Preston Barnes
6/16/08
History 103
Dr. Carmichael

            Plutarch’s A Man of Unlimited Ambition: Julius Caesar gives the reader a first-hand account of the political atmosphere surrounding the Roman Empire during around 44 B.C., or rather, the year of Julius Caesar’s death. The Greek historian begins the document with a somewhat profound statement as he writes, “But that which brought upon him the most apparent and mortal hatred was his desire of being king; which gave the common people the first occasion to quarrel with him, and proved the most specious pretence to those who had been his secret enemies all along” (Plutarch). Upon first reading one might deem Julius Caesar as comfortable and proud of the title of king; however, as Plutarch notes, Caesar “seemed to resent it” (Plutarch). While he desired the role as leader of the Roman Empire, Caesar seemingly saw his own name as the most sufficient description of his executive position. This fact presents an interesting dichotomy of sentiments between the common people, who despised his desire to be the sole ruler, and the senate, who felt he did fully embrace his position as their leader.

            According to Bulliet, Julius Caesar was “Rome’s most brilliant general” (Bulliet 135), whose infectious ambition garnered unwavering loyalty from his armies. Caesar’s rise in Rome was a military one that eventually allowed him to “exercise dictatorial control” (Bulliet 136). The acknowledgement of Caesar assuming a dictatorial stance in the Roman Empire legitimizes the resulting sentiments of the people and senate. The idea of a dictator was unsettling to the common people, yet intriguing to those of closer rank to Caesar. Obviously, their chances of assuming his position are much more likely, which could be, in large part, their reason for bestowing on him many “extravagant honours” (Plutarch). Of course, it was his modesty that infuriated members of the Senate such as Marcus Brutus and Cassius. They believed that it was contradicting and probably insulting for Caesar to declare himself as dictator for life, while simultaneously exhibiting such a modest and, as a result, pompous behavior. An example of this attitude can be seen at the Lupercalia, where Plutarch tells of Antony, a consul, who offers a crown to Caesar. Caesar, however, refuses the crown which receives high praise and applause from the crowd. Immediately after a second offer, Caesar decides that all his statues’ be garnished with these crowns resulting in a small protest by Flavius and Marullus, who represent the people. Their removal of the crowns exposes the dictatorial side of Caesar whose displacement of Marullus and Flavius “ridicules the people” (Plutarch).

            Throughout Plutarch’s Ambition, Caesar’s seems to struggle with pleasing both the people and the senate. In one case he exhibits too much authority over the people while in the view of the Senate he insufficiently embraces his high rank of leadership. Ultimately, these overriding sentiments lead to a desire for change amongst many Romans, people and senate alike. As a result, the Ides of March occur on March 15, 44 B.C.E., and Julius Caesar is assassinated.