# Commentarii de Bello Civili

> discussion of the Roman civil war by Julius Caesar

**Wikidata**: [Q544948](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q544948)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commentarii_de_Bello_Civili)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/commentarii-de-bello-civili

## Summary  
**Commentarii de Bello Civili** is Julius Caesar’s first‑person account of the Roman civil war. Written as a literary work, it functions as a chronicle and belongs to the non‑fiction literature genre, offering a direct discussion of the conflict from Caesar’s perspective.

## Key Facts  
- **Author:** Julius Caesar, the Roman general and dictator.  
- **Subject:** The Roman civil war, presented as a discussion by Caesar.  
- **Genre:** Literary work; also classified as a chronicle and non‑fiction literature.  
- **Aliases:** De Bello Civile, Commentarii de Bello Civili, De Bello Civili, Commentarii de bello civili, Civil War Commentaries, Caes. Civ.  
- **Wikipedia title:** *Commentarii de Bello Civili*.  
- **Wikidata description:** “discussion of the Roman civil war by Julius Caesar.”  
- **Sitelink count:** 34 links to language‑specific Wikipedia pages.  
- **Related class – literary work:** a written work read for enjoyment or edification (20 sitelinks).  
- **Related class – chronicle:** a historical account arranged chronologically (66 sitelinks).  
- **Related class – non‑fiction literature:** a literary genre (28 sitelinks).  
- **Preceded by:** *Commentarii de Bello Gallico* (Caesar’s commentary on the Gallic wars; 60 sitelinks).  
- **Succeeded by:** *De Bello Alexandrino* (a book in the Corpus Caesarianum; 19 sitelinks, listed twice).  
- **Julius Caesar’s profile:** Roman general and dictator with occupations including military commander, author, politician, reformer, and more (280 sitelinks).  

## FAQs  

**What is *Commentarii de Bello Civili*?**  
It is Julius Caesar’s written discussion of the Roman civil war, composed as a first‑person narrative.

**Who authored the work?**  
The commentary was authored by Julius Caesar, the famed Roman general and later dictator.

**Which literary categories does the text belong to?**  
The piece is simultaneously a literary work, a chronicle, and an example of non‑fiction literature.

**How does this work relate to Caesar’s other writings?**  
It follows his *Commentarii de Bello Gallico* on the Gallic wars and precedes *De Bello Alexandrino*, another component of the Corpus Caesarianum.

**What alternative titles might I encounter for this text?**  
You may see it listed as *De Bello Civile*, *Commentarii de Bello Civili*, *De Bello Civili*, *Commentarii de bello civili*, *Civil War Commentaries*, or abbreviated as *Caes. Civ.*.

**Why is Julius Caesar’s occupation relevant to this work?**  
Caesar’s roles as military commander, politician, and author shape the perspective and purpose of the commentary, providing a unique insider view of the conflict.

## Why It Matters  
*Commentarii de Bello Civili* serves as a primary source for historians studying the Roman civil war, delivering an insider’s strategic and political analysis. Its blend of literary craftsmanship and factual reporting set a precedent for later historical memoirs, influencing both classical scholarship and modern narrative history. By presenting the war through Caesar’s own voice, the work also illuminates the self‑portrayal tactics of a leader who reshaped the Roman Republic, making it indispensable for understanding the era’s power dynamics.

## Notable For  
- First‑person narrative of the Roman civil war authored by a central participant.  
- Part of the Corpus Caesarianum, linking it directly to Caesar’s broader literary output.  
- Simultaneous classification as a literary work, chronicle, and non‑fiction literature.  
- Direct chronological predecessor to *De Bello Alexandrino* and successor to *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*.  
- Recognized under multiple aliases across scholarly and popular references.  

## Body  

### Overview  
*Commentarii de Bello Civili* is a written discussion of the Roman civil war, authored by Julius Caesar. The text functions as a historical chronicle, arranging events in sequential order while also serving as a piece of literary and non‑fiction writing.

### Authorship  
Julius Caesar (Roman general, dictator, military commander, author, politician, reformer, and more) composed the commentary. His extensive occupational list—captured in his Wikidata profile—underscores the multifaceted perspective he brings to the narrative.

### Genre and Classification  
- **Literary work:** Intended for both enjoyment and edification, aligning with the 20‑sitelink class of written works.  
- **Chronicle:** Provides a chronological account of civil‑war events, matching the 66‑sitelink definition of a historical record.  
- **Non‑fiction literature:** Falls within the 28‑sitelink literary genre that presents factual content.

### Historical Context  
The commentary details the internal conflict that erupted after Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon, offering strategic insights and political commentary. As a contemporary account, it complements archaeological evidence and later historiography.

### Relationship to Other Caesar Works  
- **Preceded by *Commentarii de Bello Gallico*:** Caesar’s earlier commentary on the Gallic wars, linked by 60 sitelinks.  
- **Succeeded by *De Bello Alexandrino*:** A subsequent work in the Corpus Caesarianum, referenced twice with 19 sitelinks each, covering Caesar’s later campaigns.

### Publication and Reception  
The work is catalogued under the Wikipedia title *Commentarii de Bello Civili* and carries a Wikidata description emphasizing its focus on the civil war. Its 34 sitelinks indicate broad multilingual availability.

### Aliases and Identifiers  
The text is known by several alternative titles, including *De Bello Civile*, *Commentarii de Bello Civili*, *De Bello Civili*, *Commentarii de bello civili*, *Civil War Commentaries*, and the abbreviation *Caes. Civ.*. These variants appear across academic citations and library catalogs.

### Related Entities  
- **Literary work (class):** The broader category of written works for pleasure or instruction, with 20 sitelinks.  
- **Chronicle (class):** Historical accounts organized chronologically, with 66 sitelinks.  
- **Non‑fiction literature (class):** The genre encompassing factual narratives, with 28 sitelinks.  
- **Julius Caesar (person):** The author, whose profile lists 280 sitelinks and numerous occupations, reinforcing his authority on the subject.

### Significance in Scholarship  
Scholars rely on *Commentarii de Bello Civili* for direct insight into Caesar’s tactics, rhetoric, and self‑justification. Its dual nature as both a political document and a literary composition makes it a cornerstone for studies in classical literature, Roman history, and the evolution of autobiographical war reporting.

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*All information presented derives exclusively from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/abbrevhelp)