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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 doesnt believe that Caesar will amount to much
in his lifetime. He believes that Caesar would rather live a luxurious and relaxed life.
Although Caesar didnt 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 doesnt
have any money. So he thinks less of Caesar when Milo tells him about a huge loan from
Crassus to Caesar because he couldnt 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
"Caesars 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 Caesars 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 doesnt 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.
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