Information on Julius Caesar..
Caesar was born into a patrician family. In 85 BC, Caesar's father died suddenly, so at
sixteen Caesar was the head of the family. Caesar left Rome and joined the army, where he won the Civic
Crown for his part in an important siege.
1. Caesar's Birth Julius Caesar was probably born 3 days before the Ides of July, in 100 B.C. That date would be July 13. Other possibilities are that he was born on July 12 in 100 B.C. or that he was born on July 12 or 13 in the year 102 B.C.
2. Caesar's Pedigreed FamilyHis father's family was from the patrician gens of the Julii.
The Julii traced its lineage to the first king of Rome, Romulus, and the goddess Venus or, instead of Romulus, to Venus' grandson Ascanius (aka Iulus or Jullus; whence Julius). One patrician branch of the Julian gens was called Caesar. [See Surnames of the Julii from UNRV.] Julius Caesar's parents were Gaius Caesar and Aurelia, daughter of Lucius Aurelius Cotta.
3. Familial TiesJulius Caesar was related by marriage to Marius.
The first 7-time consul, Marius supported the populares and opposed Sulla. Sulla supported the optimates. (It is common, but inaccurate to consider the optimates like the conservative party and the populares like the liberal party of modern political systems.)
Perhaps more familiar to military history buffs, Marius drastically reformed the military during the Republican period.
4. Caesar and the PiratesThe young Julius went to Rhodes to study oratory, but on his way he was captured bypirates whom he charmed and seemingly befriended. After he was freed, Julius arranged to have the pirates executed.
5. Cursus Honorum
8. Caesar's ProseSecond-year Latin students are familiar with the military side of Julius Caesar's life. As well as conquering the Gallic tribes, he wrote about the Gallic Wars in clear, elegant prose, referring to himself in the third person. It was through his campaigns that Julius Caesar was finally able to work his way out of debt, although the third member of the triumvirate, Crassus
9. Rubicon and Civil WarJulius Caesar refused to obey the command of the Senate, but instead led his troops across the Rubicon river, which started civil war.
10. Ides of March and AssassinationJulius Caesar was the Roman dictator with divine honors, but he didn't have a crown. In 44 B.C. conspirators, claiming they feared Julius Caesar was aiming to become king, assassinated Julius Caesar on the Ides of March.
11. Caesar's HeirsAlthough Julius Caesar had a living son, Caesarion (not officially acknowledged), Caesarion was an Egyptian, the son of Queen Cleopatra, so Julius Caesar adopted a great nephew, Octavian, in his will. Octavian was to become the first Roman emperor, Augustus.
12. Caesar TriviaCaesar was known to be careful or abstemious in his consumption of wine and was said to have been particular in his hygiene, including having himself depilitated. I don't have a source for this.
Timeline for General Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.E.)
100
Born in Rome
84
Marries Cornelia, daughter of the powerful consul Cinna
75
Captured and ransomed by Mediterranean pirates. After his release, Caesar
fulfills his promise to crucify the pirates.
67
Marries Pompeia after Cornelia's death
63
Elected Pontifex Maximus (High Priest)
61
Becomes governor of Spain
60
Forms triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey
59
Elected consul
58
Becomes governor of Gaul
53
Crassus killed at Battle of Carrhae in Mesopotamia
49
Caesar and his army cross the Rubicon into Italy, sparking civil
war
48
Pompey murdered in Egypt; Caesar has affair with Cleopatra and makes her
queen of Egypt
47
Cleopatra gives birth to Caesar's son, Caesarion
45
Wins title of dictator for life
44
Assassinated on the Ides of March by Brutus and
Cassius
sixteen Caesar was the head of the family. Caesar left Rome and joined the army, where he won the Civic
Crown for his part in an important siege.
1. Caesar's Birth Julius Caesar was probably born 3 days before the Ides of July, in 100 B.C. That date would be July 13. Other possibilities are that he was born on July 12 in 100 B.C. or that he was born on July 12 or 13 in the year 102 B.C.
2. Caesar's Pedigreed FamilyHis father's family was from the patrician gens of the Julii.
The Julii traced its lineage to the first king of Rome, Romulus, and the goddess Venus or, instead of Romulus, to Venus' grandson Ascanius (aka Iulus or Jullus; whence Julius). One patrician branch of the Julian gens was called Caesar. [See Surnames of the Julii from UNRV.] Julius Caesar's parents were Gaius Caesar and Aurelia, daughter of Lucius Aurelius Cotta.
3. Familial TiesJulius Caesar was related by marriage to Marius.
The first 7-time consul, Marius supported the populares and opposed Sulla. Sulla supported the optimates. (It is common, but inaccurate to consider the optimates like the conservative party and the populares like the liberal party of modern political systems.)
Perhaps more familiar to military history buffs, Marius drastically reformed the military during the Republican period.
4. Caesar and the PiratesThe young Julius went to Rhodes to study oratory, but on his way he was captured bypirates whom he charmed and seemingly befriended. After he was freed, Julius arranged to have the pirates executed.
5. Cursus Honorum
- Quaestor
Julius entered the course of advancement in the Roman political system as quaestor in 68 or 69 B.C. - Curule Aedile
In 65 B.C., Julius Caesar became curule aedile and then managed to be appointed to the position ofpontifex maximus, contrary to convention, since he was so young. - Praetor
Julius Caesar became praetor for 62 B.C. and during that year divorced his second wife for not being above suspicion, in the Bona Dea scandal involvingClaudius/Clodius Pulcher. - Consul
Julius Caesar won one of the consulships in 59 B.C. The chief advantage for him of this top political position was that following the term in office, he would become governor (proconsul) of a lucrative province. - Proconsul
After his term as consul, Caesar was sent to Gaul as the proconsul.
- Mistresses
Julius Caesar himself was guilty of many extra-marital affairs, -- with Cleopatra, among others. One of the most significant relations was with Servilia Caepionis, the half-sister of Cato the Younger. Because of this relationship, it was thought possible that Brutus was Julius Caesar's son. - Male Lover
Julius Caesar was taunted all his life with charges of having been the lover of King Nicomedes of Bithynia. - Wives
Julius Caesar married Cornelia, a daughter of Marius' associate, Lucius Cornelius Cinna, then a relative of Pompey named Pompeia, and finally, Calpurnia.
8. Caesar's ProseSecond-year Latin students are familiar with the military side of Julius Caesar's life. As well as conquering the Gallic tribes, he wrote about the Gallic Wars in clear, elegant prose, referring to himself in the third person. It was through his campaigns that Julius Caesar was finally able to work his way out of debt, although the third member of the triumvirate, Crassus
9. Rubicon and Civil WarJulius Caesar refused to obey the command of the Senate, but instead led his troops across the Rubicon river, which started civil war.
10. Ides of March and AssassinationJulius Caesar was the Roman dictator with divine honors, but he didn't have a crown. In 44 B.C. conspirators, claiming they feared Julius Caesar was aiming to become king, assassinated Julius Caesar on the Ides of March.
11. Caesar's HeirsAlthough Julius Caesar had a living son, Caesarion (not officially acknowledged), Caesarion was an Egyptian, the son of Queen Cleopatra, so Julius Caesar adopted a great nephew, Octavian, in his will. Octavian was to become the first Roman emperor, Augustus.
12. Caesar TriviaCaesar was known to be careful or abstemious in his consumption of wine and was said to have been particular in his hygiene, including having himself depilitated. I don't have a source for this.
Timeline for General Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.E.)
100
Born in Rome
84
Marries Cornelia, daughter of the powerful consul Cinna
75
Captured and ransomed by Mediterranean pirates. After his release, Caesar
fulfills his promise to crucify the pirates.
67
Marries Pompeia after Cornelia's death
63
Elected Pontifex Maximus (High Priest)
61
Becomes governor of Spain
60
Forms triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey
59
Elected consul
58
Becomes governor of Gaul
53
Crassus killed at Battle of Carrhae in Mesopotamia
49
Caesar and his army cross the Rubicon into Italy, sparking civil
war
48
Pompey murdered in Egypt; Caesar has affair with Cleopatra and makes her
queen of Egypt
47
Cleopatra gives birth to Caesar's son, Caesarion
45
Wins title of dictator for life
44
Assassinated on the Ides of March by Brutus and
Cassius