LIBER Review: Caesar's "Commentaries of the Gallic War"

By S.L.
Latin Temporis Staff Writer

This week's book is Julius Caesar's Commentaries of the Gallic War. It is the documentary of Caesar's seven year conquest of Gaul. He begins with this line- "Gaul as a whole is divided into three regions..." (He is referring to the three parts of Gaul inhabited by the Belgae, the Aquitani, and the Galli.) This is one line that is likely to still be well known hundreds of years from now. You can see that right from the beginning he provides a strong narrative of the whole ordeal.

Although it is pure and elegant as far as style of writing goes, the book was clearly written to justify Caesar's actions in Gaul to the people in the Roman government who disapproved of him at that time. He puts forth a negative attitude toward the people of Gaul as he makes good use of the fact that they were "volatile" and "frivolous" characters. Caesar tries to come across as impersonal, but at the same time he hides and changes facts to make his actions seem right.

Up to this point this is the only record of what happened when Caesar's armies invaded Gaul. Overall, you can conclude from the story that Caesar was a strict and powerful military leader who had only the best of intentions in attacking and conquering Gaul. Although the story distorts facts in Caesar's favor, it must be at least partially believable; he would not have taken the chance of providing his enemies with the opportunity of exposing him as a liar. Commentaries of the Gallic War is certainly worth reading if you want an insider's look at the Gallic War.

Sources:
"Julius Caesar." Microsoft Encarta 95.
Ecce Romani I, p. 193, p. 301 Stearns, Monroe.
Julius Caesar: Master of Men

You can see that right
from the beginning
he provides a strong
narrative of the whole
ordeal.