How did the methods used by Julius Caesar to rule the Roman empire contribute to his assassination?

Answer 1

Julius Caesar's approach to ruling the Roman Empire after the defeat of Pompey was certainly an approach that led to his downfall. The conspirators who assassinated the most powerful man in Rome did so out of fear if for no other reason. One of Caesar's methods that were in fact quite generous was his pardon of Senators who had been against him in the Civil War. He allowed these men to return to Rome in safety and without punishment.

Many of the high ranking people in Rome could see that Caesar was a man of great intelligence. He was not simply a victorious general with no talents expect those involved with warfare. Quite often in history we see that people with the leadership qualities of a Caesar are persons to be feared. Caesar would not have been so great a threat to the Republic or to the aristocracy if he was perceived as a leader of lesser intelligence.

The aristocracy of Rome had power through the structure of the Senate. It was indeed themselves who had appointed Caesar to be dictator for life. Looking back, the Senate could have reaped the benefits of Caesars skills and ambition to work hard for the benefit of Rome if they had simply had appointed him for the 10 years or even less, such as 5 years. Caesar would have been just as beneficial to Rome as a 10 year dictator. What Caesar might have done to extend this term is not certain. But if there was a limit imposed on Caesar's term of office, it may have been a less threatening situation.

Historians then and now can all point out to us the so-called reasons that led to a Senatorial conspiracy. It's a short list actually and as a student of history and political science I believe the real reason Caesar had to be killed was the Senate's fear of Caesar and his popularity with the people of Rome. Caesar's special relationship with the Roman legions were another source of their fears.

Caesar's methods and the perception they made that led to his down fall are the following:

1. His ambitions were suspect and uncertain;

2. He awarded Roman citizenship to non-Italians;

3. This grant was made to some of Rome's former enemies in Gaul;

4. He was granted the right to be buried within the walls of Rome; No other leader in this "new Rome" had that honor;

5. He made changes in government and began projects without enough consultations with the Senate.

6. His birthday became a public holiday;

7. He sat in a golden chair when presiding over the Senate, which he earlier had enlarged from 600 to 900;

8. Cleopatra remained his mistress and she still held her office as Queen of Egypt; ( of course she and the ruling family before her were Greeks not Egyptians )

9. He built a new temple of the goddess Venus and had a statue of Cleopatra in it;

10. He wore a toga totally colored purple; ( some historians even add that this color was expensive to produce as if money was too precious to spend on his wardrobe )

11. Roman coinage had his image on it;

All this, according to historians, had leading senior senators fearful that Caesar wanted to be a "king". And, to add to their furry were the items of irritation, such as the purple robe, or the "birthday holiday"

To Romans the title of king was an anathema that had been cast aside with the end of the Etruscan kings of yesteryear.

Caesar performed his duties as a dictator would be expected to perform them. His methods thus were no worse then that of Sulla. The items numbered 1 to 11 supposedly were of great affront to the Senate. The fear of a lost "republic"

really meant a fear of a lost oligarchy comprised of the leading and immensely wealthy senators.

The Senators involved in the successful conspiracy were short sighted in two ways. One was the risk of a "leak" that would have been the end of the conspiracy leaders. The second evidence of their foolishness was their failure to see that at best this could cause another civil war, which it did. The worst was the elevation of one of Caesar's relatives to reign Rome with unrivaled power.

It has been said that Caesar was not perceptive enough to realize his methods of performing the duties of dictator were an affront to the Senate. In fact Caesar over estimated the wisdom of the Senate. The Senate's idea of a "republic" did not match reality, a reality they themselves help create. In the long run, their lack of wisdom caused their premature deaths and the end of the power of their own families that now would not replaced.