Julius Caesar/Bio & Battles

"I came, I saw, I conquered."

- Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman politician and military commander in the first century BC, who played a major role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Caesar was born into a minor patrician family in 100 BC. Although his family boasted of a pedigree leading back to Aeneas, they held little actual political influence. His father died unexpectedly when Caesar was sixteen, suddenly thrusting the young man into the world of Roman politics. He rose quickly through the ranks, and he held numerous important positions.

In 60 BC, Caesar formed a political alliance with the military leaders Marcus Licinius Crassus and Pompey the Great, known as the First Triumvirate. Although they all harbored animosity for each other, all members cooperated with one another in order to advance their political standings.

Two years later, Caesar would become the governor of Roman Gaul. During his rule, he would conquer the territories of numerous Gallic tribes, expanding the province to reach the banks of the Rhine. His military exploits gained Caesar great fame and respect back in Rome, along with military experience that would prove invaluable in the years to come.

Once his term as governor ended, the Roman Senate (now controlled by an envious Pompey) demanded that Caesar disband his legions. Caesar refused, and made the drastic decision of entering Italy with his loyal legions still formed. This prompted a civil war with Pompey, which would end with Pompey's assassination, after he was defeated and fled to Egypt.

After Pompey's death, Caesar returned to Rome and was elected dictator for life. Caesar quickly put his new power to use, enacting several reforms in the Roman Senate, economy, and calendar. However, his rule did not last for long. The immense political power he gained as dictator made him numerous enemies in the Senate, twenty-three of which would participate in Caesar's assassination. His death infuriated the common people of Rome, who saw Caesar as their champion. Caesar's heir, Octavian, would avenge his predecessor‘s death and eventually become the first Roman Emperor.