Frediani, Andrea Caesars Schatten. Band 1: Der Freund

Early on, it became clear that the young Gaius Julius Caesar felt destined for greater things. The ambitious youth found a loyal companion in Titus Labienus, a boy from a poor neighborhood in Rome, who was almost the same age. Years later, when Caesar set out to conquer Gaul, Titus Labienus developed into a brilliant strategist at his side. Together, they were invincible. Soon, Caesar's legions revered both generals equally. But with their success, the number of Caesar's enemies grew, sowing discord and warning Labienus of his friend's lust for power. How would Labienus decide? And could Caesar tolerate a second emperor beside him? The subjugation of Gaulall of Gaul!marked the first major step in Caesar's rise to become the sole dictator of Rome. Many historians believe that this rise was only possible because of his extraordinary close relationship with his legate, Titus Labienus. The rift between the two generals is one of the great mysteries of Caesar's lifeand the backdrop for the extensive trilogy "Caesar's Shadow," the first volume of which is presented here. With his victory over the young Arvernian chieftain Vercingetorix at Alesia (52 BC), Caesarafter numerous battles, skillful negotiations, and cunning intriguesachieved the final subjugation of the Gallic tribes. The Gallic Wars (5850 BC) brought Caesar the long-desired recognition as a great Roman general, on par with Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, Rome's other great military strategist. But Caesar wanted more than military glory. He wanted Rome's renewal, against the resistance of the Senate. In this first volume of the trilogy, Andrea Frediani describes Caesar's rise as a Roman general and his close relationship with his legate, Titus Labienus. Much of our current knowledge about the Gallic Wars is based on the Commentarii de bello Gallico written by Caesar himself and by Aulus Hirtius. However, these texts do not explain how the rift between Caesar and Labienus came about.