The Sacrilege: Caesar A Political Mastermind Essay, Research Paper

The Sacrilege: Caesar A Political Mastermind

Throughout the book “The Sacrilege,” Caesar evolved from a political

nothing, to a political mastermind. It is easy to see his progress through the

eyes of a character by the name of Decius. He helps use to realize that Caesar

wanted three main things in this scheme. He desired money, some military men,

and finally a consulship. To get what he wanted, Caesar had to be smart,

powerful, and a little sneaky. Decius changes his views on how he views Caesar

through a series of events throughout the story. Decius gains respect for

Caesar and so does every else who has seen Caesar in action.

At first, Decius doesn’t believe that Caesar will amount to much in his

lifetime. He believes that Caesar would rather live a luxurious and relaxed

life. Although Caesar didn’t think so. Burra, who thought that Caesar would be

brilliant if he enlisted and controlled a legion, was exactly correct. Caesar,

as history as shown, is a brilliant leader. Caesar believed that by leading you

must not just make a plan, you must carry it out with his own manpower. He was

always on his horse leading his pack through the bloodshed, not like many other

leaders.

When Decius was talking to Milo towards the beginning of the story he

says that Caesar is known for being “reckless.” He recounts the story of the

pirates that captured him. Also in that conversation, Decius puts down Caesar

because he says that Caesar has no money and that even as Pontifex Maximus, he

still doesn’t have any money. So he thinks less of Caesar when Milo tells him

about a huge loan from Crassus to Caesar because he couldn’t pay off his debts.

Decius starts to gain respect for Caesar when he makes the announcement,

as Pontifex Maximus, to label the “heinous” crime a “sacrilege.” Caesar walks

so seriously and confidently people “lose their stony faces” when Caesar arrives.

Although when Caesar makes the remark of “Caesar’s wife must be above

suspicion,” Decius is the first person to burst out laughing. He loses some of

the respect for Caesar that he will later notice.

Then Decius comes to a point where is gains full respect for Caesar.

When Clodius is chasing him down, and they end up fighting each other in hand to

hand combat, Caesar breaks in. At that point Decius says that he realizes how

Caesar is able the manipulate people and break up crowds like “the parting of

the sea.” Caesar holds a very powerful position, Pontifex Maximus, which means

that no blood can shed before his eyes. So when Clodius and Decius stop to

listen to Caesar’s little speech, Decius is amazed at the seriousness, integrity,

and powerful Caesar.

Finally, Decius realizes that Caesar is a very bright man when he asks

for the evidence. Caesar doesn’t know what it is, but he knows there is

something that has caused all this commotion, so he asks for it.

So through a series of events, some maybe not mentioned, Decius gains

respect for Caesar. He realizes that Caesar holds a powerful position, is very

intelligent, and can command a legion with great success. Decius underestimated

Caesar at the beginning of this story, but now understands well the power of

Caius Julius Caesar.