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Caesar's Rise to Power

 

            Influential events and factors effecting Julius Caesar's rise to power.
             Caesar becomes cursus honourum in 69BC: It wasn't so much this rank that Caesar had reached that was influential into his future; it was an event in the time when he held this position. Caesar is supposed to have reflected on his lack of achievement on seeing a statue of Alexander the Great who had conquered a vast Empire in the time Caesar had conquered nothing. This occurred in 69BC and motivated Caesar to become great.
             Caesars willingness to do whatever was needed: This is evident when Caesar married Pompeia, who was the daughter of Q. Pompeius Rufus, an Optimate who had been killed by Caesar's uncle Marius in 88BC. This marrying into the "enemy- highlights the strong concern Caesar had for his future career ambitions. Also Caesar knew that to have power, he would need many clients. With this in mind, using popularis type activity; he secured many clients from Cisalpine Gaul.
             Caesar elected as curule aedile in 65BC: After much supporting of Pompey, Caesars next move was this office. This was basically the head of police role, and had the potential to gain many clients. But what made this post desirable for Caesar, as rung on the ladder on the senatorial career, was the additional duty of holding the games, which were celebrated on public holidays. Caesar certainly used this opportunity; he put on the biggest and best display of gladiatorial combat Rome had ever seen. This delighted the plebs but alarmed the Optimates. .
             A series of smaller events building up alarm in the Optimates: Caesar did many things to gain popularity amongst the lower classes of society. For example, when he carried around the statue of Marius. "Over and over again Caesar revealed a special talent for putting his opponents in the wrong and making them look like absurd fanatics."".
             63BC: Caesar is elected as Pontifex Maximus: Caesar gained this position through lavish bribery.


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