Gaius Julius Caesar was considered one of the greatest military minds of his time, if not ever. The battles he fought and the tactics he used are still taught in many modern military schools. However, unknown to many, the great general was also a great writer and poet.

During his works there are many times he talks about his love of Rome and his pride at being able to fight for his country. This is not the patriotic sense of a military soldier, but rather the love of a man to his mistress.

“The blood of Rome runs though me; she is my mistress; she is my soul.”(Gallic Campaign, Bk VII pg 93)

Caesar devotes himself to the study of Greek, rhetoric, grammar, philosophy, and oratory. He received his oratory skills from one of Rome’s finest, Marcus Antonius Gnipho.

After Caesar completes his schooling he leaves Rome to start his career in the military. He quickly raises through the ranks and becomes one of the top generals in the Roman military.

During Caesar’s Gallic campaigns Suetonius praises Caesar’s “wonderful restraint and clemency” (Life of Julius Caesar, 75). Instead of annihilating his enemies, Julius Caesar invites them to join the expanding empire for he says:

“Rome is everything. To be called Roman is the highest honor given to a man.” (Commentaries, Bk V, pg 51)

During his time as a military commander Caesar is only known to have lost one battle. This battle was fought against Vercingetorix, the only man able to finally unite Gaul in standing against Rome.

Caesar, even in the face of victory, still talks about recruiting his enemies for the purpose of becoming Roman citizens, for such is his love of Rome.“As defeat weakens the authority of

other generals, so on the contrary his dignity was increased daily, even to the fact of defeat. O Rome! What a Son he could have been!” (Gallic Wars, Bk VII, 129)

As Caesar looks over the defeated Gaul he sees himself born into the body of another. With this he tells Vercingetorix that Rome is not the enemy.

During his time as a military commander Caesar is only known to have lost one battle. This battle was fought against Vercingetorix, the only man able to finally unite Gaul in standing against Rome.

Caesar, even in the face of victory, still talks about recruiting his enemies for the purpose of becoming Roman citizens, for such is his love of Rome.“As defeat weakens the authority of

other generals, so on the contrary his dignity was increased daily, even to the fact of defeat. O Rome! What a Son he could have been!” (Gallic Wars, Bk VII, 129)

As Caesar looks over the defeated Gaul he sees himself born into the body of another. With this he tells Vercingetorix that Rome is not the enemy.

“What steps brought brother to fight brother? Father to fight son? Roman to fight Roman? O my blood, o grace gods poured down from above, do the gods listen more closely to those who speak from Rome? I cross, I cross to find the answer.”-Handel playing Caesar in the Opera Giulio Cesare

After many years of war in Gaul Caesar is presented with a choice that will decide the fate of Rome. He must go home alone and face the corrupt government and the death they wish on him or march his armies across the Rubicon, a river boundary, and face an even greater death, that of his soul.

With such a bleak looking future Caesar ops to do what is best for his country, to march on Rome. This is treason and he becomes a wanted man, his soldiers are no longer obliged to follow him. However, because of how deep his love for Rome shines through him to the legions they march willingly into the teeth of treason.

"My friends, to leave this stream uncrossed will breed manifold distress for me; to cross it, for all mankind."

"The die is cast: so let it be!"

After marching on Rome and ending the civil war through military conquest Caesar begins to work on reforming the country he loves into an empire. However, fate has another path for Caesar as he is brutally murdered by those who he strived to protect. The Roman people rise up against the murderers and kill them in the name of Rome and the name of Caesar, who was as much a ruler as a father to them all.“The brightness of the Sun was darkened, which all

though the year rose very pale and shined not out, whereby it gave but little heat.”(Life of Julius Caesar, 69)

“The sun, too, pitied Rome when Cesar died, and hid its shining face in dim dusty red, and that impious generation feared eternal night.” (Georgic 1, V 466)

Not only did Caesar love Rome with all his heart but it would appear that Rome loved Caesar just as much. Marc Anthony concludes his eulogy of Caesar by saying,

“Rome hid her face behind a veil of sorrow at the passing of her Son. History is written by the victorious. Truth is often found in silence.” (Appia II, 119)