Caesar – The Revolutionary of Roman Military Affairs

In Romans’ view, Caius Julius Caesar was not only a writer, a politician, a triumvir, but also a visionary, a general, a founder and a revolutionary of military art and politics.

Through his wars, Caesar brought a new perspective as the creator of a true reform of political and military affairs. A brilliant mind, Caesar made of the military art a political platform, his political consecration being actually his military glory, the war with the Gauls. By inspired military manoeuvres and a well planned strategy, Caesar conquered the entire Gaul, a very large and resourceful territory. The conquest of Gaul gave Caesar the opportunity to conquer Rome, as the sole leader, with a new redoubtable political actor on his side, the army. Alea iacta est and the Rubicon was crossed by the founder of a new political and military power, the empire. The commander of the army, imperator, also becomes the political commander of the Republic, transformed by Caesar into an empire. By the civil war, Caesar accomplished the revolution of military and political affairs, changing the army from an institution of power into a political institution, a government partner of the supreme military leader who became Rome’s too, a fact carried out by his heir, Augustus. Caesar turned the war into a political affair, dominating his political and military opponents through ambition, consistency, intelligence, acumen, charisma, the qualities worthy of a world military leader.