Between 61 and 60 BC, he won considerable victories over the local Spanish Calaici and Lusitani tribes. Caesar, again showing his ambition replied, "For my part, I'd rather be the first man among these fellows than the second man in Rome." During his time as the governor of Spain, Caesar strengthened his relationship with these Gallic peoples which would be an important factor in his later plans.Īrriving in Spain, Caesar developed a remarkable reputation as a military commander. On the way, several members of his entourage commented on the barbaric and wretched (in their opinion) life in the local villages. Leaving Rome even before he was officially to take over, Caesar was not taking chances.Ĭaesar and his staff rode hard, reaching the Rhone in only 8 days, showing a glimpse into the future ability of Caesar to move his armies at remarkable speeds. With this appointment, his creditors backed off, allowing that this position could be quite profitable. Eventually, by 61 BC, Caesar was finally assigned to serve as the Proconsular governor of Spain, the province he served in as a quaestor. Crassus came to the rescue again, paying off a quarter of his 20 million denarii balance. The length of the scandal delayed elections and provincial appointments for the next year, and Caesar was in serious jeapardy of prosecution for his debts. Despite the scandal, Clodius would later become an important ally of Caesar, until his erratic behavior would eventually end it. Later, Clodius adopted into a plebeian family in order to secure the position of Tribune of the Plebs. Later at the trial of Clodius, Caesar gave no ammunition to the prosecution, and Clodius got off by bribing the jury. Caesar however maintained perfect calm, and while proclaiming Pompeia's innocence, he simply divorced her, with the famous quote "Because I maintain that the members of my family should be free from suspicion, as well as from accusation," as his reason. Caesar's enemies were certainly happily surprised at the potential turn of the tables episode, especially considering Caesar's association with several Senatorial wives. He was later brought to trial, likely on charges of bribery, by Cicero. Publius Clodius Pulcher, a patrician politician with sometimes wild behavior, attended the event dressed as a woman, apparantly in order to associate with Caesar's wife, Pompeia, or one of the Vestal Virgins.Ĭlodius seems to have been spotted by Caesar's mother Aurelia, and he fled the scene. It was a women-only event in which the vestal virgins played an important role. As the Pontifex Maximus, his wife was responsible for arranging this sacred and important celebration. The annual celebration of the Bona Dea (Goddess of fertility, healing, virginity and women) was held at Caesar's home. He certainly did his part to patch up any lasting rivalry between Crassus and Pompey, and was building a foundation for his own political future.īefore that relationship could blossom however, the Caesar household was rocked with one of the greatest social scandals in the history of Rome. Little did Cato and his supporters realize that their opposition to Pompey pushed him closer to Caesar. Pompey, of course, wanted land bills issued to take care of his retired veterans, but he was opposed by the optimates. He disbanded his legions and returned to Rome to celebrate his most glorious triumph yet. Toward the end of Caesar's term as urban praetor, Pompey returned from the east and dispelled any fears about his intentions.
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