Julius Caesar: The Man Who Changed Rome Forever

During the time of the ancient Roman Empire, many men wrote their names in the eternity of history; some will be remembered as brave and astute commanders, others earned fame for their cruelty and cowardice, but one name still echoes century after century: Gaius Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar Early LIfe

Julius Caesar got birth on July 13th, 100 BC. As a child, Caesar already proved himself as an adventurer, as he was an active and good-spirited boy, but at just 16, his life changed abruptly; his father passed away, and Julius suddenly became the head of his family. Julius was the nephew of Gaius Marius, a great general and politician.

He became famous for his military victories and for reorganizing the model of the Roman legions. Marius was known for his magnetic personality. Also, he was immensely respected by the soldiers who fought alongside him, which influenced the character of the young Julius Caesar, who saw in his uncle a model to be followed.

But during Julius’s adolescence, his uncle waged a civil war against ambitious Lucius Cornelius Sulla. They fought for the control of the city of Rome in the midst of this civil war. Julius Caesar married the daughter of his uncle’s political ally; his beloved’s name was Cornelius Cinna. Together they had a daughter named Julia.

Julius Caesar personal profile

Attempting to get away from Rome as quickly as possible, Julius enlisted in the army, where he fought in distant Turkey. Julius served in the army with great prominence, even receiving the civic crown as a reward for his heroic acts.

His superiors and fellow soldiers quickly recognized him, showing a promising future as a middle-tier commander, but in 78 BC, Julius received the news that his rival had died. Cornelius Sulla had died suddenly; for Julius Caesar, that meant a chance to come home after fulfilling his contract.

In the army, Julius returned to his home; however, to his misfortune, Sulla’s government confiscated his inheritance. To survive, Caesar used his powerful voice and his oratory skills to become a successful lawyer, and by working hard, Julius Caesar was able to rebuild his family’s social status.

Julius Caesar victory over pirates

But he vowed to seek revenge on them across the seas upon his release. The pirates mocked Julius throughout the journey. They ridiculed his arrogance. But at last, they accepted his cash offer. When he was finally free, Julius used his oratory gifts to attract sailors. Warriors to his cause, and using the rest of his fortune, he set up a fleet of ships.

Caesar spent several months sailing and facing pirate ships. He plundered the captured ships, which allowed him to make a profit from his victories. When Julius finally found the pirates who had kidnapped him. Then, he defeated them in battle and had the survivors crucified.

The pirates paid a high price for mocking Julius Caesar, which increased Caesar’s fame. Already renowned in Rome, upon returning, the army recalled him. He left to fight in foreign lands. Julius stood out again on the battlefields. Thus, the position of military tribute. Which guaranteed him the right to command many soldiers and run for political office.

Julius Caesar political career

Julius Caesar returned to Rome in 69 BC. That year, he began his political career, taking up a new post in the Roman Senate. His wife, Cornelia, had become pregnant again. Everything in Caesar’s life seemed peaceful. But to Julius’s misfortune. His beloved wife died that year. Due to a birth filled with complications that stole her life and that of her baby shortly after his wife’s funeral.

The sentence is already in active voice in Spain. He was the administrator of the territories controlled by Rome. One day, Julius decided to get to know the city of Cadiz better. Where he was living. After travelling some distance, he found a statue that time had worn down.

When Julius approached, he noticed that it was a statue of Alexander the Great. As he approached the feet of the statue. Caesar felt an enormous torment and began to cry. He was already 33 years old; he felt he had not conquered anything great in his life yet.

Julius Caesar was equal to Alexander the Great

On the contrary, Alexander the Great at that age had already conquered an empire. At that moment, Caesar swore he would not rest until he was equal to Alexander in his conquests. Julius Caesar fulfilled his role in Spain.

He gained fame as a good governor. And subdued local tribes who had revolted against the Roman occupation. However, Caesar was not happy to spend so much time away from Rome. After completing his service in Spain, he returned to his hometown.

Upon his return to Rome, Julius focused his efforts on achieving new political positions. Julius wanted to be Pontifex Maximus, the highest priest of the Roman religion, but he was running against two other reputable senators to support the campaign. Caesar spent most of his fortune. Julius Caesar knew he could not fail to win this new position.

Julius Caesar governance

If he failed, his political career would be over, and he would be broke for the rest of his life. To get around this problem, Julius allied himself with Marcus Licinius Crassus, known for being the richest man in Rome. Crassus paid off.

He covered half of Julius Caesar’s debt and secured the rest, becoming a valuable ally. Julius was able to win the election and take on the position. So he had hoped for, but he needed to pay off a huge debt to Marcus Crassus. That other powerful men noted the alliance.

General Pompey had importance in the Roman Senate. Other senators respected, even feared, him. Pompey did not like Julius Caesar’s growing ambition; he started watching that man who seemed to stand out from the crowd.

Julius Caesar won election

The years have passed; in 60 BC, Caesar became consul, the highest office in the Roman Republic, as a consul. Julius Caesar obtained great authority in the city of Rome to the point where he could even be immune from the laws of the city and be acquitted of any criminal charge.

Caesar won the election again, and as consul he proved to be a dangerously ambitious man that year. Julius married Calpurnia, who would be his wife for the rest of his life. General Pompey publicly showed his aversion to Julius Caesar and also his discontent with Cuz Crassus to solve this issue.

Julius met with Pompey and Crassus to form a new political and military alliance. This alliance became known as the first triumvirate, in which the three most powerful men of Rome would work together to rule Rome.

Julius Caesar army

Pompey increased the number of soldiers on the streets of the city, providing more security to the population. Crassus bought a large naval fleet and wanted to establish trade routes in distant lands such as Syria and Egypt, increasing his wealth and bringing new products to demand.

Roman markets and Caesar took the military command to conquer new lands for Rome. Julius Caesar’s fortune seemed promising again; he would not waste the opportunity to immortalize his name in history.

Julius Caesar was elected to the post of Roman consul, gaining great authority in all the territories conquered by Rome, but to achieve such an important position, Julius Caesar incurred a gigantic debt to Marcus Crassus, the richest man in Rome.

Caesar goals

Caesar had not yet forgotten that day at the foot of the statue of Alexander the Great; the desire to match Alexander and his conquests was still alive in Julius Caesar’s heart. The best way to achieve his goals was to conquer new territories for Rome, thus confiscating the riches and receiving part of the taxes of the conquered cities and villages.

It was there that Julius Caesar focused his attention on going Gaul was an ancient region classified by the Romans comprising territories that are now France. Belgium and parts of Italy and Germany are located today, for the most part, in Gaul, which was a wild territory full of forests and inhabited by several very hostile Celtic tribes.

With these obstacles, Gaul was not easy to invade, much less to conquer, because it was a difficult task. Julius Caesar made Gaul the main target of his ambitions. On April 58 BC, Caesar marched towards Gaul in command of four legions, some twenty-four thousand soldiers.