Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar Julius Caesar was many things. Boswell called him, “the greatest man of any age” (Meier). Julius Caesar was a diplomat, a great politician. Everyone knows that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. As well as a leader, he was a writer and a military genius. He led Rome to war and took home victories time and time again. He was a lover, marrying Cleopatra after finding her in Egypt. This military leader led victory after victory and helped to set the life of the late Roman Republic. Diplomacy and politics in the United States are based on the Roman system. Julius Caesar helped build this great empire as well as a political role model. “Caesar was a politician and general of the late Roman republic, who greatly extended the Roman Empire before seizing power and making himself dictator of Rome, paving the way for the imperial system” (BBC). Julius Caesar was the one who progressed this system. “Caesar himself progressed within the Roman political system, becoming in succession, quaestor, aedile and praetor” (BBC). In order to be a politician, the person must also be good at public speaking. “Caesar later proved an incredibly talented, if not genial public speaker, and much of this will undoubtedly have come from his training in rhetoric” (“Julius Caesar”). Soon, however, he was corrupt with power and started to turn to dictatorship. Cicero said, “Our tyrant deserved to die. He was a man who wanted to be king of Roman people and master of the whole world. Those who agree with ambition like this must also accept the destruction of existing laws and freedoms” (History Learning Style). Julius Caesar did some good during this time of great power. “He used his power to carry our much-needed reform, relieving debt, enlarging the senate, building the Forumlulium and revising the calendar” (BBC). After his term, he tried to run again. “Caesar urged them to propose to the people that he be permitted to stand for a second consulship,