The Spanish War

Gaius Julius Caesar · Aulus Hirtius · Gaius Oppius

Sep 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

This is an incredible history of ancient Rome focusing on the Spanish war. It concisely explains the events that followed when Caesar left Rome for Hispania in the spring of 49 BC to secure the province and defeat Pompey's seven legions under Marcus Petreius, Lucius Afranius, and Marcus Varro.

About the author

Gaius Julius Caesar (c. 100–44 BCE) was a Roman general, statesman, and author, known primarily for his role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His literary corpus offers not only a wealth of historical information but also a unique glimpse into the mind of one of history's most influential figures. Although his most celebrated works are 'Commentarii de Bello Gallico' and 'Commentarii de Bello Civili,' which chronicle his military campaigns in Gaul and the civil war, another significant although lesser-known work attributed to him is 'The Spanish War' ('De Bello Hispaniensi'). This particular text, while debated for its authorship and not considered as stylistically polished as Caesar's undisputed writings, provides an account of Caesar's campaigns on the Iberian Peninsula during the civil war. His literary style is marked by clarity, directness, and an unadorned narrative form, which was in contrast to the rhetorical flourishes that were common in his era. His writings not only served as historical records but also as political propaganda, highlighting his military prowess and political acumen. Caesar's works have had a lasting influence on the genres of historical and political literature, offering an invaluable perspective on Roman history from the eyes of one of its principal actors.