Julius Caesar's Career

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Describe the methods Julius Caesar used to advance his career up to 60BC. 10 marks Gaius Julius Caesar was born into a patrician, aristocratic family in 100BC and can be considered the most famous and well-known man of ancient Rome. His methods used to advance his career up to 60BC are often thought to be controversial and topics of debate. The hostility among both ancient and modern sources must be examined but also allow for the acknowledgement of Caesar’s accomplishments including his political office, public popularity and role as pontifex. Marian connections, political alliances and marriages all contributed to Caesar’s success up until 60BC. Gaius Marius, a senatorial figure, married Caesar’s aunt which then immediately created a link…show more content…
In 73BC Caesar returned to Rome after his assistance in military activities in Asia Minor and attack on the pirates who held him ransom. On his return he became a member of the College of Pontiffs, a pontifex, and shortly after, became a military tribune. After the death of his aunt Julia and wife Cornelia in 69BC, Caesar was elected as a quaestor at the appropriate age, and served in Further Spain. By 65BC, he served as curile aedile and it was around this time his public popularity increased. “He ran for pontifex maximus… Caesar won by a comfortable margin. As a result, Caesar’s political career left him heavily in debt” (Keko). After the bona dea scandal, Caesar was forced to divorce Pompeia (as mentioned before) to sustain his reputation he had built so far. Still in debt, Caesar aligned with Crassus to pay his debts in return for political support and securely “assumed the governorship of Spain”. Now at 60BC, Caesar, Crassus and Pompey had secured an uncomfortable alliance – the First Triumvirate - but was necessary for any future…show more content…
15 marks According to the History Teacher’s Association, “the office of a dictator was a temporary, extraordinary magistracy created to deal with a military crisis”. Julius Caesar was announced dictator four times in his career – in 49BC for 11 days, in 48 for one year, in 46 for ten years and in 45 for life. During his dictatorship Caesar introduced several reforms “which he considered necessary to improve the state” (Koutsoukis). His main reforms involved colonies, citizenship and franchise, public buildings and works, the calendar, the senate and economics. The reform program came to an end at his
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