Julius Caesar’s political ambitions were succeeded through his military talent. Caesar is, by common consent, “…one of the world’s greatest soldiers…”1 He exploited this to further his political career in a direction that had yet to be seen by an ambitious Roman. Caesar instigated the abolishment of the Roman republic; a system that had served Rome for 482 years. Through his strategic manipulation of his greatest resource, his army, he was the first to achieve what others before him could not: the lifetime title of dictator over the entire republic of Rome, of which he accomplished in 44 BC. For Caesar, “…his term of command in Gaul was the turningpoint of his career.”2 He played to his strengths masterfully; forming an impressive reputation through his skilful and crushing victories over the Gauls, and at the same time strengthening his army. Caesar also appropriated an enormous amount of war booty which he exploited for significant political benefit. Yet, despite Caesar’s use of the military furthering his career, it also concurrently hindered it. As, with the escalation of Caesar’s power, there was a strengthening opposition from the threatened optimates. Caesar’s eight years in Gaul Campania were invaluable to his career, however, they also triggered the looming fatality of his future. Caesar’s fervour and foresight in using the triumvirate to obtain Gaul as his proconsul governorship was the move that would deliver the empire to him. It allowed for the establishment and enhancement of his dignitas. During his military campaign in Gaul (58 – 50 BC) Caesar revealed himself to be one of the greatest military commanders in Roman history. According to Plutarch, Caesar’s legions fought against 3 million men in the course of the Gallic Wars, with 1 million becoming enslaved. He also wrote that 800 cities were destroyed and 300 were subjugated.