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Julius Caesar

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Gaius Julius Caesar was one of the most famous people in history.

Portrait head of Julius Caesar (1st cent. A.D.) at the Archaeological Museum of Corinth on 10 January 2020
Portrait head of Julius Caesar (1st cent. A.D.) at the Archaeological Museum of Corinth on 10 January 2020

He was a Roman general, a writer, and a leader. He lived a long time ago, from 100 BC until 44 BC. Caesar was born into a noble family called the gens Julia. His family even claimed they were related to the goddess Venus. This meant they were seen as very important people in Rome. He grew up to become a powerful man who changed how Rome was run.

Caesar rose to power through smart moves and many battles.

Lionel Royer - Vercingetorix Throwing down His Weapons at the feet of Julius Caesar
Lionel Royer - Vercingetorix Throwing down His Weapons at the feet of Julius Caesar

In 60 BC, he joined an alliance called the First Triumvirate. This was a team of three men: Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. They worked together to control Roman politics for several years. Caesar then led his armies through the Gallic Wars until 51 BC. These wars helped Rome gain much more land. He even crossed the Rhine River and visited Britain during this time.

As Caesar became more successful, his old friends became his rivals.

(Venice) Pompey the Great, Museo Archeologico Nazionale
(Venice) Pompey the Great, Museo Archeologico Nazionale

His former partner, Pompey, joined with the Senate to oppose him. The Senate ordered Caesar to stop being a general and return to Rome. In early 49 BC, Caesar chose to defy them. He crossed a river called the Rubicon with his army. This act started a civil war between Caesar and the Senate. Caesar won this war and became the most powerful man in Rome.

Once he was in control, Caesar began to change many things.

Cesar Dictator Perpetuo denier Gallica 23528 avers
Cesar Dictator Perpetuo denier Gallica 23528 avers

He created the Julian calendar to help people track time better. He also gave citizenship to people living in Spain and northern Italy. In early 44 BC, he was named "dictator for life." This meant he had total control over the government. However, some senators were very afraid of his power. They worried he would try to become a king.

Because they feared him, a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius killed Caesar.

Jean-Léon Gérôme - The Death of Caesar - Walters 37884
Jean-Léon Gérôme - The Death of Caesar - Walters 37884

This happened on the Ides of March, which is March 15, 44 BC. His death led to more wars and the end of the Roman Republic. Later, his heir Octavian became the first emperor, known as Augustus. Caesar's name was so famous that it became a title for rulers. It even gave us modern words like Kaiser and Tsar.

Julius Caesar's crematorium
Julius Caesar's crematorium
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🖼️ Images & Media (43)
File:Roman republic, territory 44 BC labelled.svg
Roman republic, territory 44 BC labelled.svg
File:SPQRomani.svg
SPQRomani.svg
File:Europe (orthographic projection).svg
Europe (orthographic projection).svg
File:Speaker Icon.svg
Speaker Icon.svg
File:P history.svg
P history.svg
File:(Venice) Pompey the Great, Museo Archeologico Nazionale.jpg
(Venice) Pompey the Great, Museo...
File:Roman families 4 Nov 08.png
Roman families 4 Nov 08.png
File:Portrait head of Julius Caesar (1st cent. A.D.) at the Archaeological Museum of Corinth on 10 January 2020.jpg
Portrait head of Julius Caesar (1st cent....
File:Portrait of Julius Caesar (1st cent. B.C.) at the Archaeological Museum of Sparta on 15 May 2019.jpg
Portrait of Julius Caesar (1st cent....
File:Marius Chiaramonti Inv1488.jpg
Marius Chiaramonti Inv1488.jpg
File:Lionel Royer - Vercingetorix Throwing down His Weapons at the feet of Julius Caesar.jpg
Lionel Royer - Vercingetorix Throwing...
File:Cicero Denounces Catiline in the Roman Senate by Cesare Maccari.png
Cicero Denounces Catiline in the Roman...

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