Documentary Julius Caesar Roman Civil War – How Did it all Start?

Julius Caesar was one of Rome’s greatest generals and leaders but also a divider as well as uniter.

He was one of the best generals in history conquering much of Gaul (modern France) and invaded Britain for a short time.

After conquering many foreign lands his many enemies in Rome called him back which they new without his army would be helpless.

Many in Rome looked at him as a threat since he had become very popular with his many victories abroad.

Eventually, Caesar did return crossing an infamous river called the Rubicon which no General or army was to cross.

The Rubicon was a small river that by law no Roman general could cross with a Roman army.

If he did not take his army he would be helpless and at the mercy of his many enemies.

After much thought, he crossed the Rubicon uttering the famous phrase ālea iacta est (“the die has been cast”).

Today, the phrase “crossing the Rubicon” is a metaphor that means to pass a point of no return.

Once into mainland Italy, a civil war began between his followers and the old guard of Rome.

The old guard was lead by Pompey, C. Claudius Marcellus, L. Cornelius Lentulus Crus, and a large part of the Roman Senate which fled Rome in fear.

The old guard viewed him as a dictator wanting to take the power away from the Senate and the people.

Before Caesar, a leader (Console) in Rome could only be in charge of Rome for 1 year.

Caesar looked to become a leader for life which eventually he did ending the Roman Republic in 27 BC that stood for 400 years.