Was Julius accurate?

Question

I know few people are 100 % accurate, nor are they altruistic, but I heard somewhere that Julius Caesar was pretty accurate, either in his official reports or personal accounts.

Was he perhaps surprisingly correct, or was he very much a propagandist?

Answer 1

Julius Caesar wrote reports of his encounters in Gaul and also sent notices back to Rome with regard to his activities and military gains. Yes he was accurate in his accounts. He had to be as other soldiers would also write back to their families and allies in the capital. At the same time though Caesar was a great propagandist and had a huge ego. His reports back to Rome weren't simply to keep the public informed. He wanted to be remembered while he was away and it was necessary for his future physical safety and political plans that he was seen to be doing deeds which benefitted Rome and its people. It was also important that he continued to invade other countries and prosper from their wealth as he had left Rome with a huge string of debts and an army who depended on his funding.

Answer 2

He was fairly accurate in his reporting of the Gallic Wars, but remember that these books were designed to be read by the Senate back home in Rome, so they were slanted to show what a good chap he was. So to that extent theywere propaganda, or 'spun' as we would say today. But, after all, he did win the wars and add a large chunk of Europe to the Roman Empire.

Answer 3

Propagandist.