"The Stolen Eagle"

            This clip is from the first episode of the HBO series Rome. The following scene is set in 52 B.C., the day after the Seige of Alesia denoting the end of Caesar's eight-year-long Gallic Wars which brought him further wealth and popularity. The king of the Gauls, Vercingetorix is brought before Julius Ceasar, stripped of his clothes and forced to kiss the the Aquila of the 13th Legion. The Aquila being the eagle standard of the Roman Legion. This act signifies the end of the Gallic Wars.

            Caesar himself represents the pinnacle of Roman greed and conquest. While a consul (around 59 BC), Caesar was granted significant military command due to legislation proposed and passed by Publius Vatinius. Going against tradition, Caesar became the proconsul of Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum for 5 years with three (later ten) legions under his command. Pompey the Great then added Transalpine Gaul to Caesar's command. As a proconsul for 5 years then 10 years, Caesar was immune and could not be touched by Roman courts. Consequently though, much was expected of Caesar considering his exceptional command. Caesar eventually decides to execute this power by conquering the Gauls, a conquest that saw both women and children murdered and millions sold into slavery. As a result, Caesar ammassed great wealth and was provided with enough legions to give him a position of "absolute power". His conquest of Gaul became recognized as his greatest achievement and today many celebrate him as "the founder of Europe".

              Rome is easily identified as an imperialistic state, but it was not always so. Rome was the result of a transformation from a small village along the Tibur into a historic world power. Much of this is due to Roman imperialism which was at the heart of Roman ideology. However, imperialism is "never a simple or straightforward matter". Military requirements formed the basis of Roman organization. Command of troops and the right to give orders to civilians was granted to magistrates, consuls, and praetors. In latin, power is imperium from which imperial and imperialism are derived.

(2008). Conquests and Glories, Triumphs and Spoils: Caesar and the Edeology of Roman Imperialism. In W. J. Tatum, Always I Am Caesar (pp. 42-60). Wiley-Blackwell.