Julius Caesar and the Gallic Wars

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Evaluate the significance of the Gallic Wars in the Career of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar’s involvement in the Gallic Wars was a vital factor in his successful career, it had a major impact on both his military and political status. Caesar’s involvement in the Gallic wars was a daring and ambitious move, as per his financial circumstances at the time. However, it was a necessary decision if he were “to make a career at all” [Plutarch]. The Gallic Wars was an opportunity Caesar utilized to obtain a proconsular command that would propel his rise to power and status. The military strength and wealth he gained through his conquests in Gaul would pave his way to a successful career. He was so successful in his campaign that he became famous for his phrase “I came, I saw, I conquered” and the modern historian H.H Scullard even describes him as a man with “outstanding abilities”. Thus the Gallic Wars played a significant role in Julius Caesar’s Career, both politically and militarily. Caesar’s reputation as a General, who is considered to be more prominent than Pompey the great, was not comprehended until the Gallic Wars. Instead he was known to be one of the ablest orators and “most adroit politicians of the day”[F.B Marsh] and his military skills were most likely not rated very highly. However, during his campaigns in Gaul he earned the reputation of a man who fought alongside his men and “killed greater numbers of the enemy”[Plutarch]. The period of time he spent in Gaul has proved Caesar to be “One of the world’s greatest soldiers”[Scullard] and an exceptional commander that was admired for his leadership and ability to secure the affection of his men. Plutarch states that in less than ten years Caesar had stormed “more than 800 cities, subdued 300 nations, and fought ... with three million men”. More significantly however is the strong bond he formed with the
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