A companion to Julius Caesar

A Companion to Julius Caesar comprises 30 essays from leading scholars examining the life and after life of this great polarizing figure.: Explores Caesar from a variety of perspectives: military genius, ruthless tyrant, brilliant politician, first class orator, sophisticated man of letters, and more.; Utilizes Caesar's own extant writings.; Examines the viewpoints of Caesar's contemporaries and explores Caesar's portrayals by artists and writers through the ages

In both the ancient and modern world, few historical figures are more recognizable – or more controversial – than Julius Caesar. After ancient Rome was plunged into civil war, Caesar emerged to become the undisputed master of the Roman world. Indeed, his subsequent assassination in 44 BC marked one of the great turning points in world history as Rome made its epochal transition from republic to empire.

A Companion to Julius Caesar examines the great man – and great polarizing figure – from a variety of illuminating perspectives: military genius, ruthless tyrant, brilliant politician, first class orator, sophisticated man of letters, and more. Essays by leading scholars in classics, ancient history and art, modern history, and European literature approach Caesar from many viewpoints, including that of his contemporaries, and explore how Caesar has been portrayed by artists, writers, and poets from antiquity to the present day. Lively, engaging, and comprehensive in scope, this Companion is one of the richest and most vivid portraits of Julius Caesar available today – a triumphant addition to classical scholarship.

Few historical figures, in both the ancient and the modern world, are more recognizable - or more controversial - than Julius Caesar. After ancient Rome was plunged into civil war, Caesar emerged to become the undisputed master of the Roman world. Indeed, his subsequent assassination in 44 BC marked one of the great turning points in world history as Rome made its epoch-making transition from republic to empire. A Companion to Julius Caesar examines the great man and his image from a variety of perspectives: military genius, brilliant politician, first class orator, sophisticated man of letters, relentless careerist, ruthless conqueror, tactless autocrat. Essays by leading scholars in classics, ancient history and art, modern history, and European literature explore the reputation of Caesar starting with his contemporaries, and show how artists, writers, and poets from antiquity to the present day have depicted Caesar. Lively, engaging, and comprehensive in scope, this Companion is one of the richest and most vivid portraits of Julius Caesar available today - a triumphant addition to literary and historical scholarship. --Book Jacket. A Companion to Julius Caesar comprises 30 essays from leading scholars examining the life and after life of this great polarizing figure. The book explores Caesar from a variety of perspectives: military genius, ruthless tyrant, brilliant politician, first class orator, sophisticated man of letters, and more. In doing so the book utilizes Caesar's own extant writings and those of his contemporaries.