Caesar (Xena)
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Caesar is a fictional character from the television series Xena: Warrior Princess. The character was portrayed by New Zealand actor Karl Urban.
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[edit] Character history
[edit] Caesar meets Xena
Caesar is first introduced as a young Roman patrician.[1] He is portrayed as being very arrogant, so much so that when he is captured by Xena and her pirates he is not afraid. When he is threatened by Xena he tells her, "I know what I'm fated to do with my life".[2] He allows Xena to seduce him, when in reality she is the one being seduced. This ultimately leads to her capture and crucifixion at the hands of Caesar.[2] It is this betrayal by Caesar which contributes to Xena becoming an evil warlord with a hunger for violence.
[edit] Caesar and Boadicea
Later Caesar becomes the most powerful man in the entire Roman Republic. Caesar's might within the Empire is such that he is able to command an army to invade Britannia.[3] It is in Britannia that Xena helps Boadicea defeat Caesar.[3] He teams up with Crassus and Pompey to form the first Triumvirate.[4] Even though he is beaten every time he comes up against Xena, he still does not think that she is a real threat to his destiny, still firmly believing in his own fate.
[edit] The end of the Triumvirate
When Caesar and Xena meet again, it is only at this point that she becomes more important in his life and his ultimate destiny. Xena kidnaps Crassus and uses him as a pawn in her fight against Caesar.[4] She substitutes Crassus for a prisoner, Vercinix, and Caesar is formed to have him killed.[4] Although Caesar still appears to hold a genuine attraction to Xena, any feelings she had for him died when she was left for dead on the cross.[2]
[edit] An even match
Caesar is shown to be the greatest general ever to have lived, and this balances Xena's own skill in being able to outfight him.[1] Whether in hand-to-hand combat or in military strategy, Xena always finds a way to beat Caesar. One such display of Xena's ability is when she battles both Caesar's and Pompey's armies and leaves them both slaughtered and causes a cease in their civil war for power in Rome.[5] Even though defeated he tells Xena, "This is only a minor setback, Xena. You can't change my destiny".
[edit] A bitter feud
The ongoing feud between Caesar and Pompey is an important element is the events of Caesar's life leading up to his death.[6] Both men's desire for power is so great it serves to show the petty side to Caesar's personality. He wants rid of Pompey as he sees him as a great threat to him fulfilling his destiny. He realizes that there is only enough room for one ruler in the Roman Empire, and he wants to be that ruler. The rivalry between the two statesmen is so great that they continue to fight each other as the woods blaze around them.[5]
[edit] Murder and betrayal
Although Caesar has always shown great leadership skills and Brutus follows him implicitly, telling Xena and Gabrielle that their vision of Caesar is "blinded by hatred". "He is the only hope to restore the democracy of the Republic".[7] Gabrielle, however does plant a seed of doubt in his mind and Xena gives him evidence about Caesar's self-centred plans.[7] When Caesar rejects the peace treaty with the Amazons, that Brutus thinks might benefit both parties. He teams up with other members and they plot to murder Caesar. Meanwhile Caesar kills Pompey.[7] Even after Caesar defeats Pompey and becomes the ruler of Rome, he still cannot beat Xena. In order to finally be rid of Xena, he enlists the help of a demonic Callisto.[6] With Xena finally out of the way, Caesar feels he can now claim Rome for himself. As he prepares to declare himself the ruler of all of Rome, Brutus and his allies turn on Caesar and murder him.[6]
[edit] Caesar, Emperor of Rome
When Caesar escapes from Tartarus, he captures the Fates and rewrites his fate and gets another chance to fulfil his destiny.[8] In the alternate universe, he is the Emperor of Rome and Xena is the Empress. Alti, in the new universe is the High Priestess of Rome. In this new life she realizes who she was in the other universe and uses that to increase her power over Caesar.[8] Once again his egotistical ways lead to his downfall. Alti now wants Caesar's power for herself. While being seduced by Alti, she retrieves a dagger she had concealed and stabs him,[8] revealing his true destiny is to be murdered.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Stoddard Hayes, K. (March 2003). "Characters - Caesar", Xena: Warrior Princess: The Complete Illustrated Companion (Paperback), Titan Books, 180-183. ISBN 1-84023-622-1.
- ^ a b c "Destiny". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1997-01-27.
- ^ a b "Deliverer". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1997-10-20.
- ^ a b c "When In Rome". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1998-03-02.
- ^ a b "A Good Day". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1998-10-26.
- ^ a b c "The Ides of March". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1999-05-10.
- ^ a b c "Endgame". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1999-05-03.
- ^ a b c "When Fates Collide". Xena: Warrior Princess. 2001-05-07.
