Julius Caesar Details
Julius Caesar Basics
Gaius Julius Caesar was born on July 13, 100 B.C and was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C. He was a statesman, general, and writer, considered by some to have been the greatest man of all time.
Having been the nephew and companion of 7-time consul and army reformer Gaius Marius, Caesar shared his uncle's political sentiments. This put him at odds with the conservative faction of the aristocracy (Optimates).
Caesar defied the murderous dictator Sulla successfully, was captured by pirates whom he crucified after his release, waged war against those people of Gaul (modern France and Belgium) who didn't side willingly with the Romans, and wrote about it in his third person account known as the Commentaries on Caesar's Gallic Wars.With Crassus and Pompey, Caesar formed the first Triumvirate. However, when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, he faced Pompey as an enemy. Crossing the Rubicon also made him a traitor to Rome. After defeating the senatorial forces led by Pompey, Caesar became the leader of Rome, soon taking the title of dictator. He was awarded divine posthumous honors, titles, statues, the status of dictator for life (dictator perpetuo).
Caesar wrote about military accomplishments in the third person. His Gallic Wars is a popular text for second-year Latin students.
