jjares reviewed The Gallic Wars: A Captivating Guide to the Military Campaigns that Expanded the Roman Republic and Helped Julius Caesar Transform Rome into the Greatest Empire of the Ancient World on + 3299 more book reviews
Essentially, this is the story of Julius Caesar waging war against the Celts of Gaul (France). His ultimate goal was to grab the reins of the Roman Republic and turn it into his own empire. At the time of the wars, the Celts were agrarian with animal husbandry skills. They traded crafts, agricultural products, and tools.
While explaining the wars in great detail, Captivating History keeps an eye on the pressures that caused tribes to move against the Romans and also keeps an eye on Caesar's view of the 'big picture.' The Roman Senate obviously had a good idea what Caesar was up to but they were powerless to stop him, due to Caesar's machinations.
I wonder what was the background of the claim by some of Caesar's enemies that he'd committed 'a series of' war crimes in Gaul? The text doesn't say, but it is an interesting question. Instead, Caesar gathered his troops and declared war on his own government. With his military support and the Senate's lack of support, the Civil War did not last long. Caesar had the support of the people and he had added Gaul to the Roman Empire. Thus, he was elected dictator for life. (5 stars)
While explaining the wars in great detail, Captivating History keeps an eye on the pressures that caused tribes to move against the Romans and also keeps an eye on Caesar's view of the 'big picture.' The Roman Senate obviously had a good idea what Caesar was up to but they were powerless to stop him, due to Caesar's machinations.
I wonder what was the background of the claim by some of Caesar's enemies that he'd committed 'a series of' war crimes in Gaul? The text doesn't say, but it is an interesting question. Instead, Caesar gathered his troops and declared war on his own government. With his military support and the Senate's lack of support, the Civil War did not last long. Caesar had the support of the people and he had added Gaul to the Roman Empire. Thus, he was elected dictator for life. (5 stars)
