Download Julius Caesar`s Diary (An Educational Interpretation) 60 BCE

Julius Caesar’s Diary
(An Educational Interpretation)
60 BCE- Upon arriving home from my last expedition my two military rivals Pompey and Crassus
were in turmoil. Realizing that Rome would forever be divided if we continued to fight, I made
them an offer to join with me in ruling this massive and growing empire. Together we made
the First Triumvirate. To make the agreement official I had my daughter, Julia, marry Pompey.
Feeling comfortable with the alliance we had made, I left to conquer Gaul in order to avenge
the destruction of our beautiful Roman city leaving Crassus and Pompey as the consuls.
54 BCE- After continuing my successful expedition to Gaul and opening up the territory to
Mediterranean settlement for the first time, I left for Britain in order to gain more territory for
our beloved empire. During this time Crassus died in his fight against the Parthians. I am also
sad to deliver the news that my lovely daughter, Julia, had passed while giving birth. With
Crassus and Julia dead there is little keeping my relations with Pompey. I hear that he is ruling
as a tyrant at home and making decisions as an only consul. His politics are also getting more
conservative, attempting to concentrate the power of Rome and preserve the wealth for the
upper class, I foresee a problem arising in the future.
49 BCE- That scoundrel, Pompey, will pay. He has attempted to cut short my term as governor
in Gaul, the territory I conquered. He also has made it illegal for me to return to Rome. He has
pushed me to my limit and I have had no choice other than to cross the Rubicon River.
Although it was not my goal, a civil war has erupted and I will fight until Pompey is nothing but
a memory to the Romans. I have set up my own government in Rome, the public is divided. To
win their favor I have established a policy that promises to put no one to death and to
confiscate no property. I want for there to be unity in Roman rule, to reduce the dominance of
the city of Rome and spread the power over the empire. In order to do this I must win the
people’s favor. Neither one of us can back down, our dignities are at stake. To surprise
Pompey, I met his army in Spain. I left with the statement “I am off to meet an army without a
leader; when I return, I shall meet a leader without an army.” Upon my return I was elected as
a consul, there is no stopping me now.
48 BCE- I do not have enough ships to transport my men to confront Pompey’s strong forces in
Greece. This however, does not worry me for my head commander, Marc Anthony, has
brought across the rest of my men. We were greatly outnumbered my 21,000 men to
Pompey’s 40,000. However, I am a military genius and through my brilliant generalship, I was
able to claim victory over my rival. Pompey was forced to flee Egypt, I let him go. I will now
show my forgiving character and pardon (forgive) all Roman citizens whom were captured
including my friend Brutus who will now be appointed to the Senate.
October 48 BCE- The horror! Pompey’s head was delivered to my doorstop, a gift from the
Egyptians. I headed straight to Egypt and then my world was changed forever. A woman, by
the name to Cleopatra (around 20 years old), had herself delivered to me. My eyes have never
been captivated by such beauty. She has expressed to me how her brother, Ptolemy XIII, a 12
year old, had driven her out of Alexandria after they were declared joint heirs of Egypt. An
alliance with this brave woman would be useful. Supporting her right to the throne, I have
captured the harbor and palace. In order to ensure her power, I have ordered the Egyptian
fleet to be burned. Unfortunately the fire had gotten out of hand and the Library of Alexandria
was burnt to the ground. However, to show mercy, rather than executing young Ptolemy, I
have allowed him to join the army of Achilles.
March 15 44 BCE- I lie on the floor. I am bleeding from the 23 holes pierced into my body by
the Senate. I was just about to leave for another expedition, I did not see this coming. I look up,
Pompey’s statue is gleaming down on me. I feel very dizzy, my vision begins to fade. I look to
my side and see Brutus, the man whom I had shown mercy on just four years ago. I turn to him,
my heart aches with betrayal. I look Brutus directly in the eye and muster the last words I am
able to bring forth from my being, “You too, my child?”