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- Julius Caesar Collection -
The Triumph of Julius Caesar
The context: Julius Caesar was about to celebrate a quadruple triumph:
First, with his conquest of Gaul, completed in 51 BC and celebrated in 46 BC.
Then, with the annexation of Numidia, a Berber kingdom encompassing Algeria and small parts of Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Furthermore, his victory in Egypt allowed Cleopatra to remain in power and enjoy Rome's protection.
And finally, his victory over King Pharnaces II, ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus, an ancient kingdom on the southern coast of the Black Sea in Asia, consolidated the eastern Roman Empire.
Indirectly, it was also a victory by ending the Second Roman Civil War with the defeat of the Proconsul Pompey and his supporters.
- Summer 46 BC -
ROME, a day of celebration and glory for Caesar
The Roman people wait along the streets of ROME to witness Caesar's triumph.
He will make an Adventus (the General's entry into ROME) through one of the city gates and will be acclaimed by the Roman people who have come to celebrate his glory.
The first soldiers of Caesar's legions enter.
A victorious general had to lead his army back to ROME.
This meant that the war was over, the enemy defeated, and ROME safe.
In principle, one could not celebrate a victory won against other Romans.
But Julius Caesar's triumph was not without a double meaning.
Indeed, his victory against external enemies was officially celebrated there, his triumph marking the end of the Roman Civil War, which he had won against Pompey and his supporters.
A cart filled with provisions enters in turn.
Food is thrown to the people waiting along the avenues of Rome.
Then comes the arrival of the spoils…
Weapons confiscated from the defeated chieftains of the various conquered lands.
Some of these weapons are highly symbolic, representing the authority of a chieftain or a tribe.
Axes were also symbolic weapons and could represent the law.
As were the shields of the chiefs…
In Gaul, Gallic chieftains mounted this type of shield to command their tribe when giving speeches or orders.
Then come the riches brought back from the various conquered countries…
Caesar’s are enormous.
Gold can be seen,
as well as objects and representations of divination, also in gold,
The sale of the spoils brought in more than 600 million sesterces, and the money was distributed liberally: the 75 denarii that Caesar had promised were given to every citizen, with an additional 25 denarii to compensate for the delay.
The legionaries each received 24,000 sesterces, and plots of land. Rents of less than 1,000 sesterces in Rome and less than 500 sesterces in Italy were abolished.
Next came the defeated leaders.
We can see the leaders of the Gallic Rebellion,
Other important prisoners from other conquered countries also enter,
including Cleopatra's sister, Arsinoe, who had helped her younger brother, Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII, to escape and then attempt to kill Cleopatra.
When suddenly the sound of trumpets resounds
It is the entrance of the Aquila, the emblems of the Roman Legions…
It is the most important and respected symbol of the Legion. Its loss is felt as a dishonor. For those who steal it, it is celebrated as a great event…
This emblem normally never leaves the garrison and is carried during Roman marches (AGMEN) and precedes the march.
However, the AQUILA could be taken into battle: protecting it was an additional motivation in the fighting spirit of the Roman legionaries.
And then comes Caesar's Quadriga drawn by four thoroughbred horses.
Julius Caesar enters ROME:
This is his ADVENTUS!!!
The people of ROME acclaim him…
Behind the chariot, hampered by a chain, Vercingetorix, the leader of the rebellious Gauls who had surrendered at Alesia, follows it…
This is Caesar's moment of ultimate glory. He drags his greatest adversary behind him…
He is the victorious General: the IMPERATOR
His power is ultimate…
Behind his chariot follows his faithful steed, which has accompanied him in every battle.
Then it is the turn of Julius Caesar's Generals to enter…
Caesar heads towards the Triumphal Arch, which was built especially for him.
The Aquila of Caesar's legions pass under the Arch…
Then it is Julius Caesar's turn to pass under this Triumphal Arch.
He passes in the shadow of this Triumphal Arch.
To be in the light again…
Caesar's personal guard is vigilant…
They repel the matrons who want to touch Caesar, but also protect Caesar from an assassin who would kill him during this moment of glory…
Then come the Generals who pass under this Triumphal Arch, where Julius Caesar's victories are engraved.
They too pass from the shadows into the light of glory…
Then, all together, they take the "Via Sacra".
Julius Caesar and his generals are about to enter the "Forum".
Discover the rest of this triumph soon,
with their arrival at the "Forum",
an iconic location in Rome…
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