Caesar: Alexandrian War African War Spanish War (Loeb 402)

Rating:
Summary: VENI VIDI VICI
Review: Although there are many translations of this work available on the market, there are few publications that offer Caesar's work in its original Latin as well as with its English translation in one single text. Over the last century, Loeb publishers have been unique in providing their readers with the original text and the translated version side-by-side for every reader to view. Furthermore, these works were translated by some of the best classical scholars of the day in a fluid style that has stood the test of time. I strongly recommend Loeb's publication of Caesar's Alexandrian/African/Spanish War over that of other publishers: there's simply no comparison.

As for the work specifically, it is one of the only texts we have whose author was a political statesman from the late republic (Cicero being the other.) It is commonly agreed by most modern scholars that the works were dictated by Caesar and written by one or more of his subordinates during his campaigns. The style is therefore clear, succint, and unadorned. The work offers a detailed look at the final years of the Roman Republic: its politics, armies, culture, and the great conflict that would ultimately destroy it to make way for a future empire that would last over 500 years.

This sequel to Caesar's Civil Wars follows the aftermath of Pompey's defeat at the battle of Pharsalus and his escape to Egypt. Caesar recites his pursuit of his nemesis to Alexandria and the death of Pompey at the hands of King Ptolemy. This section also discusses his encounter with the legendary queen-to-be, Cleopatra, and his efforts to control the strategic port against King Ptolemy's forces. His narrative then covers his finishing operations against Pompey's remaining supporters in Africa and in Spain. As with all of his other works, the reader should be cautious and approach this narrative as political propaganda. Caesar was a shrude politician and a charismatic populist. In order to obtain the broadest support in what remained of the Republic, Caesar always made sure his audience in Rome was well informed as to how he was justified in his actions and how successful he was; even though that was not always the case. He was also very careful in downplaying his dictatorial ambitions and errors in judgment while emphasizing those of his opponents. To ensure this, he dictated and disseminated these commentaries which we treasure today as a window to the distant past.

Apart from the works of Cicero, Lucan and Catullus, Caesar's Commentaries are the only works from that period which have survived in more or less complete form and, that give us an account of the peoples and events of that time: making such works precious indeed. Again, I cannot recommend this translation enough as one of the best available today. As for the work itself, it is a direct account from one of the greatest military and political leaders in human history: a man whose fateful crossing of the Rubicon over 2000 years ago changed the face of the world like a collossus until our present time; a man whose innovative military stratagems have not only been tested true time and time again, but are still taught today in virtually every military academy. It is a priceless work that all should read at least once in their life.