Prufrock's Wargaming Blog

Prufrock's Wargaming Blog

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Caesar

For a project I have on the go I've been dipping back into Caesar's commentaries. Once again, I am struck by the immediacy of the observations, the depth of information, and the quality of the insights. Such a pivotal figure in history, and we are lucky enough to have accounts of his campaigns, and in his own words. It's just astonishing.


Picture from here.

As works of history they are invaluable; as works of literature they are brilliantly composed; as persuasive, case-building and legacy-securing texts they do their job to this day. They are an astounding achievement.

The man was of course a butcher in a time of butchery, but he was not a spiteful one. He preferred to win loyalty and exercise clemency when he could. By comparison to the murderously vengeful Sulla who came before him and the callous and devious Octavion who came after, he was an honourable man.   

But that's not really my point: my point is that when you read Caesar you begin to understand on both an intellectual and a visceral level the kinds of things that an ancient commander had to deal with. You see what he had to take into account before a battle, during a battle, and after the fight was over. You see what went into a successful campaign. You see what led to failure. 

Anyway, whenever I get back into reading him I am always made forcibly conscious of how fortunate we are that the commentaries survived, and how much poorer our understanding of the man and the era would be if they had not.


12 comments:

  1. I've never read his commentaries, but it must be an invaluable first-hand source with a peak into his character and conscience.

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    1. As a wee sampler Dean, scroll down on this link to chapter 42, and read a bit, for an account of the actions in Spain during the civil war against the Pompeians. It gives a good sense of what I mean about how much you learn from reading him! Cheers, Aaron http://classics.mit.edu/Caesar/civil.1.1.html

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  2. Well said, or written, sir. Yes, very well written. Reminds me of my Latin days in high school, when our energetic instructor helped us to memorize the opening lines of The Gallic Wars . . .
    Understanding that it is historical fiction, I have always liked how Caesar was portrayed in Colleen McCullough's books. He was a man of his times, but also, at least in some regards, a man ahead of his times.

    Certainly food for thought . . .

    Cheers,
    Chris

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    Replies
    1. Nice to hear from you, Chris! Yes, I developed a whole new level of respect for Ms. McCullough after reading that series. Very good books, and a wonderful amount of informed and plausible invention (though she probably defends the great man just a little too much at times!).

      Cheers,
      Aaron

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  3. Interesting post Aaron, I really should check his commentaries out. Its a very valid point you make also about him being a man of his time. There is little to be gained judging ancients with modern ethical standards. Its a shame more sources have not survived, but there is something alluring in the mystery of what exactly happened.

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    1. True, Tony. I really would recommend picking up cheap secondhand copies of the Gallic War and Civil War if you can find them, though there is a deluxe Landmark edition out now as well, if you want to splash out!

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    2. Thanks Aaron, I may go for the kindle penguin classics versions which tend to be a bit more readable than the earlier translations. Recently purchased Appian Civil wars which I also wanted to read but currently slowing working my way through John Grainger's triology on the Seleucid Empire which has been an enjoyable read so far (on the third book now).

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    3. Thanks for the reminder - I really need to look into the Grainger trilogy...

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  4. Reminds me of second year Latin and translating Caesar. In battle, Caesar was everywhere. Without Caesar, all would be lost. A first rate propagandist.

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    1. We were not obliged (or even given the option, for that matter!) to study Latin when I was at school, so I missed any school masterly associations! Indeed a propagandist, but also full of details that are a delight to the ancient wargamer!

      Cheers,
      Aaron

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  5. And, now I have to go and read them again ;)

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    Replies
    1. Just a little refreshing dip should do the trick ;-)

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