PublishedKnopf, February 2019 |
ISBN9780307455444 |
FormatSoftcover, 896 pages |
Dimensions23.5cm × 18.7cm |
Between 58 and 50 B.C., Caesar led his army to twice invade Britain and conquer most of the land that is now France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The Gallic Wars served two purposes- to offer a record of Caesar's travels and insights into his military strategies, and to present the Roman public with a portrait of Caesar as a compelling, effective leader--which would be a key part of his public image as he fought off his rivals for control of the empire.
Caesar chronicles his struggle to rule in The Civil Wars, from his crossing of the Rubicon in 49 B.C. through the death of his chief rival, Pompey, and the ongoing efforts of Pompey's heirs and followers to remove Caesar from power. As with the other volumes in the Landmark series, this edition--edited by Robert B. Strassler and Kurt A. Raaflaub--supplements the text with detailed maps, images, and annotations to place the work in historical and political context. And with stunning endpapers and color illustrations, this beautifully produced, large-format paperback makes a terrific gift for history buffs and fans of the classics.
The Landmark Julius Caesar is the definitive edition of the five works that chronicle the mil-itary campaigns of Julius Caesar. Together, these five narratives present a comprehensive picture of military and political developments leading to the collapse of the Roman republic and the advent of the Roman Empire.
The Gallic War is Caesar's own account of his two invasions of Britain and of conquering most of what is today France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The Civil War describes the conflict in the following year which, after the death of his chief rival, Pompey, and the defeat of Pompey's heirs and supporters, resulted in Caesar's emergence as the sole power in Rome. Accompanying Caesar's own commentaries are three short but essential additional works, known to us as the Alexandrian War, the African War, and the Spanish War. These were written by three unknown authors who were clearly eyewitnesses and probably Roman officers.
Caesar's clear and direct prose provides a riveting depiction of ancient warfare and, not incidentally, a persuasive portrait for the Roman people (and for us) of Caesar himself as a brilliant, moderate, and effec-tive leader-an image that was key to his final success.
Kurt A. Raaflaub's masterful translation skillfully brings out the clarity and elegance of Caesar's style, and this, together with such Landmark features as maps, detailed annotations, appendices, and illustrations, will provide every reader from lay person to scholar with a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
(With 2-color text, maps, and illustrations throughout; web essays available athttp-//www.thelandmarkcaesar.com/)
