The Life of Julius Caesar
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Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is and was one of the most influential people in history. He created laws, stuck wars, and developed new strategies for leadership and battles. “Caesar is widely considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, as well as a brilliant politician and one of the ancient worlds strongest leaders (Julius Caesar pg.1).” He transformed the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire and he extended his land all the way through Gaul to The Atlantic Ocean, as well as fighting a civil war and being proclaimed as dictator for life.
Julius Caesar was born in Rome to a patrician family. Supposedly he was born by a Caesarean Section were he got his namesake, although modern historian think this is highly unlikely. Caesar was not born to a rich family, although a noble, as many people would have thought. His father was named Gaius Julius Caesar and his mother Aurelia Cotta, he also had a elder sister named Julia. Though this did change over time as his aunt married Gauis Marius who later became the richest man in Rome.
Marius started a civil war as a radical reformist against Lucius Sulla. During this war both Marius and Juliuss dad died of illness leaving Julius much money and property in their various wills. During this time Julius also married Cornelia daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna who was Mariuss greatest supporter and also Sullas enemy. As the war ended in 85 B.C. it left Caesar in an extremely bad position as the enemy of the new dictator. Because of this he fled with his family out of the grasp of Sulla. Sulla later pardoned Caesar and his family and allowed him to return to Rome. ” In a prophetic moment, Sulla was said to comment on the dangers of letting Caesar live. According to Suetonius, the dictator in relenting on Caesars proscription said, “He whose life you so much desire will one day be the overthrow of part of nobles, whose cause you have sustained with m; for in this one Caesar, you will find many a Marius.”(Julius Caesar pg.3).”
Despite the pardon Caesar did not remain in Rome as he left for military service. He was dispatched to Bithynia on the southern coast of the Black Sea during the siege of Mytilene. It was his job to convince King Nicomedes IV Philopator to make his fleet available to Marcus Minucius Thermus in the Aegean Sea, Caesar reached this goal quite easily. After this accomplishment he continued to serve under Thermus were he also helped in the siege of Miletus. During the battle he saved the lives of many legionaries, and because of this he was awarded the corona civica (oak crown). This was the highest award given to a simple solider. When the crown was worn in public all were forced to stand and applause the beholder, even the ones present belonged to the Roman Senate. It was supposed to be worn on one day, and after that on festive occasions. The crown came with a badge that could be worn permanently to show courage.
While this was occurring
Sulla was using all that powers in his repeiteur to change Rome in ways that he saw fit. He established a consul, disbanded legions, and resigned as dictator giving the power the consul, which aloud Rome to chose its leader. Sulla had 2 consulships and then went to live on privately were he died 2 years later.
“In 78 BC, on hearing of Sullas Death, Caesar felt it would be safe for him to return to Rome and begin his political career, as an advocate for the populares. He became known for his exceptional oratory, accpmpanied by impassioned gestures and a high pitched voice, and ruthless prosecution of former governors notorious for extortion and corruption”(Julius Caesar pg. 5).
Julius was next captured by Caecilian pirates, they wanted to kidnap him for ransom money which they later received in the amount of 50 talents of gold (12,000 gold pieces). This occurred while he was traveling across the Aegean Sea while doing his political duties. Once Caesar was released he immediately gathered his fleet and went after the pirates who were in Asia Minor. Once they were captured Julius brought them to justice quite quickly, he had each and every one of them crucified.
In 63 BC Quintus Caecilius Metellus Puis, who had been appointed Pontifex Maximus by Sulla died. This was a very important job as it held much political and religious authority, also if a person were to gain this position he would become known to much larger group of people. Once Caesar saw this opportunity he jumped on it. After much bribery, he won the position over two consolers named Quintus Lutatius Catulus and Publius Serilius Vatia Isauricus. During his regin as Pontifex Julius was adwared governor to a region known as Hispania Ulterior. He has huge success at this role as he expanded Romes territory greatly.
Once his term was completed as Pontifex he returned to Rome in 60 BC where he received great praise for his many new accomplishments. Thereafter the Centuriate Assembly elected Caesar as senior Consul of the Roman Republic. Once this occurred he was in dire need of allies. To do this Caesar formed the first Triumvirate with Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus and Marcus Licinius Crassus. A Triumvirate was the rule over a region of three men. This alliance assured him of money and power. Finally to confirm this alliance Pompey married Julia who was Caesars only daughter.
Caesar was then appointed to a five year term as Proconsular Governor of Transalpine of Gaul. He was displeased with this though as he started a the Gaelic Civil War. As a result of this Caesar captured the rest of Gaul and part of Germania. After this he started a military campaign in which he captured many cities for the Roman Empire which included Helvetii in 58 BC, Belgic Condederacy, Nervii, and the Veneti in 56 BC. According to historians the end result was 800 cities conquered and a million dead soldiers.
In spite of all this success Caesar still had trouble with politicans. Many of them suspected of him of campaigning for power and to be king. In 54 BC Julia, Caesars only daughter and Gnaeus wife, died while giving birth to a child, and Crassus, a member of the Triumvirate