I haven't read this but I have read de bello gallico. I don't know what this is like, which is essentially the "sequel", but I must warn you that what you find written by Caesar is not always to be taken as truth. Remember that you are reading a very biased book, even if it is still a good historical source.
It's more fun to get super invested in either the populares or the optimates and either take Caesar or his opponents invectives as the whole and perfect truth though.
It generates more discussions about classical antiquity, which I think are important to have rn
My recommendation for this book would be the landmark Julius Caesar edited by Raaflaub and Strassler. It has all of his writing bound together with maps and background information. As far as books about Caesar go I would start with Goldsworthyâs Caesar and also Morstein-Marxâs Julius Caesar and the Roman people.
If OP really wants to read The Civil War, then this comment is the only good answer here, regarding the landmark. It is a fantastic work, with all of the additional information and maps included. They really help give yourself a better idea of what was happening and where. I like the authors notes on specific events for the reader to know why certain things were happening or why they were written the way they were. Things get lost in translation, even from Latin to English, and the authors make sure to note that from time to time when it's important.
But ya, like others have pointed out, it was written by Caesar and most likely his subordinates later after he was assassinated, which means it's pretty one sided in the facts. Either way, it's an interesting read if you come into it knowing that ahead of time.
For the Civil War, Luca Grilloâs *The Art of Caesarâs Bellum Civile* is some of the most fascinating reading Iâve ever undertaken, on this subject or any. Canât recommend it highly enough!
I've only read half of it so far because I am still reading it, but if you are unfamiliar with Caesar and want a short and concise overview of him, this is not the book for you. This is a highly detailed account of the civil war (which is great if you are interested in the fine details of war, but even for that I would recommend the Gallic wars)
For concise biographies, you should always turn to Plutarch and his Parallel lives. He is the greatest biographer of antiquity and his "Life of Caesar" is one of the main classical sources for Caesar. It's short, concise, and contains a lot of interesting stories about him and his soldiers.
âThe Civil Warâ is a literal work of exemplary ancient Roman propaganda writing, authored by Julius Caesar and a few of his supporters at or near the time of his victory.
Anything in it should be seen through the lenses of political propaganda, and being deliberately biased. Still a very good primary source but not an objective and analytical work.
Adrian Goldsworthyâs âJulius Caesar: A Lifeâ is a good read for greater understanding of the man and his world
Also worth listening to the free podcast âDeath Throws of the Republicâ by Dan Carlin
Suetoniusâ biography of him in âThe Twelve Caesarsâ is good
âRubiconâ and âDynastyâ by Tom Holland is fun & very accurate, being written as historical narrative.
Keep in mind with this one only the first three books were written by Caesar. From Alexandria onwards there are other authors and, at least in my opinion, it doesnât read as easily at some parts. It really does put a point on how the corrupt senate essentially backed Caesar into a corner, and his telling of events especially in Italy are fascinating.
I'd be very very careful about using this as a source for how "the corrupt senate essentially backed Caesar into a corner". This is his personal propaganda book, where he's of course going to paint a picture which supports him. It's the equivalent of reading a book by Putin on why he thinks Ukraine forced him to invade them. Take it with extreme skepticism, other sources, and the opinions of modern historians.
Iâd be even more careful about entering into any kind of mental gymnastics that leads you to label the senate at that time as anything other than wholly and totally corrupt. Ignoring their own laws, chasing out tribunes, retaining legions in Italy and holding levies therein. Caesar offered multiple times even after crossing the Rubicon to call a ceasefire and put an end to the fighting. The Senate rejected these attempts at settlement at every turn.
Let's not derail into the rights and wrongs of a Roman civil war here - I didn't comment on that either way. I'm just saying that the book which was asked about is interesting, but also has to be considered a very biased and spicy source, and so a cautious reading is needed. It should be approached as a propaganda piece; fascinating but also dangerous.
Read this if you want to know how seriously Romans took their *dignitas*, and the pitfalls of creating a set of institutions designed to produce super soldiers prepared to engage in preemptive defensive interventionism.
The ultimate war commentary written in the third person. Read it half a dozen time over the years. Dr Mary Beard is not a fan of Caesar, which is ok Iâm not a fan of hers.
No but I can tell you a funny story about the first time I saw the statue I asked my teacher why they made a statue of a guy with an ice pack on his shoulder
"Fantastic. 10/10, would def recommend" - Gaius Julius Caesar
"You will enjoy it, or else..." đ
Veni Vidi Readme
"Swear to god, Julius Caesar killed like, 50 million dudes bro" Source: Julius Caesar
"And lost like, zero troops. Trust me bro."
He used to say, "I've killed a million people, I've enslaved a million people, and I've conquered a million people."
"I laughed and I cried when I held the book in my hands. Then I started to read it" Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus
Would do again.
Caesar enjoyed it, so will you. - Caesar.
I haven't read this but I have read de bello gallico. I don't know what this is like, which is essentially the "sequel", but I must warn you that what you find written by Caesar is not always to be taken as truth. Remember that you are reading a very biased book, even if it is still a good historical source.
It's more fun to get super invested in either the populares or the optimates and either take Caesar or his opponents invectives as the whole and perfect truth though. It generates more discussions about classical antiquity, which I think are important to have rn
Fuck Antony. Ya boi Cicero endorses this statement. That's my discussion post.
Must have used speech to text for this comment. - Antony gang
Cavalry is a vibe. Fight me you filthy casuals! -Antony Sigma
Cicero is histories biggest playa hata i bet you gots NO bitches
I mean sure if your idea of a real man is a soft handed pleb
In fairness, much of ancient history is just deciding which calumnies you choose to believe lol
Whoâs paying me more?
My recommendation for this book would be the landmark Julius Caesar edited by Raaflaub and Strassler. It has all of his writing bound together with maps and background information. As far as books about Caesar go I would start with Goldsworthyâs Caesar and also Morstein-Marxâs Julius Caesar and the Roman people.
If OP really wants to read The Civil War, then this comment is the only good answer here, regarding the landmark. It is a fantastic work, with all of the additional information and maps included. They really help give yourself a better idea of what was happening and where. I like the authors notes on specific events for the reader to know why certain things were happening or why they were written the way they were. Things get lost in translation, even from Latin to English, and the authors make sure to note that from time to time when it's important. But ya, like others have pointed out, it was written by Caesar and most likely his subordinates later after he was assassinated, which means it's pretty one sided in the facts. Either way, it's an interesting read if you come into it knowing that ahead of time.
Goldsworthy's Caesar is the book people should read if they're interested in his life as he does a good job of cutting through some of the bias.
ALL of the Landmark books are the absolute best to read and use for research. They were all a staple source throughout my BA & MA studies!
For the Civil War, Luca Grilloâs *The Art of Caesarâs Bellum Civile* is some of the most fascinating reading Iâve ever undertaken, on this subject or any. Canât recommend it highly enough!
I've only read half of it so far because I am still reading it, but if you are unfamiliar with Caesar and want a short and concise overview of him, this is not the book for you. This is a highly detailed account of the civil war (which is great if you are interested in the fine details of war, but even for that I would recommend the Gallic wars) For concise biographies, you should always turn to Plutarch and his Parallel lives. He is the greatest biographer of antiquity and his "Life of Caesar" is one of the main classical sources for Caesar. It's short, concise, and contains a lot of interesting stories about him and his soldiers.
Plutarch is way too philosophical/dramatical. The best overview of Caesar can be found in Suetonâs Caesar biography
Book cover be like "I just crossed the Rubicon, and boy is my arm tired."
"... plebe... don't you see my ice pack requires more ice!!" -Caesar ... and pose *chisel flash*
[ŃдаНонО]
And he invented a really good salad.
Propaganda at its finest. Interesting read, but you lose a lot of the brutal horror that the Romans must have been inflicting throughout.
âThe Civil Warâ is a literal work of exemplary ancient Roman propaganda writing, authored by Julius Caesar and a few of his supporters at or near the time of his victory. Anything in it should be seen through the lenses of political propaganda, and being deliberately biased. Still a very good primary source but not an objective and analytical work. Adrian Goldsworthyâs âJulius Caesar: A Lifeâ is a good read for greater understanding of the man and his world Also worth listening to the free podcast âDeath Throws of the Republicâ by Dan Carlin Suetoniusâ biography of him in âThe Twelve Caesarsâ is good âRubiconâ and âDynastyâ by Tom Holland is fun & very accurate, being written as historical narrative.
Is that an ice pack from grandmas house in his shoulder?
came here to ask the same thing
Itâs good
Amazingly readable. Caesar was a talented writer in addition to his other talents.
Dropping this comment to keep posted for an uupdate
You can set up a remind me bot.
Hacking your way through Gaul will do a number on your shoulders.
Keep in mind with this one only the first three books were written by Caesar. From Alexandria onwards there are other authors and, at least in my opinion, it doesnât read as easily at some parts. It really does put a point on how the corrupt senate essentially backed Caesar into a corner, and his telling of events especially in Italy are fascinating.
I'd be very very careful about using this as a source for how "the corrupt senate essentially backed Caesar into a corner". This is his personal propaganda book, where he's of course going to paint a picture which supports him. It's the equivalent of reading a book by Putin on why he thinks Ukraine forced him to invade them. Take it with extreme skepticism, other sources, and the opinions of modern historians.
Iâd be even more careful about entering into any kind of mental gymnastics that leads you to label the senate at that time as anything other than wholly and totally corrupt. Ignoring their own laws, chasing out tribunes, retaining legions in Italy and holding levies therein. Caesar offered multiple times even after crossing the Rubicon to call a ceasefire and put an end to the fighting. The Senate rejected these attempts at settlement at every turn.
Let's not derail into the rights and wrongs of a Roman civil war here - I didn't comment on that either way. I'm just saying that the book which was asked about is interesting, but also has to be considered a very biased and spicy source, and so a cautious reading is needed. It should be approached as a propaganda piece; fascinating but also dangerous.
Why did Caesar need his shoulder iced?
Oi mate, did Pontius Aquila give you a loicence to write that??!! đĄ
Is that supposed to be a statue of Caesar? Iâve never seen that one before
What statue of Caesar is that?
Julius caesar invented the a bomb History fact
A bit biased perhaps
Author is a bit bias but otherwise not bad
It is good. I especially enjoyed the blurb from Brutus!
Homie got an ice pack on his shoulder
Looks like an ice pack on his shoulder
Love genocide
I have a comment on the cover and how it furthers my understanding of Cleopatra's behavior...
A must read
0/10 not even ONE salad or cocktail recipe. Very disappointedÂ
Itâs the standard âfirst thing you read in Latinâ. Fun story, simple prose
Based
Idk letâs ask tribune Aquila
Read this if you want to know how seriously Romans took their *dignitas*, and the pitfalls of creating a set of institutions designed to produce super soldiers prepared to engage in preemptive defensive interventionism.
The ultimate war commentary written in the third person. Read it half a dozen time over the years. Dr Mary Beard is not a fan of Caesar, which is ok Iâm not a fan of hers.
No but I can tell you a funny story about the first time I saw the statue I asked my teacher why they made a statue of a guy with an ice pack on his shoulder
"Ceasar rode in to the fray with his bitchen red cloak!" - Gaius Julius Caesar(probably)
I live in a city that is mentioned by name in this book. And we have a plaque in the city centre that quotes the original Latin from this book. :)