Was Caesar a Demagogue?
"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world. Like a colossus, and we petty men. Walk under his huge legs, and peep about. To find ourselves dishonorable graves."
-Cassius, Shakespeare's Caesar.
Was Julius Caesar a demagogue?
demagogue (Google Dictionary):
"a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational arguments. "
"(in ancient Greece and Rome) a leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people."
Layman's criteria (from Wikipedia): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demagogue
1. They fashion themselves as a man or woman of the common people, opposed to the elites.
2. Their politics depends on a visceral connection with the people, which greatly exceeds ordinary political popularity.
3. They manipulate this connection, and the raging popularity it affords, for their own benefit and ambition.
4. They threaten or outright break established rules of conduct, institutions, and even the law.
Arguments for Yes
Caesar was Donald Trump before there was Donald Trump. A charismatic, all great, all-knowing, superstar celebrity, gazillionare, playboy general and Alexander wannabe (with a not so fantastic combover) who exploited the fears and passions of Rome's plebeian class for personal gain. Creating a brand name that literally means power; czar, Kaiser, and of course, Emperor of Rome (in addition to casinos and salads).
In addition:
-While at a funeral banquet for his wife Cornelia, he once proclaimed that he and his family were descendant from gods. A propaganda claim he would make again and again for political ascension.
-He made a habit of bribing, including collusion, with the first Triumvirate in order to win elections.
-A prolific showboater and trash-talker (perhaps the greatest in history), Caesar famously penned The Gallic Campaigns, The Diatribes against Cato, The Journey, and wrote a series of poems and speeches designed to smear political opponents (like Cato and Bibulus). In addition to his boastful oratory and appearances at trials, he once participated in a quadruple triumph while hosting some of the most expensive gladiatorial games ever seen in Rome's history. At his Triumph over Pontus, he once marched into Rome behind an escort of forty elephants, a wagon train carrying over 20,000 lbs of gold, thousands of captured slaves, and a placard that said, "I came, I saw, I conquered."
-He used political office to evade criminal prosecution, and shamelessly awarded favors and public lands to his creditors.
-Caesar once arrogantly boasted to a band of pirates -as a captive- that he was worth 50 talents (instead of 20) and would have them all crucified upon his release (which he did to his credit).
-A womanizer and playboy, Caesar famously bagged Cleopatra, and according to Suetonius; the wives of Crassus, Pompey, and Servilia, mother of Brutus. He used these affairs of course to acquire wealth and political power in Rome.
-He exiled Bibulus to his house under threat of violence, proceeding to govern as sole Consul for a time.
-He raised and funded his own legions, granting them citizenship, slaves, plunder, and land upon retirement, in affect creating a client army more loyal to Caesar than to the senate.
-He instigated wars for glory, and took hostages, slaves, and tribute from conquered people in Gaul.
-He named a month after himself.
-He sat in a gold chair at the senate house, wore purple, and had his statue placed in religious temples.
-He used debts, written contracts, pardons, and oaths to maintain loyalty from key political supporters, and promoted the idea that he was benevolent - and his wife always above suspicion.
-He used spoils of war to fund public works, monuments, and temples, to which he gave himself all the credit.
-And he instigated a civil war by illegally crossing the Rubicon, which upon its conclusion he accepted the office of dictator for life.
Arguments for No
Caesar was a patriot and the populist answer to an elitist government that was too content to let everyday problems go by than let somebody else get the credit for fixing them. As a statesman and general, he lived in a time of unprecedented internal conflict, where political violence , including civil war between the upper and lower classes, was already the norm. At no point in Rome's history was it more dangerous to serve in public life, or undertake actions that would potentially benefit all Romans, and not just the established elite. Optimate senators could murder tribunes with impunity, plunder the treasury, accept bribes from foreign agents, usurp the law, and shamelessly flout awards and triumphs before the popular assembly, while denying plebeians basic rights. Caesar tried to change this, and for that he is one of history's rare examples of a benevolent dictator.
In addition:
-As Dictator, he shared election responsibilities with the populace, and appointed people who were nominated by the electorate.
-He denounced proscription (after Sulla).
-He enacted populist policies, including land reform, debt relief, and grain for the masses.
-Made public the daily register of the senate.
-Justified the Gallic Wars as a need to protect Rome's allies and secure Rome's borders from "illegal immigration."
-Advocated restoring power to the tribunes (after Sulla / not as dictator).
-He increased the number of senators and admitted new people to the rank of patrician and citizen. Including assimilated people.
-Made citizens of all medical doctors and teachers in Rome.
-Reformed the calendar.
-Disbanded guilds.
-Showed admirable restraint and compassion for other Romans during the civil war, forgiving many of those who fought against him.
-Carried out a general census, expanded the tax base, and increased tariff on foreign imports.
-Increased punishments for breaking the law and those who committed adultery.
-Included the Roman people in his will.
-And very importantly, never made himself king.
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Originally Posted by Mamlaz
