Video Description

🎬 Watch early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel Or become a member on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaBellumHistoryChannel/join to unlock early access to new videos. Music from our videos: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/ 🎧 Listen to our podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2OdtsiTkoss7a7O090YsPz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/para-bellum-history/id1837784993 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/85df1ed1-c405-4568-b0c2-dba307fe4996/para-bellum-history Julius Caesar Crosses the Rubicon – The Beginning of Rome’s Civil War In this detailed historical breakdown, we explore one of the most dramatic turning points in ancient Roman history: Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BC and the rapid military campaign that followed. For nine years, Caesar had been conquering Gaul, gaining wealth, fame, and popularity among the Roman people. But back in Rome, the Senate—dominated by his political enemies, the Optimates—was determined to bring him down. Ordered to give up his command and return to Rome as a private citizen, Caesar faced a choice: surrender and face trial… or march on Rome. This is the full story of why Caesar crossed the Rubicon, how he did it, and what happened next. 🎬 What You'll Learn in This Video: The political tensions between Caesar, the Senate, and Pompey the Great * How Caesar attempted to negotiate peace and avoid war * The symbolism and significance of the Rubicon crossing * The meaning behind the phrase “The die is cast” * Caesar’s brilliant use of surprise, speed, and strategy * The rapid and mostly bloodless capture of key cities like Ariminum, Iguvium, Auximum, and Corfinium * The siege of Corfinium and Caesar’s unexpected clemency toward his enemies * Pompey’s retreat to the East and the failed Roman efforts to stop Caesar at Brundisium * How Caesar’s actions changed the course of Roman history and paved the way for the fall of the Republic 🏛️ Key Characters: * Gaius Julius Caesar – Roman general and statesman, leading the Populares * Pompey the Great – Caesar’s former ally turned rival, siding with the Optimates * Roman Senate – Opposed Caesar’s growing power, aligned with the conservative elite * Mark Antony, Curio, and other commanders – Loyal to Caesar during his bold advance 📍 Locations Featured: * Ravenna – Where Caesar began his march * Rubicon River – The fateful crossing into Italy * Ariminum, Corfinium, Brundisium – Key Roman cities during Caesar’s campaign 🔍 Top Search Topics Covered: why did Caesar cross the Rubicon, Caesar vs Pompey civil war summary, how did Julius Caesar start the Roman Civil War, events leading to Caesar's march on Rome, Caesar's Italian campaign 49 BC timeline, Julius Caesar Rubicon crossing meaning, what happened at Corfinium during Caesar’s civil war, why did Pompey flee Rome, Caesar’s military tactics during civil war, Rubicon river historical significance, how Caesar took cities without resistance, Caesar and Pompey rivalry explained, Roman civil war Caesar timeline, Caesar's strategy in Italy 49 BC, Caesar's siege of Corfinium, Caesar crossing the Rubicon explained, Caesar’s political conflict with the Senate 📖 Bibliography 1. Appian. Roman History, Book II: The Civil Wars. Translated by Horace White. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1913. 2. Caesar, Gaius Julius. Commentarii de Bello Civili (Commentaries on the Civil War). Translated by Jane F. Gardner. Penguin Classics, 1976. 3. Dio Cassius. Roman History, Books 41–42. Translated by Earnest Cary. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1914. 4. Gelzer, Matthias. Caesar: Politician and Statesman. Translated by Peter Needham. Harvard University Press, 1968. 5. Goldsworthy, Adrian. Caesar: Life of a Colossus. Yale University Press, 2006. 6. Holland, Tom. Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic. Doubleday, 2003. 7. Meier, Christian. Caesar: A Biography. Translated by David McLintock. Basic Books, 1995. 8. Plutarch. Parallel Lives: The Life of Julius Caesar and The Life of Pompey. Translated by John Dryden and revised by Arthur Hugh Clough. Modern Library, 2001. 9. Suetonius, Gaius. The Twelve Caesars. Translated by Robert Graves. Revised by James B. Rives. Penguin Classics, 2007. 🎤 ⁠Voiceover by: Nick Banas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas