воскресенье, 21 августа 2022 г.

News update 21/08/2022 16

Caesar was the first Roman to cross the Rhine, driving back the invading Germanic tribes. He made (again the first) two trips to Britain, subordinating to Rome part of the Celtic tribes living there and imposing tribute on them. The successful commander literally filled up Rome with gold and with his help continued to actively influence political life.

However, busy with the Gallic campaigns, Caesar did not forget to monitor the strength of the triumvirate. By 56 B.C. Caesar's partners - Pompeii and Krass - were on the verge of a break. Caesar met with them in the city of Luca, where three politicians confirmed the previous agreements and distributed the provinces: Spain and Africa went to Pompey, Syria to Crassus. Caesar was given another five years to extend his powers in Gaul.

In this province, things did not go as smoothly as we would like. Thanksgiving prayers and festivities that were held in honor of Caesar's victories could not humble the spirit of the Gauls and their desire for liberation from the heavy tutelage of Rome.

It is in Gaul that Caesar begins to pursue a policy of dementia (in Latin - "mercy"), on the principles of which he will base his policy in the future. He forgave those who repented and tried not to shed blood in vain, preferring to have those who owed him their lives, and not dead Gauls.

However, nothing could stop the coming storm. In 52 BC A general Gallic uprising broke out, led by the young leader Vircingetorix. Caesar was in a very difficult position. He had only 60 thousand people (10 legions), and the rebels had 250-300 thousand. The Gauls, having suffered a number of defeats in open battle, switched to partisan operations. Everything that Caesar had conquered was lost as a result of this uprising. But in 51 BC. under the city of Alesia, the Romans in three battles with great difficulty manage to defeat the rebels. Vircingetorix was captured, many of the chieftains were killed, the Gaulish militia fled, and the uprising waned. In 52-51 years. BC. Caesar had to reconquer Gaul.

No sooner had the Gallic uprising subsided than Caesar was again in trouble, this time in Rome. In 53 BC Krase died in a campaign against the Parthians. Pompey, not seeing after this the point in respecting previous agreements with Caesar, began to strengthen his position and protect only his own interests.

The Roman Republic was on the verge of collapse. Either Pompeii (legitimately - he had already been appointed sole consul by the Senate), or Caesar (illegally) could easily take advantage of her weakness. All attempts by Caesar to end the matter amicably and find a mutually acceptable solution were unequivocally rejected by the Senate and Pompey. Trampling Roman laws, they raised troops.

Caesar once again faced a choice: either obey the demands of the Senate and forever say goodbye to his ambitious plans, or, violating the laws, resist the autocracy of Pompey and, possibly, get the glory of the enemy of the republic.

The future dictator himself understood all this very well, standing on January 10, 49 BC. with one legion in front of the small river Rubicon, which separated it from the original possessions of Rome. According to the Roman historian Appian, Caesar turned to his friends: "If I do not cross this river, my friends, then this will be the beginning of disasters for me, and if I do, it will be the beginning of disasters for all people." Having said this, he swiftly, as if by inspiration from above, crossed the Rubicon, adding: "Let the die be cast" (in Latin: "Alea jacta est").

Caesar marched on Rome. The Senate and Pompey were shocked by this turn of events and the speed of Caesar's actions. All preparations for resistance were abandoned. Italy was thrown at the mercy of the "violator of the laws", and the invincible Pompeii the Great with the Senate hastily left the country. Caesar was advancing rapidly towards Rome, taking one city after another and shedding almost no blood. In addition to the fact that reinforcements approached him from Gaul, all the Roman garrisons, originally subordinate to Pompey, poured into Caesar's army.
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