Book Review: Pen and Sword

Cicero wielded his pen so well, that centuries later it influenced Thomas Jefferson.  Pompey wielded his sword and came to be celebrated as Rome's greatest general.  Only Julius Caesar wielded both his pen and sword, that lets him rightfully tower in Roman History.

I just finished Gallic Wars, which are commentaries by Julius Caesar on his eponymous campaign that established him as a shining star to the Romans.  These commentaries are cleanly and crisply translated by Carolyn Hammond at Oxford University.

I am sure I am not the only person to feel this.  The entire time I was reading the commentaries, I could not shake the amazing feeling of Julius Caesar actually penning the words on the page that I was reading some 2,000 years later - directly!

Here are ten observations about Caesar's commentaries on his conquest of Gaul, (now France and Belgium):

1.  Style:  The writing is simple and direct.  It is very clear that Caesar is writing not for the high and mighty back in Rome, but for the person on the street.  He grips you from his very first sentence, and does not let go.  One funny thing to notice right away is that he refers to himself in the third person. Caesar said this, or Caesar thought that etc.  Once in a while he slips into, "I went there" first person language.

This reminds me of Senator Bob Dole's US Presidential campaign.  After losing the New Hampshire primary to Pat Buchanan during the 1996 presidential election campaign, Bob Dole announced, "You're going to see the real Bob Dole out there from now on." The real Bob Dole regularly referred to himself in the third person.

2.  Propaganda:  Caeser is a subtle propagandist.  With the benefit of hindsight and multiple commentaries, one can see through how he is influencing the narrative.  He exaggerates his weakness and the opponents strength to make the outcome look even better.  But even as a knowing reader, after unpeeling the exaggeration, one can see the exploration, adventure and innovation with every cut and thrust of his advance deep in Gaul.

3.  Military Strategy:  This is a blow by blow account rather than a summary look back at the Gaul Campaign.  It is a diary of sorts.  Thus the uncertain outcome of what a particular strategy holds is palpable.  One can imagine people back in Rome breathlessly waiting for the next batch of reports from the front line.  The way Casear finds a way to win is quite breathtaking.  No wonder Patton and Napoleon equally found the military strategy and tactics of the Gallic Wars instructive.  Napoleon published his commentaries in 1836 on Julius Caesar's wars.

4.  Engineering:  Caesar was putting all the knowledge and knowhow of Rome to full use.  The speed with which he moved (which constantly surprised his opponents), his ability to build bridges, his ability to construct ramparts (most famously in the final battle of Alesia), build ships (to explore Britain) is quite incredible.

5.  Inspirational Leadership:  Most of the time, in terms of numbers, Caesar was at a numerical disadvantage (even accounting for his "propaganda").   He was constantly running out of food for his troops.  They were tired.  They wanted to get back home.  Time and again, when he sensed he was losing his troops, he would step up and deliver a speech that would keep them motivated.

This is how Cicero, no mean orator himself, praises Caesar's style:  "... when he adds to his skillful style of words ... he seems to be setting well-painted pictures to hang in a good light.  He possesses a certain clarity in his manner of speaking which has nothing to do with preparation or practice.  In his voice, gesture and appearance, his manner is grand and noble."

6.  Debt:  The entire time I was reading the account, the constant question I had was, "why is he doing this?" Caesar would take major risks when the safe thing to do might have been to retreat and consolidate.  Yet at each turn when presented with a choice, he would thrust forward.  The question, in hindsight worth asking is, why?

It turns out the first motivator was debt.  Caesar piled up personal debt as he rose in his career.  And Roman tradition was that victors in war could keep a portion of the spoils.  Caesar came back from the Gallic campaign a very wealth individual, his debts repaid and debts of several sitting senators repaid!

7.  Prosecution:  A second reason was to stave off prosecution.  The Senate back in Rome, led by Cato the Younger (a stalwart conservative of the old Roman Republican traditions - and preserver of status quo for the nobility) was chomping at the bit to prosecute Caesar.  Literally everything Caesar did in Gaul was against the wishes of the Senate and in service of reason #1 above.  Thus the more he did what he did in Gaul, the more the Senate got enraged at him.

8.  Glory:  Each campaign, supported by his serial narrative, raised Caear's profile with the Roman public.  Especially his forays for the first time in Germania and into Britain was new exploration and received breathlessly back in Rome.  The two forays into Britain did nothing much for the Roman Empire per se.  But it certainly increased Caesar's star power.

9.  Vicengetorix:  The battle with Vicengetorix is the climax of the Gallic War narrative.  Vicengetorix manages to unite the Gallic tribes and has Caesar trapped in Alesia and he is on the ropes.  Caeaser is completely surrounded, with mortal enemies on the outside and on the inside.  He is vastly outnumbered.  He is out of food.  And his men are tired.  It is hard to make this up!

The description of this battle in Caesar's own writing and in subsequent analysis by any number of historians is worth reading and appreciating all on its own.  Dynamic, innovative, creative, daring, desperate and lucky.  All of those in equal measure cause Caesar to emerge victorious over Vicengetorix.

Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield in the Belgian comic book series is inspired by the battle of Aleisa.

10.  The die is cast:  After that last victory, Caesar is set.  All manner of things had happened to cause a split between Pompey and Caesar to cause a Civil War to ensue.  Regardless, from the narrative, it is quite clear what Caesar's intentions are.  Caesar was supposed to have said, "the die is cast" while crossing the Rubicon river to initiate the Civil War that ended the 500 year old Roman Republic.

But it is quite clear from reading his commentaries on the Gallic War, that the die was cast well before that seminal crossing.  Indeed, it was cast when Caesar asked for the governorship and left for Gaul eight years prior!

When I was reading about Cicero this past summer, I was enthralled.  However, that entire time, Julius Caesar was casting a giant shadow.  Now that I have read his Gallic War commentaries, balance is restored.  Two of the towering figures from the last 50 years of the Roman Republic, reach out across two thousand years with feats of pen and sword.

What a pair!