However, after receiving some reinforcements he inflicted a decisive defeat on his enemies, at the battle of Thapsus and this led to the suicide of many prominent senators including Cato the Younger. Although he was forced into a difficult decision, was he justified in crossing the Rubicon, a military decision with potentially an enormous political impact?
The men who killed him were a mixture of both his longest serving deputies and his former enemies, as examples Trebonius and Cassius respectively. Although in 49BC he had only one legion, his customary tactic of speed and surprise proved all that was required to take Rome.
First, there are a number of examples pertaining to his decision-making without compromising personal integrity, in his favour he was the champion of the people, his legislation was central to their progression. The remaining senators and Pompeiians regrouped in Spain and once more assembled a large army.
Caesar took what he perceived to be rightfully his, as arguably the first man of Rome it would be unreasonable for him not to receive respect at the very least. Caesar was certainly a man capable of individual excellence in all these areas. Caesar was eventually pushed to the limit, and had his armies cross the Rubicon River the Roman boarder.
Politically he was not capable of challenging his opponents. Modern statue of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar is widely regarded as one of the greatest commanders of all time.