Military Leader · 100 BC – 44 BC
Julius Caesar
Key Takeaways
- Caesar's conquest of Gaul extended Roman power to the Atlantic and the Rhine.
- Crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC began a civil war and became a phrase for a point of no return.
- He reformed the calendar into the Julian calendar, the basis of the modern Western calendar.
- His assassination in 44 BC led to the collapse of the Republic and the rise of the Empire under Augustus.
Gaius Julius Caesar transformed Rome from a republic governed by its Senate into a state dominated by a single man. Soldier, orator, writer and politician, he is among the most consequential figures of antiquity.
The conquest of Gaul
Between 58 and 50 BC, Caesar subdued the Celtic tribes of Gaul, extending Roman territory to the English Channel and the Rhine — and documenting it himself in his Commentaries.
Rubicon to the Ides of March
Ordered to disband his army, Caesar instead crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC, igniting civil war. Victorious, he was named dictator for life — until a conspiracy of senators struck him down on the Ides of March, 44 BC, plunging Rome toward the Empire of Augustus.
Influence
Caesar's career destroyed the Roman Republic and created the template for one-man rule; his very name became the title 'Caesar', 'Kaiser' and 'Tsar'.
Legacy
He is the emblematic figure of Roman power and political ambition, his assassination immortalized by Shakespeare and the phrase "Et tu, Brute?".
Major Works
- Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic War)
Controversies
- His accumulation of dictatorial power alarmed the Senate and provoked his assassination.
- The Gallic Wars caused immense loss of life among Celtic peoples.
Notable Quotes
“Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)”
“The die is cast.”
Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar (100–44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who conquered Gaul, won a civil war, and ruled as dictator before being assassinated, ending the Roman Republic.
How did Julius Caesar die?
He was assassinated by a group of Roman senators on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC.
Biography Books
- Caesar: Life of a Colossus — Adrian Goldsworthy (2006)intermediate
Adrian Goldsworthy's authoritative modern biography.
View on Amazon ↗
Citations & Sources
- Goldsworthy, A. — Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale, 2006).
- Encyclopædia Britannica — 'Julius Caesar'.
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