Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic and Civil Wars, Julius Caesar Introduction
Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic and Civil Wars
With the Supplementary Books attributed to Hirtius
Including the Alexandrian, African and Spanish Wars
Julius Caesar Introduction
Authorship information:
Suetonius (Suet.12 Caes.Julius.56), in his biography of Julius Caesar states
that the Gallic and Civil Wars were written by Caesar, and that the 8th book of
the Gallic Wars was written by (Aulus) Hirtius. Suetonius also indicates that
either Caesar's friend Oppius, or Hirtius likely wrote about the Alexandrian,
African and Spanish wars, but that their authorship was not certain.
Subject of the books:
This is a detailed description of the war campaigns of Julius Caesar, starting
from the time that he was in charge of the Roman forces in France (Gaul). Caesar's
writting style is that of a detailed factual report, prepared year by year, of
the events. The parts not written by him attempt a similiar style, but are not
as clean (See the notes of Hortius, at the start of the 8th book of the Gallic
Wars). Caesar's writings present himself as a much more balanced and just leader
than Suetonius or Plutarch indicate in their biographies of him. Also, the accounts
of the army during the Spanish campaign show a more brutal side to his leadership.
Dating of the events (approximate):
Gallic Wars: Book 1 -- -58 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 2 -- -57 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 3 -- -56 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 4 -- -55 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 5 -- -54 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 6 -- -53 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 7 -- -52 B.C.
Gallic Wars: Book 8 -- -51-50 B.C.
Civil Wars: Book 1 -- -50 B.C.
Civil Wars: Book 2 -- -49 B.C.
Civil Wars: Book 3 -- -48-47 B.C.
Alexandrian War
African War
Spanish War
