Caesar's Dictator Perpetuo: The Power That Destroyed Rome

Caesar's Egyptian Campaign and the Death of Pompey

In this episode of Julius Caesar: The Man Who Destroyed the Roman Republic, Lucas and Luna explore Caesar's dramatic pursuit of Pompey to Egypt in 48 BCE. They cover the assassination of Pompey by the Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII, Caesar's subsequent arrival in Alexandria, his involvement in the Ptolemaic civil war, and the famous alliance with Cleopatra. The episode delves into the political calculations behind Pompey's murder, the burning of the Library of Alexandria, and Caesar's role in placing Cleopatra on the throne. Listeners will encounter key figures like Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra VII, the eunuch Pothinus, and the general Achillas, as well as events like the Siege of Alexandria and the Battle of the Nile. The conversation highlights how this Egyptian interlude shaped Caesar's personal life and Roman politics, setting the stage for his final years. #JuliusCaesar #Pompey #Cleopatra #PtolemyXIII #Alexandria #LibraryOfAlexandria #BattleOfTheNile #SiegeOfAlexandria #RomanRepublic #Egypt #Pothinus #Achillas #CaesarCivilWar #AncientHistory #FexingoHistory #History #Mediterranean #Caesar'sEgyptianCampaign Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Caesar's Dictatorship: The Reforms That Ended the Republic

In the final years of his life, Julius Caesar wielded unprecedented power as dictator of Rome. This episode explores the sweeping reforms he enacted between 47 and 44 BCE: from overhauling the calendar with the help of the Alexandrian astronomer Sosigenes, to restructuring Roman government, expanding citizenship to Transpadane Gaul, and launching massive building projects. We also examine the constitutional innovations that alarmed the senatorial elite, including his appointment as dictator perpetuo and the divine honors he accepted. How did Caesar's reforms aim to solve the Republic's chronic problems — and why did they ultimately lead to his assassination? Join Lucas and Luna as they dig into the last act of Caesar's career, the moment when one man's vision for Rome collided with centuries of tradition. #JuliusCaesar #RomanRepublic #DictatorPerpetuo #Sosigenes #JulianCalendar #TranspadaneGaul #CuriaIulia #BasilicaIulia #ForumIulium #VenusGenetrix #Senate #Populares #Optimates #ClementiaCaesaris #IdesOfMarch #AncientRome #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Caesar's African War and the Battle of Thapsus

After his victory over Pompey at Pharsalus, Julius Caesar still faced a formidable coalition of Optimate forces in North Africa. This episode follows Caesar's challenging African campaign, from his perilous landing at Hadrumetum to the final battle at Thapsus in 46 BCE. We explore the key figures: the Numidian king Juba I who allied with the Republican remnants, the Roman general Metellus Scipio, and the ingenious but controversial tactics Caesar employed, including the use of aquilifers to rally wavering legions. We also unpack the brutal aftermath—the massacre of elephants, the suicides of Cato and Juba, and the political reorganisation of Africa Nova. How did this victory, so decisive on the battlefield, actually accelerate the collapse of the Republic? And why did Caesar's clemency fail so spectacularly here? Join us for a deep dive into a campaign that sealed Caesar's dominance but sowed the seeds of his own assassination. #History #FexingoHistory #JuliusCaesar #BattleOfThapsus #RomanRepublic #NorthAfrica #Juba #CatoTheYounger #CivilWar #Numidia #AfricaNova #RomanLegions #Elephants #Optimate #Hadrumetum #Utica #46BCE #CaesarsCivilWar Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Caesar's Siege of Massilia: The Civil War's Urban Crucible

In 49 BC, as Julius Caesar marched on Rome and Pompey fled east, one city dared to resist: Massilia, the ancient Greek colony that had stood for centuries. Lucas and Luna examine the siege that became a microcosm of the civil war—naval battles, engineering ingenuity, and the brutal calculus of loyalty and survival. They explore Massilia's unique status as a free city, Caesar's double blockade by land and sea, the role of his loyal legate Decimus Brutus in building a fleet from scratch, and the final surrender that foreshadowed the Republic's end. Along the way, they consider the siege's human cost, the fate of Massilia's treasuries and libraries, and how this single city's defiance shaped the broader conflict. A story of strategy, desperation, and the price of choosing sides. #History #FexingoHistory #JuliusCaesar #Massilia #RomanCivilWar #DecimusBrutus #SiegeWarfare #NavalBattle #AncientGreece #RomanRepublic #Pompey #Gaul #CommentariiDeBelloCivili #Caesar #Marseille #49BC #MilitaryHistory #UrbanSiege Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Caesar's Illyrian Campaign and the Forgotten War

In this episode, we step back from the familiar battles of Gaul and the drama of the civil war to explore a campaign that Caesar himself often overlooked: his war in Illyricum in 57 BCE. While he was conquering Gaul, the province of Illyricum — roughly modern-day Croatia, Bosnia, and Albania — was under threat from the Pirustae and other local tribes. Caesar, as governor of both Gallia and Illyricum, had a duty to defend the region. We dive into the geography of the Dinaric Alps, the logistical challenges of campaigning in rugged terrain, and the political importance of Illyricum to Roman control of the Adriatic. Lucas explains how Caesar's dealings with the Illyrian tribes reveal his pragmatism: he negotiated terms with the Pirustae rather than fighting a costly war, sending a clear message about his priorities. We also touch on the role of Illyrian sailors in the later civil war, the legacy of Caesar's brief presence in the region, and why this campaign is so often forgotten. #Illyricum #JuliusCaesar #RomanRepublic #Pirustae #IllyrianWar #Adriatic #DinaricAlps #CommentariiDeBelloGallico #RomanProvince #57BCE #AncientWarfare #RomanHistory #MilitaryHistory #Balkans #LucasAndLuna #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]