A. Koval, Ph.D. in History
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2017.134.3.05
“NON EXPETERE PACEM”: POMPEY’S AND CAESAR’S MOTIVES FOR A CIVIL WAR
The article is dedicated to the political relationships of Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar shortly before the Civil war. Pompey’s legislation of 52 BC and its impact on Caesar’s political and social position is revised. Caesar’s attempts to prolong his command or to obtain a new consulship are analyzed in the article, as same as Pompey’s backing of Caesar’s efforts. The correctness of the theory of the ratio absentis is supposed. According to this theory, Caesar was in fear of the unavoidable prosecution, that’s why he refused to return to the city as a civilian. In the same time, Caesar’s efforts created a danger to the political system of the Roman republic, which had been established by Pompey’s legislation of 52 BC. Caesar started to prepare for a war from the second half of 50 BC – and at the same time he was demanding to dissolve Pompey’s troops. Because of his dignitas, Caesar couldn’t allow himself became an object of prosecution. The same reason obliged Pompey to refuse Caesar’s demands. As a conclusion it must be emphasized, that in the middle of the 1st century BC the Roman republic became a hostage of two nobles, whose political ambitions and aristocratic ethos caused a Civil war.
Keywords: Pompey the Great, Julius Caesar, Roman republic, Civil war, dignitas.
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