Caesar
& # 8217 ; s Reforms Essay, Research Paper
Caesar had several motivations for set uping his reforms. They varied from increasing the stableness of the Roman Government, to fostering his ain aspirations. His reforms were broad ranging, and covered countries covering with the states, disposal, the economic system, and public plants.
The settlements and states were a major focal point of Caesar & # 8217 ; s statute law. The states were increased in their position, and were made more of import. In 49 BC, Caesar enfranchised the state of Transpadene Gaul, and the Legio Aluandae which he had raised in Narbonese Gaul. Franchises were besides granted to friendly metropoliss such as Lisbon and Cadiz. Caesar besides made a regulation which granted Roman Citizen position to any settlement with a big figure of Roman Settlers. Caesar & # 8217 ; s preparedness to give the upgraded position to the provincials showed that he wanted the Empire to embrace all of its members, non merely those who originated in Rome. The citizenship position was much sought after, and provided for many rights, the most of import of which was the right of entreaty against Roman magistrates. The provincials who received franchise or citizenship felt more a portion of the Roman system than earlier, and hence was less likely to do dissent due to political motivations.
Caesar saw that many politicians viewed the states as a big money-tree, expecting crop. To hold the development of the states, he enacted two reforms. The revenue enhancement system was to be scrapped. Caesar besides fixed the testimonial collectible by Transalpine Gaul, and he besides replaced the tithe system in Asia and Sicily with a fixed land revenue enhancement. Therefore, the demand for jobbers was eliminated, along with that portion of the development job. The footings of promagistrates and provincial governors were besides shortened to supply for just authorities. Caesar had therefore shown that he had motivations for bettering bilateral dealingss with the states.
Caesar drafted a measure to set up 20 abroad settlements. He besides had the purpose of spread outing and repopulating & # 8216 ; deceasing & # 8217 ; settlements such as Carthage, Corinth and Hispalis. Each settlement was granted ( at least ) Latin position. Caesar could perchance hold several motivations for outlining this statute law. The big population based in Rome, and other developed metropoliss, was puting strain on the metropoliss. Caesar & # 8217 ; s program would alleviate at least 200,000 citizens from these metropoliss and moreover would supply them with new employment chances. Another possible ground was Caesar & # 8217 ; s desire to increase Roman influence in outlying countries. Caesar planned to & # 8216 ; Romanise & # 8217 ; the states by replacing native civilization, faith and political relations with the Roman equivalent. This would finally extinguish any sense of patriotism felt by the provincials ; and their complete commitment would be held by Rome. The veterans of his hosts besides played a function in his pick to spread out the settlements. Land in Africa or Asia was abundant and inexpensive compared with land in Italy. Thus, provincial settlements were an easy manner to provide for the demands of retiring veterans.
Caesar reformed the authorities of Rome because of ambiguities and inefficiencies which had existed from its beginning. The figure of magistrates was increased to get by with the demands placed on them by the turning imperium. The figure of pretors was increased to 8, with Quaestors to 40 and Aediles to 6. To
farther cut down the strain on Roman magistrates, a lex Julia Municipalis was drafted ( but non passed until after his decease, by Marcus Antonius ) . It created a local authorities with decurio ( local senators ) and local magistrates. Caesar ne’er truly had faith in the Roman Republican system. His reforms to beef up it, was truly to do it more feasible than its old dependance on tradition would let.
To farther addition efficiency, the Julian calendar was introduced in 46BC. The Roman Calendar was out of synchronism with the solar twelvemonth. To counterbalance, the priests could intercalate at will, giving rise to possible corruptness by politicians who wanted to protract their term of office. Sosigenes ( a Greek mathematician ) was employed by Caesar to work out the job. 3 intercalary months were added to 46BC, and the new calendar adopted 365 yearss in the twelvemonth.
The senate had been depleted by the Civil War. Caesar had besides acknowledged that it was non representative of the whole Roman Empire. To work out this, the figure of seats was increased to 900, and provincials ( particularly from Gaul and Spain ) were admitted. With the increased provincial content, the Senate & # 8217 ; s authorization would be more widely respected than antecedently. Besides, the optimates within the Senate, who were political enemies of Caesar, would hold their sentiments & # 8216 ; diluted & # 8217 ; by the new Numberss of Senators who owed their place to Caesar. The figure of senators and magistrates who were allied to Caesar now gave him effectual control over the authorities.
He besides obtained the favor of the Equites. He ejected the Tribuni Aerii from the Questiones ( jurisprudence tribunals ) , therefore go forthing equal Numberss of Senators and Equites in charge. This move ended the feud between the challengers to some extent, and besides provided for a more stable judicial system. However, it besides gained Caesar the favor of the Equites.
The exchequer was seen as highly of import by Caesar. He replenished it after the Civil War to 175 denarii, through war loot, gifts from vassal male monarchs and testimonial from suppressed Rebel provinces. In 46BC when no Quaestors were elected, he appointed his prefects as financial officers. His likely purpose was to cut down the public call over his raiding of the exchequer in 49BC. This action would hold tainted his respectibility and dignitas ( self-respect ) , which he extremely valued.
Several reforms were besides aimed at economic stableness. He made certain that tierce of all workers on big estates were freewomans. The recipiants of the cord dole were reduced from 320 000 to 150 000. Laws were enacted to protect creditors whilst at the same time alleviating debts. Harbour revenue enhancements were besides reintroduced for foreign merchandiser vass. All these factors combined to supply a stable economic system which encouraged growing and decreased unemployment. The excess maize could besides be diverted to the new settlements to assist them acquire established.
There were some reforms which can be viewed as entirely to continue Caesar & # 8217 ; s name indefinitely. He employed military personnels on road-building and trench-digging undertakings. The Pontine fens ( South of Rome ) were drained for the extensions to the Julian forum. A gold coin was circulated with an feeling of Caesar & # 8217 ; s caput & # 8211 ; an unprecedented action in Roman history. Besides, his name as a month on the Calendar has survived for about 2 millenia after his decease.
