Julius Caesar as Artful Reporter: The War Commentaries as Political InstrumentsThe writings of Julius Caesar have beguiled by their apparent simplicity. Generations of readers have been encouraged to see them as a limpid record of positive achievement. The contributors to this volume demonstrate that the appearance of simplicity is achieved by devious and accomplished art. In nine original studies, focussing mainly on the Gallic War, the contributors trace systems of justification and omission, of measured praise and subtle criticism, which served to promote Caesar and to leave Roman enemies empty-handed. It is shown that Caesar's writing has an ingenuity of description which might seduce the casual Roman sceptic, and an artfulness of focus which now recalls the cinematographic. Even the notorious regularity of Caesar's syntax and his economy of vocabulary are revealed as pointed elements of a political manifesto. Far from being a plain and traditional record of warfare, Caesar's Commentaries are here shown to illuminate the political thinking of a man on his way to reshaping the world. |
Contents
| 11 | |
The Lovgoß of Caesars Bellum Gallicum especially | 45 |
C E Stevens and the tradition | 61 |
Caesar and his officers in the Gallic War Commentaries | 85 |
Julius Caesar and the presentation of massacre | 111 |
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Common terms and phrases
action Aedui already Ambiorix Anti-Roman appear argue Ariovistus army attack attempt audience battle Bellum Gallicum Book Britain Caesar camp campaign cavalry centurions chapter Cicero Civil claim Collins command commentaries concerning contrast Cotta course Crassus defeat demonstrate described detail discussion Dumnorix early effect enemy expected fact fighting force further Gallic Gaul Germans given gives Greek hand Helvetii Hirtius important individual interest Italy Labienus later Latin leaders legates legion literary mentioned Meusel Vol military narrative nature officers Orgetorix perhaps political position possible present Publius Crassus Rambaud reason reference reports rhetorical Roman Rome Sabinus Senate similar situation soldiers speech Stevens style success Suessiones suggest thought tion tribes troops Veneti Vercingetorix victory virtus winter writing