Caesar
Caesar: Life of a Colosssus
by Adrian Goldsworthy
Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of the great Roman emperor’s life, Goldsworthy covers not only the great Roman emperor’s accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and rebel condemned by his own country. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later. In the introduction to his biography of the great Roman emperor, Adrian Goldsworthy writes, “Caesar was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator . . . as well as husband, father, lover and adulterer.” Goldsworthy examines Caesar as military leader, all of these roles and places his subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C.
BK Takeaways
Most of the things we remember Caesar for he accomplished after the age of 41
Caesar spent much of his early life learning from his mentors
Caesar believed that his success was divinely ordained and therefore his right
Caeser took great pride in his outward appearance
He craved to acheive more than anyone else had ever done
Believed that rules that bind others did not apply to him
Caesar went to great lengths to standout from other senators
5 years of successful war campaigning had raised him from a debtor on the brink of ruin to one of the Republic's wealthiest men
During the Civil War, Pompey won a huge victory over Caesar and had the opportunity to end the war. He instead decided to play it safe and pull his men back. Caeser would go on to defeat Pompey and become ruler of Rome
Today is going to be a good day, I have a feeling...
BK
