Martin Antonenko
A Fixture
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- Jul 11, 2008
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The Senate Does Not Bow Its neck To Caesar!
We write the year 49 before our calendar. All of Gaul is occupied by the Romans. All of Gaul? Yes - but not all Romans are in Gaul at the moment!
The former Roman proconsul Gaius Iulius Caesar, who commanded them, did not have - as is actually the law - after the end of the previous year! - put his office back in the hands of the Senate and traveled home as a private citizen, but gathered two of his ten legions in Gaul and marched towards Rome.
Now he camps with these about 12,000 men, including the Legio X. his favorite troop, on the border river that separates the Roman state territory from "his" province of Gaul: the Rubicon.
However, it is by no means certain whether this is really the ancient "Rubicon"!
The river on the map owes its name to Benito Mussolini - who relied on a recommendation from historians and archaeologists when giving the name...:
What is certain:
The Roman Senate senses revolt, conspiracy and fears that Caesar is preparing to take power in the state - and is absolutely right!
Caesar wants the dictatorship and can rely on "his" army. I consciously say "his" army, because after the unprecedented triumphant advance through Gaul, the soldiers are ready to follow him through thick and thin!
Of course, the senators also know all this!
But they also know: They have a much larger army at their disposal to defend the Roman Republic ...:
And these legions are not commanded by a layman either, but by Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, whom the Senate has appointed sole consul (consul sine collega) in his need!
Still, the senators want - most sensibly! - avoid civil war and rely on a negotiated solution.
This offer is brought to Caesar.
For his part, he responds with a counter-offer which at first glance seems to express approval and love for peace - and which is still understood today (and therefore incorrectly!) By many "modern" historians and history books:
He - Caesar - does not want a war and is ready to release his soldiers immediately. The only condition: Pompey must do the same.
The Roman Senate, however, is not a "modern" historian and understands this offer from Caesar exactly as it is actually meant:
As brazen blackmail and nothing else!
Because: Caesar's army is not allowed to enter Roman territory at all - unless with the permission of the consuls and the senate. It is an illegal army!
The troops of Pompey, on the other hand, are the official army of SPQR, the Roman state!
Caesar's "offer" to the Senate is nothing more than a call for self-disarmament, for surrender!
On January 7, 49 BC therefore the Senate rejects Caesar's offer with a large majority!
Three days later, on January 10, 49 BC. BC, Caesar and his troops will cross the Rubicon and march on Rome.
It is said he says then: "alea iacta est!" ("The dices are thrown!").
But that shouldn't be true either!
This is a Greek proverb, and Caesar, as an educated Roman of the upper class, said - if at all - the original Greek version, which was:
"ἀνερρίφθω κύβος" (speak: "anerrhíphthō kúbos").
On the other hand, the die was cast (for the civil war, Caesar's dictatorship and the end of the Roman Republic) on January 7th, when the Roman Senate refused to bow its neck to the occupier Caesar ...
We write the year 49 before our calendar. All of Gaul is occupied by the Romans. All of Gaul? Yes - but not all Romans are in Gaul at the moment!
The former Roman proconsul Gaius Iulius Caesar, who commanded them, did not have - as is actually the law - after the end of the previous year! - put his office back in the hands of the Senate and traveled home as a private citizen, but gathered two of his ten legions in Gaul and marched towards Rome.
Now he camps with these about 12,000 men, including the Legio X. his favorite troop, on the border river that separates the Roman state territory from "his" province of Gaul: the Rubicon.
However, it is by no means certain whether this is really the ancient "Rubicon"!
The river on the map owes its name to Benito Mussolini - who relied on a recommendation from historians and archaeologists when giving the name...:
What is certain:
The Roman Senate senses revolt, conspiracy and fears that Caesar is preparing to take power in the state - and is absolutely right!
Caesar wants the dictatorship and can rely on "his" army. I consciously say "his" army, because after the unprecedented triumphant advance through Gaul, the soldiers are ready to follow him through thick and thin!
Of course, the senators also know all this!
But they also know: They have a much larger army at their disposal to defend the Roman Republic ...:
And these legions are not commanded by a layman either, but by Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, whom the Senate has appointed sole consul (consul sine collega) in his need!
Still, the senators want - most sensibly! - avoid civil war and rely on a negotiated solution.
This offer is brought to Caesar.
For his part, he responds with a counter-offer which at first glance seems to express approval and love for peace - and which is still understood today (and therefore incorrectly!) By many "modern" historians and history books:
He - Caesar - does not want a war and is ready to release his soldiers immediately. The only condition: Pompey must do the same.
The Roman Senate, however, is not a "modern" historian and understands this offer from Caesar exactly as it is actually meant:
As brazen blackmail and nothing else!
Because: Caesar's army is not allowed to enter Roman territory at all - unless with the permission of the consuls and the senate. It is an illegal army!
The troops of Pompey, on the other hand, are the official army of SPQR, the Roman state!
Caesar's "offer" to the Senate is nothing more than a call for self-disarmament, for surrender!
On January 7, 49 BC therefore the Senate rejects Caesar's offer with a large majority!
Three days later, on January 10, 49 BC. BC, Caesar and his troops will cross the Rubicon and march on Rome.
It is said he says then: "alea iacta est!" ("The dices are thrown!").
But that shouldn't be true either!
This is a Greek proverb, and Caesar, as an educated Roman of the upper class, said - if at all - the original Greek version, which was:
"ἀνερρίφθω κύβος" (speak: "anerrhíphthō kúbos").
On the other hand, the die was cast (for the civil war, Caesar's dictatorship and the end of the Roman Republic) on January 7th, when the Roman Senate refused to bow its neck to the occupier Caesar ...
