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Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar one of the most influential men in world history. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Caesar was said to be Born on July 13, 100 BC. He was a member of the deeply patrician Jul ii family with roots dating to the foundation of the city itself. He later claimed to be direct descendant of Aenaes, son of Venus, so that meant that Julius was related to the gods himself. He was raised in the common quarters of Rome among the lower class citizens. His home was that of a apartment building like in the modern world.It was known as an insula. Even for a patrician family in poor financial situations this is a definite handicap for future political ambition. However, the young Caesar learned a great deal from his experiences as a child, as he early on realized the power in championing the common man. It wouldn't take a genius to understand that several politicians in this era made a name from themselves using this method, and Caesar certainly caught on to this easily. He had, though, the added advantage of his patrician heritage along with a sort of political genius that would push him to the very limit of Roman power.

Caesar's Life

Caesar was on a staff of a military legate, he was awarded the civic crown oak leaves for saving the life of a citizen in battle. His general sent him on an embassy to Nicomedes, the king of Bithynia, to obtain a fleet of ships he was successful. When Sulla died in 78, Caesar returned to Rome and began a career as a orator/ lawyer throughout his life he was known as an eloquent speaker. He Formed an unofficial triumvirate with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus which dominated Roman politics for several years. His conquest of Gaul extended the Roman world all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, and he also conducted the first Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC; the collapse of the triumvirate, however, led to a stand-off with Pompey and the Senate. Leading his legions across the Rubicon, Caesar began a civil war in 49 BC from which he became the undisputed master of the Roman world. After assuming control of government, he began extensive reforms of Roman society and government. He was proclaimed dictator for life and heavily centralised the bureaucracy of the Republic. However, a group of senators, led by Caesar's former friend Marcus Junius Brutus, assassinated the dictator on the Ides of March in 44 BC, hoping to restore the normal running of the Republic of Rome.

Short story on Julius Caesar

While sailing to Greece for further study, Caesar was kidnaped by Cilician pirates and held for ransom. When informed that they intended to ask for 20 talents, he is supposed to have insisted that he was worth at least 50. He maintained a friendly, joking relationship with the pirates while the money was being raised, but warned them that he would track them down and have them crucified after he was released. He did just that, with the help of volunteers, as a warning to other pirates, but he first cut their throats to lessen their suffering because they had treated him well.