'The History of Rome' - Book Five (1856) by Theodor Mommsen [Part 1 of 2]

Theodor Mommsen’s monumental, 'The History of Rome' - Book Five - 'The Establishment of the Military Monarchy', marks the concluding volume of the original series. In this final installment, Mommsen brings his sweeping narrative of the Roman Republic to a close—not with the fall of the Empire, but with the rise of Julius Caesar and the definitive end of the Republican system. This volume is notable both for its historical analysis and for Mommsen’s provocative political judgments, which continue to provoke debate to this day.

Book Five primarily covers the final decades of the Republic, culminating in Caesar’s dictatorship and assassination. However, unlike most modern historians, Mommsen does not treat Caesar's death as the end of the story but rather the beginning of Rome's rebirth as an empire under centralized leadership. Indeed, Caesar is the unambiguous hero of Mommsen’s work—presented not merely as a military genius, but as a visionary reformer who attempted to modernize a deeply flawed and increasingly oligarchic system.

Mommsen’s admiration for Caesar is unmistakable, and Book Five reads at times as a defense of enlightened autocracy. He portrays Caesar's dictatorship as a rational, even necessary corrective to the political paralysis and corruption of the late Republic. The Senate, once the guiding force of Roman governance, is shown here as an increasingly reactionary institution—more interested in preserving aristocratic privilege than in effective administration.

What makes this volume especially striking is its moral clarity and literary vigor. Mommsen does not hide behind academic neutrality. He believes that the collapse of the Republic was a result of its failure to adapt, and he sees Caesar as a man who could have created a more just and effective state. It is a bold thesis—one that drew both acclaim and criticism, especially from liberal contemporaries uncomfortable with its implications.

Though he never completed a sixth volume on the Roman Empire (despite intentions to do so), Book Five stands as a powerful, conclusive statement. It is not simply history—it is political philosophy in historical form, drawing clear lessons about governance, reform, and the role of great individuals in shaping the course of events.

Conclusion
The History of Rome – Book Five (1856) is a forceful, controversial, and eloquent conclusion to Theodor Mommsen’s magisterial series. Through Caesar’s rise, Mommsen offers a compelling argument about the collapse of outdated institutions and the necessity of bold leadership. While some may disagree with his political judgments, few can deny the enduring influence and literary strength of his vision. The work remains a cornerstone of classical historiography and a testament to the power of history to illuminate the present.