| Summary: | 碩士 === 淡江大學 === 歷史學系碩士在職專班 === 101 === This article mainly studies the late Roman Republic famous historical figures - Pompeius and Caesar. Used these two persons as axis of this thesis, the writing is based on biography and narrative methods. By studying the rise of Pompeius and Caesar and their political careers as well as conquest histories, the purpose of this article was to clearly present the outline of the history of the late Roman Republic and understand the reason why Roman became an empire from a republic. Further sorting through historical materials and literatures to explore the power struggle between Pompeius and Caesar, comparing similarities and differences between both political achievements, military medals and strategies application. Finally, discussing the reason why Pompeius was defeated by the later rise of Caesar, and why Caesar was assassinated when his power was in peak.
It was an era all depended on battle achievements in Roman Republic. Once a person set brilliant achievements in war could grasp military power and then political power, which a soldier could have opportunity to be despotic dictatorship. This is mainly why Roman Republic that military officer had higher position than civil officer and military power was greater than political power finally became imperial system from republicanism. Striving for power and position between Pompeius and Caesar was nothing but struggled for the highest leadership in the country. Political struggle caused both parties to become irreconcilable political rival from the relationship of political union and intermarriage. Their mutual struggle was the major cause leading a national civil war. In fighting over power and control, politicians in the late Roman Republic were found to use strategies, mainly such as political union, political intermarriage, wining over the will of Senatus, bribery, establishment of political and military power, etc. If the period from 70s B.C. to 60s B.C. was Pompeius’s time, the period from 60s B.C. to 50s B.C. can be called Caesar’s time. Caesar, an up-rising star could finally defeat “Pompeius Magnus” called by people mainly because Caesar’s bravery, surprise move and legions loyal to Caesar. With the end of the civil war, the battle between Pompeius and Caesar signals the curtain coming down that Caesar deserved his position in history.
Caesar became the true leader in Roman after the end of civil war; however, too many honorary titles and much power just led Caesar to a fatal crisis. The Republicans decided to assassinate Caesar in order to save the Roman republican system, not expecting this to lead to civil war for as long as 15 years, accelerating the collapse of the Roman republican system. Caesar died and his accomplishment has never been vanished, he became a famous legendary leader among ancient historical figures.
This article described the events from Pompeius joined Sulla’s commander in 83 B.C. to Caesar died in 44 B.C., trying to overview rise and fall of the late Roman Republic through two historical figures’ point of views and providing future researchers with reference.
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