JOHN DRINKWATER -- Ph.D. – Professor at University of Nottingham

Dear Dr. Kolkey,
 
I think that you are absolutely correct.  We are all capable of believing that our personal interests coincide with those of the community, and politicians more than most.
 
You may find Celtic confirmation of this in Caesar's account of the activities of Orgetorix, Casticus and Dumnorix, which led (at least in part:  Caesar's own fierce ambition cannot be ignored) to the conquest of Gaul (Gallic War 1.2-4).  Note, too, a little later, the continued activities of Dumnorix (Gallic War 1.18-19).  Dumnorix, needless to say, came to a sticky end (Gallic War 5.6-7)!
 
I hope this helps.
 
With best wishes,

John Drinkwater

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ADRIAN GOLDSWORTHY --  Ph.D. Oxford University – Author of Books on Greco-Roman Warfare

Dear Jonathan Kolkey,
 
There are certainly cases where the magistrates picked a fight for their own reasons.  Caesar's Commentaries always try to present each campaign as good for the Republic.  By Roman standards they probably were, but it is also clear that he was determined to fight any war that came his way - his initial province and the disposition of his troops rather suggest that he expected the main effort to be towards the Danube.  Then the Helvetii turned up and gave him an oppostunity he could not resist.
 
Are you considering civil wars?  Several of these - most especially the one after Caesar's death - show a marked reluctance of the majority of the Senate to go to war, and yet it happens anyway.
 
As I think I said in an earlier mail, this really is a huge question.  Will let you know if I have any more specific thoughts.
 
Yours,

Adrian Goldsworthy

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STEPHEN OAKLEY -- Ph.D. – Professor Cambridge University

Dear Dr Kolkey,

That many Roman republican wars were started aggressively (or ended) for the personal gain of Roman magistrates is a commonplace of scholarship. The most notorious is Caesar's Gallic War. The same is true in the empire: note, e.g. Claudius' invasion of Britain....

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Oakley

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