Compare and Contrast Leaders

Three men attempted to reform the Roman political system: Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, and Diocletian. Contrast their efforts and relative success or failure.

Julius Caesar was an able administrator and a famous general. He wrote new laws and changed and improved how to rule provinces of the empire. During his early career, he had seen how chaotic and dysfunctional the Roman Republic had become. He wanted change and was going to make it happen.

Julius Caesar can be considered a defender of the rights of the common man in a state controlled by the elite. He understood their interests, concerns and problems and his administration of Rome shows he tried to better their plight.

The common Soldier loved him because he was a good commander that shared their hardships. He made positive contributions to Rome, particularly through military victories that added the provinces of Italy to the Roman Republic. He pardoned his enemies, improved housing for the poor, and allowed outsiders to become Roman citizens. He increased the number of members in the Roman Senate so that it more accurately reflected the Roman population.

Julius Caesar has a great importance in Rome's history because he was the one who started the transition of Rome from a Republic in which the Senate had the true power to an Empire where the dominant political figure was the Emperor.

He realized that the old Republic was unable to rule an Empire so great. Of course he wanted the power for himself and was killed by some senators who feared the Republic's fall.

When he was killed, he had too many enemies in and outside Rome: the Senate, composed by the members of the oldest and richest families of Rome, who didn't want to lose power, the aristocracy, who feared to see their country conquered by the Romans, the friends of Pompey, which was defeated by Caesar in a bloody civil war. The year he was murdered, the Roman Senate had named Julius Caesar dictator for life.

If you look to the importance...