craved a chief who could communicate and execute reforms convincingly and decisively. Caesar’s rise to power began in 60 BC when the first triumvirate was formed. His charismatic speeches gained the public’s …show more content…
When it came to gaining popularity, Caesar was, as Robert Garland writes, “enormously charismatic and, to put it crudely, a deft schmoozer - highly adept at working the crowd… he won the hearts of thousands” Caesar was able put on a personality that allowed the masses to see and hear what they wanted to; he only gave them what they wanted; his reputation, even if fake, became nearly impeccable and greatly respected by public. Unlike previous rulers who hid from the public and rarely made appearances, Caesar “was completely at home with the ordinary people…” as Ernle Bradford writes. Along with being open and relatable to the public, “to his social inferiors, including his legionaries and the urban poor, he was Mr Affability.” writes Robert Garland. As a result of this, the common people received a forthright, approachable feeling from Caesar, one which they had not seen or felt from a ruler for years. Plutarch, like Ernle Bradford, points out, “Caesar achieved great popularity at Rome through his skill as a speaker, while the common people loved him because of his friendliness in dealing with them. He was most endearing for someone so young.” The masses felt a somewhat personal connection to Caesar; he was their ruler and a friend. Caesar’s kind personality showed throughout his accomplishments and …show more content…
Even before Caesar’s birth he already had common ground with the people; his heritage was well known for supporting the proletariat and being members of the Populares. In fact, Caesar was the nephew of Gaius Marius, who was the populares’ leader and the people’s hero. “From the beginning of his career he had followed the popular, Marian alignment of his family. He had greatly restored the power of the people as a means of reducing the power of the Optimate senate.” writes Ernle Bradford. This strong relationship with other people pleasers gave Caesar a boost in political popularity and power. Caesar grew up amongst fellow citizens in the slums of the Subura knowing how the poor felt and their needs. Upon his rise to political power “it was obvious to everyone that Caesar was a man of tremendous gifts who could rise high in the government if he could overcome the entrenched optimates. If he could, the common people of Rome knew that they would have a powerful advocate.” points out Philip Freeman. The public knew Caesar was what they needed; together the man of action could act as the public’s voice. The thought of such a leader gave the masses confidence in a better
From 133 BC to 60 BC, the Roman citizens heard far too many false claims of liberation and revolution, until one man took charge: Gaius Julius Caesar. The Senate had become corrupt, focused on protecting the interests of the aristocrats at the expense of the poor. Unemployment, poverty, crime, violence, and bribery were high, other living conditions were deteriorating, and Rome was generally unstable and chaotic. The poor yearned for governance that would afford them opportunities for better lives. They craved a chief who could communicate and execute reforms convincingly and decisively. Caesar’s rise to power began in 60 BC when the first triumvirate was formed. His charismatic speeches gained the public’s …show more content…
When it came to gaining popularity, Caesar was, as Robert Garland writes, “enormously charismatic and, to put it crudely, a deft schmoozer - highly adept at working the crowd… he won the hearts of thousands” Caesar was able put on a personality that allowed the masses to see and hear what they wanted to; he only gave them what they wanted; his reputation, even if fake, became nearly impeccable and greatly respected by public. Unlike previous rulers who hid from the public and rarely made appearances, Caesar “was completely at home with the ordinary people…” as Ernle Bradford writes. Along with being open and relatable to the public, “to his social inferiors, including his legionaries and the urban poor, he was Mr Affability.” writes Robert Garland. As a result of this, the common people received a forthright, approachable feeling from Caesar, one which they had not seen or felt from a ruler for years. Plutarch, like Ernle Bradford, points out, “Caesar achieved great popularity at Rome through his skill as a speaker, while the common people loved him because of his friendliness in dealing with them. He was most endearing for someone so young.” The masses felt a somewhat personal connection to Caesar; he was their ruler and a friend. Caesar’s kind personality showed throughout his accomplishments and …show more content…
Even before Caesar’s birth he already had common ground with the people; his heritage was well known for supporting the proletariat and being members of the Populares. In fact, Caesar was the nephew of Gaius Marius, who was the populares’ leader and the people’s hero. “From the beginning of his career he had followed the popular, Marian alignment of his family. He had greatly restored the power of the people as a means of reducing the power of the Optimate senate.” writes Ernle Bradford. This strong relationship with other people pleasers gave Caesar a boost in political popularity and power. Caesar grew up amongst fellow citizens in the slums of the Subura knowing how the poor felt and their needs. Upon his rise to political power “it was obvious to everyone that Caesar was a man of tremendous gifts who could rise high in the government if he could overcome the entrenched optimates. If he could, the common people of Rome knew that they would have a powerful advocate.” points out Philip Freeman. The public knew Caesar was what they needed; together the man of action could act as the public’s voice. The thought of such a leader gave the masses confidence in a better