Gallic War (Bellum Gallicum) ALEX NICE INTRODUCTION Caesar’s Gallic War (Bellum Gallicum) is an autobiographical, third person, narrative of Julius Caesar’s campaigns in Gaul and Germany, written between 58 and 50 BCE. Seven books recount his actions from 58 to 52. An additional book by Caesar’s legate, Aulus HIRTIUS (cos. 43), relates events from 51 and 50. The Gallic War offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the linguistic, rhetori- cal, and historical processes of one of Rome’s most dynamic politicians and outstanding intellectuals. HISTORICAL CONTEXT JULIUS CAESAR was elected consul for 59. His pro-consular province was initially designated as the silvae callesque Italiae, perhaps in response to a perceived Gallic threat (Rhodes 1978). An openly popularis pol- itician, Caesar had made many enemies in bribing his way to the position of pontifex maximus (see PONTIFEX, PONTIFICES) in 63 and, as a member of the “first triumvirate,” was considered a threat by his enemies, who feared the support that he was offering to POMPEY and CRASSUS. Later in that year, Caesar was granted Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum, and then, on the death of its governor, Trans- alpine Gaul. To avoid prosecution, Caesar’s command was for an initial five years. At the Conference of Luca in 56, Caesar’s pro- consulship was extended for another five years. These governorships offered fabulous prospects to cultivate political friendships, to enrich Caesar financially, and to win military renown that would match his political accomplishments. LITERARY FORM, STYLE, AND INFLUENCES The exact title of Caesar’s Gallic (and Civil) War was C. Iuli Caesaris commentarii rerum gestarum (“The commentaries of C. Julius Caesar on his achievements”). At Rome, the commentarius form (see COMMENTARII AND HYPOMNEMATA) had developed in the writings of the priestly colleges, of the magistracies, and in the senatorial dispatches, reports, and diaries of its generals. The Romans customarily celebrated the res gestae (“things done”) of their ancestors in eulogies and funerary inscriptions. Both genres were regarded as the raw material for historiography. By the Late Republic, generals and politicians recog- nized that published memoirs presented an opportunity for self-justification and self- promotion. The most obvious inspiration for Caesar’s Commentaries would have been SULLA ’s similarly titled twenty-two book Commentarii rerum gestarum. However, the chronological structure of The Gallic War sometimes alludes directly to the annalistic form characteristic of Roman historiography, as at the beginnings of books four and five, or when years are divided into summers and winters. The beginnings of books are effectively marked with ever more threats to the peace of Gaul, justifying Caesar’s continued presence in the territory. The ends of books also: the return to winter quarters in 1, 3, 5, and 6 offers a soft respite from the frenetic pace of Caesar’s campaigns; the public supplications in honor of Caesar’s deeds occupy, on each occasion, the last sentence of books 2, 4, and 7. Each is a suitably climactic ending and a none-too-subtle reminder of what Caesar had achieved. Furthermore, according to Cicero (see CICERO, MARCUS TULLIUS), historiography required chro- nological arrangement, geographical descrip- tion, and matters worth recording (including intentions, achievements, and results) (Cic. De Orat. 2.63). It was also useful to have a central The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, First Edition. Edited by Roger S. Bagnall, Kai Brodersen, Craige B. Champion, Andrew Erskine, and Sabine R. Huebner, print pages 2828–2832. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Published 2013 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. DOI: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah20068 1