Julius Caesar

One of the most influential political and military leaders in global history, Gaius Julius Caesar helped establish the vast empire ruled by Rome. Gaius Julius Caser was born in the year of 100 BC into a patrician family. At the time of his birth, Rome was still a republic and the empire was only really just beginning. The senators ruled, motivated by the greed of power in the hope of becoming, either, a consul or a praetor, the two senior posts which carried emporium, the legal right to command an army. From these posts it was possible to, with the help of an army at your command, conquer new territories and in turn, gain triumph and the pleasure of knowing that your name will be remembered forever in statues and inscribed monuments, paid for by the spoils of war.

To obtain distinction for himself and his family, Caesar sought election to public office. In 86 BC, Caesar was appointed flamen dialis with the help of his uncle by marriage, Gaius Marius. (Billows). In 84 BC Caesar married Cornelia, daughter of Lucious Cornelius Cinna. (Billows). In 82 BC Caesar was ordered to divorce his wife by Lucious Cornelius Sulla, an enemy of the radicals. (Billows). Caesar traveled to Rhodes in 78 BC to study rhetoric and did not return until 73 BC. (Billows). During his journey to Rhodes pirates managed to capture him. Caesar convinced his captors to raise his ransom, which increased his prestige. He then raised a naval force, overcame his captors, and had them crucified. In 69 or 68 BC Caesar was elected quaestor. (Billows). His wife died shortly thereafter.

Soon after his wife’s death, Caesar met and fell in love with Pompeia, a relative of Caesar’s friend, Pompey. Pompey later married Caesar’s daughter Julia in 59 BC. Caesar’s own attachment to Pompey and Pompey’s marriage to Julia ended when she died in 54 BC. The marriage to Pompeia ended in 62 BC.