![]() The family's first consul was in 157 BC, though their political fortunes had recovered in the early first century, producing two consuls in 91 and 90 BC. The first person known to have had the cognomen Caesar was a praetor in 208 BC during the Second Punic War. ĭespite their ancient pedigree, the Julii Caesares were not especially politically influential during the middle republic. There is no evidence that Caesar himself was born by Caesarian section such operations entailed the death of the mother, but Caesar's mother lived for decades after his birth and no ancient sources record any difficulty with the birth. This genealogy had not yet taken its final form by the first century, but the clan's claimed descent from Venus was well established in public consciousness. Given that Aeneas was a son of Venus, this made the clan divine. ![]() The family also claimed descent from Julus, the son of Aeneas and founder of Alba Longa. The family claimed to have immigrated to Rome from Alba Longa during the seventh century BC after the third king of Rome, Tullus Hostilius, took and destroyed their city. Gaius Julius Caesar was born into a patrician family, the gens Julia on 12 July 100 BC. He was an enemy of Sulla and took the city with Lucius Cornelius Cinna in 87 BC. Main article: Early life and career of Julius Caesar Gaius Marius, Caesar's uncle and the husband of Caesar's aunt Julia. He has frequently appeared in literary and artistic works. His cognomen was subsequently adopted as a synonym for " Emperor" the title " Caesar" was used throughout the Roman Empire, giving rise to modern descendants such as Kaiser and Tsar. Caesar is considered by many historians to be one of the greatest military commanders in history. Later biographies of Caesar by Suetonius and Plutarch are also important sources. Other contemporary sources include the letters and speeches of Cicero and the historical writings of Sallust. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the Roman Empire began.Ĭaesar was an accomplished author and historian as well as a statesman much of his life is known from his own accounts of his military campaigns. Caesar's great-nephew and adopted heir Octavian, later known as Augustus, rose to sole power after defeating his opponents in the last civil war of the Roman Republic. A new series of civil wars broke out and the constitutional government of the Republic was never fully restored. Fearful of his power and domination of the state, a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius assassinated Caesar on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC. In early 44 he was proclaimed "dictator for life" ( dictator perpetuo). He initiated land reforms to support his veterans and initiated an enormous building programme. He gave citizenship to many residents of far regions of the Roman Republic. This began Caesar's civil war, which he won, leaving him in a position of near-unchallenged power and influence in 45 BC.Īfter assuming control of government, Caesar began a programme of social and governmental reform, including the creation of the Julian calendar. In 49 BC, Caesar openly defied the Senate's authority by crossing the Rubicon and marching towards Rome at the head of an army. ![]() With the Gallic Wars concluded, the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome. These achievements and the support of his veteran army threatened to eclipse the standing of Pompey, who had realigned himself with the Senate after the death of Crassus in 53 BC. During this time he both invaded Britain and built a bridge across the river Rhine. Caesar rose to become one of the most powerful politicians in the Roman Republic through a string of military victories in the Gallic Wars, completed by 51 BC, which greatly extended Roman territory. ![]() Their attempts to amass political power were opposed by many in the Senate, among them Cato the Younger with the private support of Cicero. In 60 BC, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed the First Triumvirate, an informal political alliance that dominated Roman politics for several years. He played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and subsequently became dictator from 49 BC until his assassination in 44 BC. Gaius Julius Caesar ( / ˈ s iː z ər/, SEE-zər Latin: 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |