What were the major sources of opposition to Julius Caesar's rule?

There were several major sources of opposition to Julius Caesar's rule during his time as the Roman dictator. These sources can be categorized into three main groups: the aristocracy, the Senate, and the Republican traditionalists.

1. Aristocracy: Many members of the Roman aristocracy, particularly the patricians, opposed Caesar's rule due to concerns over their own power and privileges. They feared that Caesar's consolidation of power would diminish their influence and undermine the traditional oligarchic system of government. Additionally, some aristocrats resented Caesar's rise to power, as they believed he had bypassed the established political hierarchy.

2. Senate: The Senate, which was the governing body of Rome, also posed significant opposition to Caesar. While Caesar maintained a façade of working with the Senate, he often disregarded its authority and made decisions unilaterally. This led to resentment among senators who felt their power and authority were being undermined. Furthermore, Caesar's reforms, such as granting citizenship to non-Romans and increasing the number of senators, were seen as threats to the traditional senatorial class.

3. Republican Traditionalists: A significant portion of the Roman population, particularly those who valued the traditional Republican system, opposed Caesar's rule. They believed in the importance of checks and balances, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. Caesar's consolidation of power and his disregard for Republican norms were seen as a threat to the stability and integrity of the Roman Republic.

In addition to these three main sources of opposition, there were also individuals and factions who opposed Caesar for personal or political reasons. These included rival politicians, military leaders, and supporters of Pompey, whom Caesar defeated in the civil war. Overall, the opposition to Julius Caesar's rule stemmed from concerns over the concentration of power, erosion of traditional institutions, and the fear of losing individual and collective liberties.