Why Julius Caesar Was Historical Figure?

        To answer why Julius Caesar was a historical figure, we must first define what historical figure means.  According to Dr. Fears, a historical figure is a one who moves the entire human race to a new level or era of achievement.  They are the people that will change the world and its future.  They stand above the judgments and opinions of ordinary people.  They have a different point of view when it comes to good and evil and sometimes, actions that can be perceived as evil may be for the greater good.  In that sense, it may be necessary for the greater good to defeat and conquer others.  Along with Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar is one of the two that can be defined as a world-historical figure.

        Caesar’s influences reached far and among Roman citizens and those who would become a Roman citizen.  One of Caesar’s greatest characteristics is his ability of foresight.  Foresight is the ability to solve a problem with a solution that is good for the short-term and long-term.  With his foresight, he solved multiple problems that Rome was facing both internally and externally, such as the many reforms that he carried out during his tenure as supreme ruler of Rome.

        First, he solved the financial troubles of Rome. Over time, the national and personal debt of each Roman citizen has accumulated tremendously.  His economic reform not only brought the empire out of debt, but also made the people prosperous.  In the short-term aspect, Caesar was able to eliminate the national debt by paying it out of his own pocket.  His victories over his enemies have gained him incredible wealth from the spoils of war.  Additionally, he was able to make each citizen more prosperous by eliminating his or her personal indebtedness in terms of interest.  Each citizen only had to repay the principal amount of their debt and not the interest.  In the long-term, he cut taxes by only requiring citizens to work two days a year in the army, reduced welfare in half, and restored jobs to Romans.

        Second, his citizenship reform allowed more people to become and identify themselves as Romans.  In the short-term, he convinced that the provinces’ best interest would be to serve in the Roman Empire.  This is the best way to make their economy work.  Additionally, he would lower their taxes, similar to the current Roman citizens, regularize its administration, and most important of all, he gave citizenships to those provinces.  In the long-term, this would result in everyone becoming a citizen and created a massive united empire.

        Third, Caesar’s colony reform resulted in several improvements.   Short-term wise, he gave lands to veterans.  Much of these lands were established as colonies overseas.  In turn this created a high loyal army, one that will eventually be Augustus’s.  In the long-term, these cities became prosperous.  Cities such as Corinth and Carthage were rebuilt the thrived.  Additionally, these cities and colonies help spread the Roman ideals and values.

        Fourth, Caesar’s reform of the senate rid of the long-standing problem of corruption.  Members of the senate were highly corrupted and were easily bought out, especially by the rich such as the equestrian class.  To mitigate this problem, Caesar raised the number of senators to 900 and filled them with friends and appointees to help him in his causes.  In the long-term, his results were successful.  The senate would be purged of its corruption and become the best political machine it has ever been.

        Fifth:  his conquest of Gaul.  This would lay the foundation for his ultimate rule over the Roman Empire.  In the short-term, he raised a huge army, one that is 10 legions strong and acquired a vast amount of wealth, during his campaigned all over the land of Gaul.  His conquest over Gaul left one million Gaul dead, one million enslaved, and another million to live under his rule.  In the long-term, this land would become on of the most flourishing parts of the Roman Empire, and eventually laid the foundation for modern day France.