Caesar

Also known as: Caius Caesar · Family: Roman · Role: commander · First appears: The Gallic War, Book I, 7–13

In Book I of the Gallic War, Caesar broke the bridge at Geneva, blocked the Helvetii from crossing the Province, and pursued them across the Saone. He appointed Titus Labienus to command the fortification and later entrusted him with operations against the Helvetii. After identifying Dumnorix as an obstacle to the Aedui’s grain contribution and a source of leaks, Caesar pardoned him at Divitiacus’s request but placed spies over him. Caesar defeated the Helvetii and accepted their surrender, then promised aid to the Gauls against Ariovistus. Their dealings ended in war: Caesar defeated Ariovistus’s forces and rescued C. Valerius Procillus and M. Mettius.

In the following books of the Gallic War, Caesar campaigned across Gaul, across the Rhine, and in Britain, directing lieutenants and assigning them legions, fleets, and garrisons. He made and withdrew kings, demanded hostages, accepted surrenders, and fought opponents including Cassivellaunus and, later, Vercingetorix. He pardoned or protected some defeated peoples, while in other cases ordering severe punishments. At Alesia, his forces defeated the relieving army; the Gauls surrendered Vercingetorix, and Caesar distributed captives among his soldiers. In Book VIII, Caesar continued campaigning in Gaul and sought to maintain its obedience through lighter terms and rewards for leading men.

In Book I of the Civil War, Caesar crossed into Italy after the senate ordered him to disband his army. He proposed that he and Pompey both lay down their arms, but Pompey rejected his terms, and the two became enemies. Caesar advanced through Italy, spared captives at Corfinium, and returned money to Lucius Domitius, before campaigning in Spain and besieging Massilia. In Book II, he received the surrender of forces in Spain and Massilia; in Book III, he crossed to Greece and fought Pompey’s forces. After defeating them, Caesar pardoned those who surrendered, then went to Alexandria, where he became involved in the conflict over the throne, ordered Ptolemy and Cleopatra to disband their armies, and fought the forces of Achillas and Pothinus.