Julius Caesar
100 BC – 44 BC · Rome
Known for: Roman dictator, Military genius, Gallic Wars, Crossed the Rubicon, Julian calendar
“Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)”
Biography
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, and author who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. Born into a patrician family, Caesar rose through the ranks of Roman politics through a combination of military genius, political acumen, and populist appeal. His military campaigns in Gaul (modern-day France and Belgium) from 58 to 50 BC expanded Roman territory dramatically and brought him immense wealth and a loyal army. His detailed accounts of these campaigns, "Commentarii de Bello Gallico" (Commentaries on the Gallic War), remain important historical and literary works. Caesar's growing power alarmed the Roman Senate, particularly his rival Pompey. When the Senate ordered Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome, he famously crossed the Rubicon River with his legion in 49 BC, uttering "alea iacta est" (the die is cast), an act of war against the Senate. This sparked a civil war that Caesar won, defeating Pompey and his supporters. Caesar became dictator of Rome, implementing numerous reforms including the Julian calendar (the basis for the modern calendar), land redistribution, and expansion of Roman citizenship. His clemency toward former enemies was notable but ultimately proved fatal. On the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius, who feared he intended to become king. His death plunged Rome into another civil war, ultimately leading to the end of the Republic and the establishment of the Roman Empire under his adopted heir, Octavian (later Augustus). Caesar's name became synonymous with imperial rule, giving us the words "Kaiser" and "Czar."