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Gaius Julius Caesar was born 3 days before the Ides of July or July 13 in (probably) 100 B.C. (possibly 102). His father's family was from the patrician gens of the Julii which traced its lineage to the first king of Rome, Romulus, and the goddess Venus. His parents were Gaius Caesar and Aurelia, daughter of Lucius Aurelius Cotta. Caesar was related by marriage to Marius who supported the populares and opposed Sulla who supported the optimates.
Caesar went to Rhodes to study oratory, but on his way he was captured by pirates whom he charmed and seemingly befriended. After he was freed, he had the pirates executed.
Caesar entered the course of advancement (cursus honorum) in the Roman political system as quaestor in 68 or 69 B.C.
Caesar himself was guilty of many extra-marital affairs, -- with Cleopatra, among others. One of the most significant relations was with Servilia Caepionis, the half-sister of Cato the Younger. Because of this relationship, it was thought possible that Brutus was Caesar's son.
Caesar was taunted all his life with charges of having been the lover of King Nicomedes of Bithynia.
Caesar married Cornelia, a daughter of Marius' associate, Lucius Cornelius Cinna, then a relative of Pompey named Pompeia, and finally, Calpurnia.
Caesar engineered a three-way division of power with enemies Crassus and Pompey that was known as the Triumvirate.
Second-year Latin students are familiar with the military side of Caesar's life. As well as conquering the Gallic tribes, he wrote about the Gallic Wars in clear, elegant prose. It was through his campaigns that he was finally able to work his way out of debt, although the third member of the triumvirate, Crassus, also helped.
Caesar refused to obey the command of the Senate, but instead led his troops across the Rubicon river, which started civil war.
In 44 B.C. conspirators claiming they feared Caesar was aiming to become king assassinated Caesar on the Ides of March.
Although Caesar had a living son, Caesarion, he was an Egyptian, the son of Queen Cleopatra, so Caesar adopted a great nephew, Octavian, in his will. Octavian was to become the first Roman emperor, Augustus.
- Overview
- Important Facts
- Timeline
- Study Guide
- Terms
