Strebte Caesar nach dem K nigtum? – Die Bedeutung der corona aurea

Did Julius Caesar aspire to kinghsip at the time he was in power? The seminar-paper of Christian W lfelschneiders approaches this question. On the basis of contradictory sources and several ancient authors which maintain different points of view there remains a very diffuse picture of the actual historical events. Initially the personal motivations of Ceaser cannot be cleared to a satisfying degree. Crucial clues for answering the question of Caesars aspiraton to kingship can be deduced from the corona aurea. The wearing of this old Etruskian crown device can be proven for the first time for the celebration of the feast of Lupercalia on the 15th of February in 44 b.C. On this day the mighty dictator appeared in public wearing a scarlet toga with golden shoes and the corona aurea and therefore caused a stir. After a detailled comparison of the different historical accounts a conclusion is drawn that the golden collar of Ceasar cannot be regarded as a kingly crown. The contemporary symbol for kingship was indeed a diadem of hellenistic design which Ceasar, in turn, refused to wear. Another argument is the rejection of the title rex. Therefore, Julius Caesar did not aspire to kingship. His king-like position in the Roman Empire did not need a furhter symbolical justification.