The Gallic War and Other Writings

by Gaius Julius Caesar, Moses Hadas (Translator; Introduction)

Introduction by Moses Hadas
Gallic War, I-VIII
Civil War, I-III
Alexandrine, African & Spanish Wars
Fragments
Gazetter
Map of the Roman Empire at his Death
Map of Gaul

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Classics, War, Military Fiction, Military History

363 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 51

About the author

born 12 July 100 BC
died 15 March 44 BC

Statesman and historian Julius Caesar, fully named Gaius Julius Caesar, general, invaded Britain in 55 BC, crushed the army of the politician Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 48 BC, pursued other enemies to Egypt, installed Cleopatra as queen in 47 BC, and returned to Rome, and the people in 45 BC gave him a mandate to rule as dictator for life; Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus feared that he intended to establish a monarchy and led a group of republicans, who on 15 March 44 BC murdered him.

Marcus Licinius Crassus joined Caesar and Pompey in the first triumvirate to challenge the power of the senate in 60 BC.

Pompey with Caesar and Crassus formed a ruling triumvirate from 60 BC to 53 BC, but Caesar later defeated Pompey.

Caesar conquered Iberian peoples of Aquitania in 56 BC.

Cassius led members of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.

Brutus conspired to assassinate Caesar.

After his assassination, Gaius Octavius, his grandnephew, in 44 BC took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, to whom English texts often refer simply as Octavian.


He notably authored Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events to the demise and the rise of the empire.

In 60 BC, Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus formed an alliance that dominated for several years. Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Marcus Tullius Cicero among the Optimates within the senate opposed their attempts to amass power as Populares.

Victories of Caesar in the Gallic wars, completed before 51 BC, extended territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar first then built a bridge across the Rhine and crossed the channel.

After the death of Crassus in 53 BC, his rival realigned with the senate, but these achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing. With the Gallic wars concluded, the senate ordered Caesar to step from his military.

Caesar refused the order and instead crossed the Rubicon with the thirteenth legion, left his province, and illegally entered Italy under arms to mark his defiance in 49 BC. Civil war resulted, and victory put Caesar him in an unrivalled position of power and influence.

Julius Caesar assumed control of government and afterward began a program of social reforms, including the creation of the calendar. He centralized the bureaucracy, and proclamation "in perpetuity" eventually gave him additional authority. Nevertheless, people resolved not the underlying conflicts, and on the ides, 15 March 44 BC, rebellious senators assassinated Caesar.

We know much from own accounts of military campaigns of Caesar and from other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the writings of Gaius Sallustius Crispus. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus and Mestrius Plutarchus wrote the later biographies, also major sources. Many people consider supreme military greatness of Caesar.

People regarded Caesar during his time of the best orators and prose authors in Latin; even Cicero spoke highly of his rhetoric and style. Only war commentaries of Caesar survived. From other works, other authors quote a few sentences. He wrote his funeral oration for Julia, his paternal aunt, among his lost works. Cicero published praise; in response, he wrote Anticato , a document, to defame Cato. Ancient sources also mention poems of Julius Caesar.

A new series of civil wars broke, and people never restored the constitutional government. Octavian, adopted heir of Gaius Julius Caesar, defeated his opponents in the civil war and afterward rose to sole power as Augustus. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the empire began.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a marvel that this text has made it through the centuries. Written during the last days of the Roman Republic, a young Julius Caesar makes his impact on the German and Gallic tribes. His early invasion of Britain to the final siege of Alesia, a great story of Roman arms. A must for all to understand the beginnings of the Roman Empire.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a time of impressive men, Julius Caesar was THE MAN. Just ask him.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caesar's insights into the traditions of the Gaulish Celts, particularly the order of the druids, is fascinating, but the detailed descriptions of battles, especially when he frequently applauds his own heroism, can get a little tiring. It is fairly obvious that he is rewriting history to make himself look better. This was a very quick read and it was so interesting to learn a little bit of the Roman perspective, something which I will have to incorporate into my Celtic studies at some point anyway.

But, translating the original Latin presented a completely different experience...tricky stuff, but I slogged through it and am more than a little proud that I did. Does my translation make much sense? Of course not. Caesar would probably be appalled!!

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

We had to read this in second year high school Latin in "the original." Of course, the text was modernized in ways which would have perplexed the author(s). It had punctuation, distinguished between upper and lower cases in accord with established rules, included diacriticals to facilitate pronunciation and had copious notes to help us with the more difficult words and concepts. It is the only authentic Latin text I have ever read completely with understanding. Only two years of language were required and I was terrible at grammar--incapable of remembering conjugations for more than a couple of hours of cramming for an exam. Years later, in college, I tried Kepler in Latin as a bedtime read, but failed to get more than the gist of it. Now all that remains is some vocabulary.

I got through Latin classes with grades of B, C and D--my worst performance in any subject, rivalled only by A.P. Chemistry. And these were charity grades. The teachers of Latin I and II were impressed by my interest in and knowledge of Roman history. Besides, I even joined Latin Club for a year (ugh!) and probably did have the best "Derivative Notebook" in class.

The general consensus is that Caesar wrote (or dictated)'The Civil Wars' and the beginning of 'The Gallic War', but not the end of it. He probably had nothing to do with the commentaries of the Alexandrine, Spanish and African wars.

[Ev · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent translation into modern English of the greatest work of propaganda ever written.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

he just wasn't that great of an author. And the war was kind of a jerky enterprise. Not a big fan.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the Gallic War; I'm not too interested in the Civil War at this moment. I got a lot of insight into the way the Gauls and Germans lived and fought. It is very interesting to see how the Gauls and the Germans came to be so different. I was so impressed by Gaul's efforts at independence from Rome, and I think Julius Caesar did a lot to make it clear his respect for their military tactics and their dedication to the cause. It was also a lot of fun for me, personally, to hear about Caesar stopping at Trier and Vienne for reinforcements, since I've been to both of those places and seen their Roman ruins. This book really brings it all to life for me. I will say, however, that to me it was pretty boring until about page 130 or so when they start talking about Druids and stuff.

[Jack Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just "okay." While it was interesting to have Caesar's first-hand account of his victories and travels, the bias was often overpowering, and his attempts to paint a picture of his bravado and heroism seemed conceited and honestly a little desperate. The writing itself was often dry and the content sometimes needed additional explanation, which was supplied by footnotes and an excellent introduction. The dull writing was made up for in unbelievable first hand accounts of the Gallic war and the insight into the different groups at play (the Belgae, the Celts and the Aquitani). Overall, the book was interesting, but by no means anything other than mediocre. I give it three stars.

[Jorge Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. An incredibly comprehensive and well written memoir of an ancient and consequential war by the man Julius Caesar himself. The Gallic War is not only history, but was also a tool used to make history. Julius Caesar wrote in compelling and no non-sense pros. It is clear why the Romans read this so eagerly, and why it helped his popularity in the home front.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. It's not my style, but because we worked with this for over four months, i started to like it and i love the thought that what happened in here is reality. Caesar is such a fascinating person.

[Diane]

This is the closest I could find to the book I have. My copy has a gold-embossed tan and black hard cover. It doesn't say anywhere who the translator is and the introduction and appreciation are by H.E.L. Mellersh. It doesn't contain an ISBN no. Looks nice, though ...

[James Violand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caesar was not a megalomaniac. He was brilliant and ambitious, knew how to spur his men to victory and was magnanimous to his defeated enemies. His accounts of these wars offer an insight into the man, not the myth. A very good read.

[Maksim Ovtsinnikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Посылаю тебе, Постум, эти книги.
Что в столице? Мягко стелют? Спать не жестко?
Как там Цезарь? Чем он занят? Все интриги?
Все интриги, вероятно, да обжорство.

[Tom Keenan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was tortured with this in Latin Class in High School. I thought a straight translation might be more enjoyable(??). After all he certainly had an enormous effect on the Roman world (and therefore with everything that followed). But he refers to the "nations" which means the Celtic and Germanic tribes of the era. Caesar probably wasn't the first to use his accounts as PR for his own position but he was clearly effective at it. Things can be discerned about different tribal practices and histories but mostly it's just tedious.

[Count Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely essential reading for anyone who wants to feel their time in Western Civ wasn't just an exercise in prepping for pop quizzes with the other hundred students in their section. Nonessential, but nonetheless interesting, reading to military leaders who want to learn about leadership models prior to the advent of sociology and psychology.

For everyone else, probably give this one a miss, just watch the Rome tv show on HBO; it's good fun and the costumes are dynamite.

[Arttu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erittäin mielenkiintoinen aikalaiskokemus erittäin mielenkiintoisesta historiallisesta tapahtumasta. Pääosin todella mielenkiintoisesti kirjoitettu, mutta parissa kohdassa luettelee myös kauhean määrän heimoja ja niiden joukkojen määriä sun muuta.

[Kien Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly straight-forward read on Caesar's wars and tactics. Great for historians or military-enthusiasts, can be dry for normal readers.

[Ι.Γ. Θωμάς · Rating 5 out of 5]

The commentary about these two centurions, T. Pullo and L. Vorenus is amusing.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess I didn't finish it. I'm just not that interested in the Gallic war!

But it was fascinating, for 100 pages or so, because Caesar's account of fighting the Gauls reveals so much about his character: encouraging to his troops, merciful to those he's conquered and even, at times, those who have betrayed him, and a wise strategist in battle. He was a remarkable leader (and not just b/c he said so -- the intro says that contemporaneous writers agree with his account of his own leadership).

Plus, he was a clear, vivid writer. No wonder he was THE Caesar of all Caesars.

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great account of the Roman conquest of Gaul.

[Jeff]

A fascinating and concise "history" of Caesar's campaign in Gaul.

[Galicius · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Defeat of Ariovistus and the Germans From 'The Gallic Wars'

[Doron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn about leadership.