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Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar (/ˈszər/, SEE-zər; Latin: [ˈɡaːiʊs ˈjuːliʊs ˈkae̯sar]; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. 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. He played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

"Gaius Julius Caesar" and "Caesar" redirect here. For the name, see Gaius Julius Caesar (name). For other uses, see Gaius Julius Caesar (disambiguation), Caesar (disambiguation), and Julius Caesar (disambiguation).

Julius Caesar

12 July 100 BC[1]

Suburra, Rome

15 March 44 BC (aged 55)

  • Politician
  • soldier
  • author
Pontifex maximus 64–44 BC
Consul 59 BC
Proconsul (Gaul, Illyricum) 58–49 BC
Dictator 49–44 BC
Consul 48, 46–44 BC
Dictator perpetuo 44 BC[2]
Cossutia (disputed)
Cornelia m. 84 BC; d. 69 BC
Pompeia m. 67 BC; div. 61 BC
Calpurnia m. 59 BC

81–45 BC

In 60 BC, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed the First Triumvirate, an informal political alliance that dominated Roman politics for several years. Their attempts to amass political power were opposed by many in the Senate, among them Cato the Younger with the private support of Cicero. 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. During this time he both invaded Britain and built a bridge across the river Rhine. 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. With the Gallic Wars concluded, the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome. In 49 BC, Caesar openly defied the Senate's authority by crossing the Rubicon and marching towards Rome at the head of an army.[3] This began Caesar's civil war, which he won, leaving him in a position of near-unchallenged power and influence in 45 BC.


After assuming control of government, Caesar began a programme of social and governmental reform, including the creation of the Julian calendar. He gave citizenship to many residents of far regions of the Roman Republic. He initiated land reforms to support his veterans and initiated an enormous building programme. In early 44 BC, he was proclaimed "dictator for life" (dictator perpetuo). 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. A new series of civil wars broke out and the constitutional government of the Republic was never fully restored. 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. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the Roman Empire began.


Caesar 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. Other contemporary sources include the letters and speeches of Cicero and the historical writings of Sallust. Later biographies of Caesar by Suetonius and Plutarch are also important sources. Caesar is considered by many historians to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.[4] 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. He has frequently appeared in literary and artistic works.

First marriage to , from 84 BC until her death in 69 BC

Cornelia

Second marriage to , from 67 BC until he divorced her around 61 BC over the Bona Dea scandal

Pompeia

Third marriage to , from 59 BC until Caesar's death

Calpurnia

The , usually known in English as The Gallic Wars, seven books each covering one year of his campaigns in Gaul and southern Britain in the 50s BC, with the eighth book written by Aulus Hirtius on the last two years.

Commentarii de Bello Gallico

The (The Civil War), events of the Civil War from Caesar's perspective, until immediately after Pompey's death in Egypt.

Commentarii de Bello Civili

Modern bronze statue of Julius Caesar, Rimini, Italy

Modern bronze statue of Julius Caesar, Rimini, Italy

Portrait at the Archaeological Museum of Sparta

Portrait at the Archaeological Museum of Sparta

Bronze statue at the Porta Palatina in Turin

Bronze statue at the Porta Palatina in Turin

Bust in the Archaeological Museum of Corinth

Bust in the Archaeological Museum of Corinth

Bust in the National Archaeological Museum, Naples, photograph published in 1902

Bust in the National Archaeological Museum, Naples, photograph published in 1902

Et tu, Brute?

– a play by William Shakespeare (c. 1599)

Julius Caesar

– an opera by Handel (1724)

Giulio Cesare

Veni, vidi, vici

Caesar cipher

Caesareum of Alexandria

in the Digital Prosopography of the Roman Republic.

C. Iulius (131) C. f. C. n. Fab. Caesar

Works by or about Gaius Julius Caesar at Wikisource

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Works related to Julius Caesar at Wikisource

and library resources in your library and in other libraries about Caesar

Online books

and library resources in your library and in other libraries by Caesar

Online books

Guide to online resources