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Julius Caesar Essay | Essay on Julius Caesar for Students and Children in English

February 12, 2024 by Prasanna

Julius Caesar Essay:  Julius Caesar was Roman General and statesman who is widely known for his notable role in the events which led to the fall of the Roman Empire. He was a celebrated politician and can also be termed as a successful one. His most outstanding achievement was the invasion of Britain. However, Caesar’s acts were almost always against the decisions of the Senate, and despite his crucial successes, he was soon requested to step down.

Caesar, driven with political and military authority, disregarded the Senate every time. The elites soon were discontented towards his social reforms. Caesar was finally assassinated by a group of senators. The most crucial literary representation of Caesar was in the play called “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare.

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Long and Short Essays on Julius Caesar for Students and Kids in English

We are providing students with essay samples on an extended essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the topic Julius Caesar.

Long Essay on Julius Caesar 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Julius Caesar is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Historical Background:

Julius Caesar was a notable Roman statesman who eventually became one of the most crucial politicians of the Roman Empire before it’s decline. He, along with Crassus and Pompey, formed a political alliance called The First Triumvirate which dominated the empire for years.

However, Caesar’s glorious wins in battles and his invasion of Britain soon became a threat to Pompey. Caesar was asked by the Senate to step down, but he didn’t comply with the decision. This led to high opposition from the Senate and eventually resulted in a conspiracy against Caesar and his assassination.

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

The notable play, “The tragedy of Julius Caesar” written by William Shakespeare is a canon of English literature. The play was performed for the first time in the year 1599.

The play is centred around the Roman statesman Julius Caesar and his eventual assassination. Though the play is named Julius Caesar, it mostly centres around Brutus. It depicts the moral dilemma of Brutus, one of the closest friends of Caesar and a Roman Senator who gets involved in the conspiracy to murder Caesar.

The play begins with the return of Caesar from a victorious conquest by defeating Pompey and the beginning of a conspiracy against him among the senators. The Roman senators led by Cassius are seen to forge several documents and convince Brutus that Julius needs to assassinated to save Rome and its people.

Later, the senators approach Caesar with a fake petition regarding an issue involving Metellus Cimber’s banished brother. As Caesar rejects the plea, he is stabbed by the others, the last stab being of Brutus.

The death of Caesar gives rise to a series of civil wars in the Roman Empire. Brutus tries to pacify the crowd with his oration, but Mark Antony soon turns the public against the assassins. Brutus and Cassius unite to battle against Mark Antony and Octavian Caesar. However, they both meet with the unfortunate and untimely death. The play ends with Antony paying his tribute to Brutus as he was the only noble soul in Rome who stabbed Caesar only because he was made to believe that it was for the greater good of the empire.

Protagonist Debate:

Critics of Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar have often found themselves in never-ending dilemma regarding who is the protagonist of the story. Some believe that neither Caesar nor Brutus are the protagonists of the play since Caesar dies right at the beginning in Act Three, Scene One. Others believe Caesar to be the axial character of the play, around whom the entire story runs. There also critics who like to think that it is indeed Brutus who is the protagonist as the whole play centres around his moral dilemma and ends with his noble death.

The larger message of Julius Caesar-

The characters of Caesar and Brutus are quite identical in the play. Both of them are driven by passion and intuition. They have high philosophical knowledge that makes them respectable. However, Caesar is a man driven by virtue, while Brutus is driven mostly by impulsive passion.

Short Essay on Julius Caesar 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Julius Caesar is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Julius Caesar was a notable Roman statesman and politician who had risen in power during 60 BC. He became a crucial political as well as military leader and achieved a great deal for the Roman Empire.

He was responsible for the glorious invasion of Britain and also the defeat of the authoritarian Pompey. However, Caesar soon met striking oppositions from the Roman Senate. When he didn’t agree to comply with the Senate’s decision of removing him from an authority, he was assassinated by his senate members led by Cassius and also his closest ally Brutus.

William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar centres around this moral dilemma of Brutus whether he should join hands with the Senate to murder his friend. The play continues with the rising civil wars after Caesar’s death, Cassius and Brutus’s battle against Antonio and their eventual death. The play gives us a larger message of how passion and arrogance can often lead a man to the wrong path.

10 Lines on Julius Caesar Essay in English

1. The play was first performed in 1599. 2. It was first published as a work in 1623. 3. The most famous line of the play is the Latin phrase. “Et tu Brute?” 4. Brutus was assassinated in 44 BC. 5. Shakespeare altered several historical facts in the play. 6. For dramatic effect, he made Capitol the venue of Caesar’s death rather than Curia of Pompey. 7. There is a debate on who the actual protagonist of the play is. 8. In the end, Cassius asks his servant to kill him. 9. Brutus commits suicide. 10. Julius Caesar’s death was a notable event that led to the fall of the Roman empire.

FAQ’s on Julius Caesar Essay

Question 1. Was Brutus an evil character?

Answer: No, Brutus was a man of virtue who was driven by his passion for the wrong path.

Question 2. Who succeeded Caesar?

Answer: Julius was succeeded by his adoptive son Augustus Caesar.

Question 3. What does “Et tu Brute” mean?

Answer: This Latin phrase means, “You too Brutus?”

Question 4. Who was Pompey?

Answer: Pompey was a Roman politician who was first an ally of Caesar and his enemy.

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Julius Caesar

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• Livius - Biography of Julius Caesar
• The History Learning Site - Biography of Julius Caesar
• Ancient Origins - The Deeds of Julius Caesar, Rome’s Greatest Son
• US history.org - Ancient Civilization - Julius Caesar
• HistoryNet - Julius Caesar's Triumph in Gaul
• Chemistry LibreTexts - Julius Caesar
• Official Site of MERCOSUR
• Spartacus Educational - Biography of Julius Caesar
• Live Science - Julius Caesar biography: Facts and history
• World History Encyclopedia - Julius Caesar
• HistoryWorld - History of Julius Caesar
• UNRV - Julius Caesar
• Julius Caesar - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Julius Caesar - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

What was Julius Caesar’s childhood like?

Julius Caesar's family was old Roman nobility , but they were not rich. His father died when he was 16, but he received significant support from his mother.

How did Julius Caesar change the world?

Julius Caesar was a political and military genius who overthrew Rome’s decaying political order and replaced it with a dictatorship. He triumphed in the Roman Civil War but was assassinated by those who believed that he was becoming too powerful.

How did Julius Caesar die?

Julius Caesar was murdered in the Roman Senate House by a group of nobles on March 15, 44 BCE. The assassination plot was led by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus .

How did Julius Caesar come to power?

Julius Caesar crafted an alliance with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Pompey to form the First Triumvirate and challenge the power of the Roman Senate. After Crassus's death, Caesar led his army into Italy, defeated Pompey, and claimed the title of dictator.

Julius Caesar (born July 12/13, 100? bce , Rome [Italy]—died March 15, 44 bce , Rome) was a celebrated Roman general and statesman, the conqueror of Gaul (58–50 bce ), victor in the civil war of 49–45 bce , and dictator (46–44 bce ), who was launching a series of political and social reforms when he was assassinated by a group of nobles in the Senate House on the Ides of March . He is one of the major figures of Classical antiquity .

Caesar changed the course of the history of the Greco-Roman world decisively and irreversibly. The Greco-Roman society has been extinct for so long that most of the names of its great men mean little to the average, educated modern person. But Caesar’s name, like Alexander ’s, is still on people’s lips throughout the Christian and Islamic worlds. Even people who know nothing of Caesar as a historic personality are familiar with his family name as a title signifying a ruler who is in some sense uniquely supreme or paramount—the meaning of Kaiser in German, tsar in the Slavonic languages , and qayṣar in the languages of the Islamic world .

Caesar’s gens (clan) name, Julius (Iulius), is also familiar in the Christian world, for in Caesar’s lifetime the Roman month Quintilis, in which he was born, was renamed “ July ” in his honour. This name has survived, as has Caesar’s reform of the calendar . The old Roman calendar was inaccurate and manipulated for political purposes. Caesar’s calendar, the Julian calendar , is still partially in force in the Eastern Orthodox Christian countries, and the Gregorian calendar , now in use in the West, is the Julian, slightly corrected by Pope Gregory XIII .

Family background and career

Caesar’s gens, the Julii, were patricians —i.e., members of Rome ’s original aristocracy , which had coalesced in the 4th century bce with a number of leading plebeian (commoner) families to form the nobility that had been the governing class in Rome since then. By Caesar’s time, the number of surviving patrician gentes was small; and in the gens Julia the Caesares seem to have been the only surviving family. Though some of the most powerful noble families were patrician, patrician blood was no longer a political advantage; it was actually a handicap, since a patrician was debarred from holding the paraconstitutional but powerful office of tribune of the plebs. The Julii Caesares traced their lineage back to the goddess Venus , but the family was not snobbish or conservative-minded. It was also not rich or influential or even distinguished.

A Roman noble won distinction for himself and his family by securing election to a series of public offices, which culminated in the consulship , with the censorship possibly to follow. This was a difficult task for even the ablest and most gifted noble unless he was backed by substantial family wealth and influence. Rome’s victory over Carthage in the Second Punic War (218–201 bce ) had made Rome the paramount power in the Mediterranean basin; an influential Roman noble family’s clients (that is, protégés who, in return, gave their patrons their political support) might include kings and even whole nations, besides numerous private individuals. The requirements and the costs of a Roman political career in Caesar’s day were high, and the competition was severe; but the potential profits were of enormous magnitude. One of the perquisites of the praetorship and the consulship was the government of a province , which gave ample opportunity for plunder. The whole Mediterranean world was, in fact, at the mercy of the Roman nobility and of a new class of Roman businessmen, the equites (“knights”), which had grown rich on military contracts and on tax farming.

Military manpower was supplied by the Roman peasantry. This class had been partly dispossessed by an economic revolution following on the devastation caused by the Second Punic War. The Roman governing class had consequently come to be hated and discredited at home and abroad. From 133 bce onward there had been a series of alternate revolutionary and counter-revolutionary paroxysms . It was evident that the misgovernment of the Roman state and the Greco-Roman world by the Roman nobility could not continue indefinitely and it was fairly clear that the most probable alternative was some form of military dictatorship backed by dispossessed Italian peasants who had turned to long-term military service.

The traditional competition among members of the Roman nobility for office and the spoils of office was thus threatening to turn into a desperate race for seizing autocratic power. The Julii Caesares did not seem to be in the running. It was true that Sextus Caesar, who was perhaps the dictator’s uncle, had been one of the consuls for 91 bce ; and Lucius Caesar , one of the consuls for 90 bce , was a distant cousin, whose son and namesake was consul for 64 bce . In 90 bce , Rome’s Italian allies had seceded from Rome because of the Roman government’s obstinate refusal to grant them Roman citizenship, and, as consul, Lucius Caesar had introduced emergency legislation for granting citizenship to the citizens of all Italian ally states that had not taken up arms or that had returned to their allegiance .

Whoever had been consul in this critical year would have had to initiate such legislation, whatever his personal political predilections . There is evidence, however, that the Julii Caesares, though patricians, had already committed themselves to the antinobility party. An aunt of the future dictator had married Gaius Marius , a self-made man ( novus homo ) who had forced his way up to the summit by his military ability and had made the momentous innovation of recruiting his armies from the dispossessed peasants.

The date of Caesar the dictator’s birth has long been disputed. The day was July 12 or 13; the traditional (and perhaps most probable) year is 100 bce ; but if this date is correct, Caesar must have held each of his offices two years in advance of the legal minimum age. His father, Gaius Caesar , died when Caesar was but 16; his mother, Aurelia, was a notable woman, and it seems certain that he owed much to her.

In spite of the inadequacy of his resources, Caesar seems to have chosen a political career as a matter of course. From the beginning, he probably privately aimed at winning office, not just for the sake of the honours but in order to achieve the power to put the misgoverned Roman state and Greco-Roman world into better order in accordance with ideas of his own. It is improbable that Caesar deliberately sought monarchical power until after he had crossed the Rubicon in 49 bce , though sufficient power to impose his will, as he was determined to do, proved to mean monarchical power.

In 84 bce Caesar committed himself publicly to the radical side by marrying Cornelia, a daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna , a noble who was Marius’s associate in revolution. In 83 bce Lucius Cornelius Sulla returned to Italy from the East and led the successful counter-revolution of 83–82 bce ; Sulla then ordered Caesar to divorce Cornelia. Caesar refused and came close to losing not only his property (such as it was) but his life as well. He found it advisable to remove himself from Italy and to do military service, first in the province of Asia and then in Cilicia .

In 78 bce , after Sulla’s death, he returned to Rome and started on his political career in the conventional way, by acting as a prosecuting advocate—of course, in his case, against prominent Sullan counter-revolutionaries. His first target, Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella, was defended by Quintus Hortensius , the leading advocate of the day, and was acquitted by the extortion-court jury, composed exclusively of senators.

Caesar then went to Rhodes to study oratory under a famous professor, Molon. En route he was captured by pirates (one of the symptoms of the anarchy into which the Roman nobility had allowed the Mediterranean world to fall). Caesar raised his ransom, raised a naval force , captured his captors, and had them crucified—all this as a private individual holding no public office. In 74 bce , when Mithradates VI Eupator , king of Pontus , renewed war on the Romans, Caesar raised a private army to combat him.

In his absence from Rome, Caesar was made a member of the politico-ecclesiastical college of pontifices ; and on his return he gained one of the elective military tribuneships. Caesar now worked to undo the Sullan constitution in cooperation with Pompey (Gnaeus Pompeius), who had started his career as a lieutenant of Sulla but had changed sides since Sulla’s death. In 69 or 68 bce Caesar was elected quaestor (the first rung on the Roman political ladder). In the same year his wife, Cornelia, and his aunt Julia, Marius’s widow, died. In public funeral orations in their honour, Caesar found opportunities for praising Cinna and Marius. Caesar afterward married Pompeia, a distant relative of Pompey. Caesar served his quaestorship in the province of Farther Spain (modern Andalusia and Portugal ).

Caesar was elected one of the curule aediles for 65 bce , and he celebrated his tenure of this office by unusually lavish expenditure with borrowed money. He was elected pontifex maximus in 63 bce by a political dodge. By now he had become a controversial political figure. After the suppression of Catiline’s conspiracy in 63 bce , Caesar, as well as the millionaire Marcus Licinius Crassus , was accused of complicity. It seems unlikely that either of them had committed himself to Catiline; but Caesar proposed in the Senate a more merciful alternative to the death penalty , which the consul Cicero was asking for the arrested conspirators. In the uproar in the Senate, Caesar’s motion was defeated.

Caesar was elected a praetor for 62 bce . Toward the end of the year of his praetorship, a scandal was caused by Publius Clodius in Caesar’s house at the celebration there of the rites , for women only, of Bona Dea (a Roman deity of fruitfulness, both in the Earth and in women). Caesar consequently divorced Pompeia. He obtained the governorship of Farther Spain for 61–60 bce . His creditors did not let him leave Rome until Crassus had gone bail for a quarter of his debts; but a military expedition beyond the northwest frontier of his province enabled Caesar to win loot for himself as well as for his soldiers, with a balance left over for the treasury. This partial financial recovery enabled him, after his return to Rome in 60 bce , to stand for the consulship for 59 bce .

William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” Essay

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Introduction

Plot development, works cited.

Julius Caesar is probably one of the most referenced works by Shakespeare; it depicts actualities drawn upon the events in the Roman Empire. According to Wyke (4), the play explores the dramatic structure of Julius Caesar’s ambition to take to the throne of the Roman Empire. The drama introduces Julius Caesar as a man with unyielding ambition to the throne, having fought for the good of the nation. Although regarded by many pundits as a hero, Julius Caesar is equally facing opposition to ascend to Roman leadership, and there is a hatched conspiracy to assassinate him (Taylor 301). Tragic events permeate the plot and literary scholars refer to Julius Caesar as a tragedy itself.

After a successful war that saw the killing of Pompey, Caesar returns to Rome to proclaim his Kingship. There is pure irony as a community projects itself to have more regard for an individual than a nation. The culminating events are tense; the nation is appalled, and something has to be done to neutralize the situation. Caesar is a national figure although there is clear polarization in the senate to stop his ascendancy. Overall, Caesar seems to have greater opportunities of ascending to Kinship (Wyke 5).

Despite great opportunity that Caesar wields, Cassius is championing forces to halt Caesar’s ascendancy. Cassius aligns his team and convinces Brutus to be part of this plot. The opposition clout against Caesar thinks he will dominate Rome and subsequently institute tyranny under his watch. Brutus is fronted as the best candidate to face off with Caesar in a duel. Brutus is probably aware of the personal sacrifices and the patriotic commitments that Caesar has made to Rome. Brutus ignores calls to challenge Caesar, and affirms that the nation is greater that all individuals (Taylor 303). The conspirators plot to assassinate Caesar was taken aback by Brutus refusal to challenge Caesar. In the end, Caesar is killed thrashing the nation into panic.

Antony steals an opportunity to make a strong statement in a keynote speech during Caesar’s burial. He, particularly, registers his disgust to the traitors for the wrongs they have done both to Caesar and to the nation. His speech, according to Taylor (305), arouses the nation, making the citizens come out to the streets to protest Caesar’s killing. Antony’s remarks further point a finger at Brutus and Cassius who are jointly suspected to have a hand in the King’s assassination (Taylor 304).

Antony, nonetheless, betrays Brutus and Cassius who confide in him to keep their plot secret. Consequently, Brutus and Cassius flee the city while Antony gets the support of Octavius and Lepidus. Brutus and Cassius decide not to go back to Rome for there lays the wrath of the citizens in their actions. However, despite the title of the play, Brutus and Cassius suffice as the tragic characters due to their conspiracy for personal gains that plunge the country into abject civil war and utter desperation.

Julius Caesar is a replica of what happened in the Roman Empire. It is a confirmation of Shakespeare’s tendency to revise history through drama. In addition, it shows how conspiracy plays out in politics, and how death is the reward of all human ills. Brutus and Cassius commit suicide when they are aware that they can no longer subdue Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus whose firm grip on power is unwavering. Antony seems to have a brighter future in the yet to be established Rome. Despite its historic overtones, Julius Caesar is a tragedy of grand proportions.

Taylor, Myron. “Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and the Irony of History.” Shakespeare Quarterly 24.3 (1973): 301–308. Print.

Wyke, Maria. Julius Caesar in western culture . Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2006. Print.

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Bibliography

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The name Julius Caesar is one that has stood the test of time, evoking images of power, conquest, and ultimate betrayal. As one of the most famous Roman emperors, Caesar's life and legacy have been studied and scrutinized for centuries. From his rise to power to his tragic downfall, his story has captivated the minds of historians, scholars, and everyday people alike. In this article, we will delve into the life of Julius Caesar, exploring the key events and accomplishments that shaped him into one of the greatest leaders of Ancient Rome . We will also examine the impact that he had on the empire and how his legacy continues to influence our world today. Join us on a journey through history as we uncover the fascinating story of Julius Caesar and his lasting mark on the world as we know it. To fully understand Julius Caesar, we must first look at the context of Ancient Rome and its political climate during his time.

This will provide a better understanding of how Caesar rose to power and the events that shaped his reign. Julius Caesar is a name that is known worldwide, even centuries after his death. He was a Roman general, statesman, and historian who played a crucial role in the rise of the Roman Republic and the eventual transition to the Roman Empire . In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the life and legacy of Julius Caesar, examining his early years, rise to power, and lasting impact on world history.

Caesar was born into a patrician family, which gave him a privileged upbringing and access to quality education. His father was a senator and governor, while his mother came from a prominent family. This background set the foundation for Caesar's political ambitions and shaped his character as a leader. As he grew older, Caesar studied rhetoric and law, which honed his skills in public speaking and persuasion.

These skills would prove essential in his future political career. In his early 20s, Caesar joined the military and quickly rose through the ranks due to his bravery and strategic mind. He gained experience in battle and earned the loyalty of his soldiers, who admired his leadership abilities. This would later be crucial in his rise to power.

Next, we will examine Caesar's role in transforming Rome into an empire and the lasting impact he had on world history. After returning from his military campaigns, Caesar used his influence to gain political power in Rome. He formed alliances with influential figures and became consul, the highest position in the Roman Republic. With this power, Caesar implemented reforms that benefited the lower classes and solidified his support among the people.

However, these actions also made him enemies among the elite, leading to a civil war between Caesar and his rival Pompey. Caesar emerged victorious and became the sole ruler of Rome, effectively ending the Republic and ushering in the era of the Roman Empire. This article will also cover key events such as the Gallic Wars and Caesar's assassination, providing insight into his leadership style and political strategies. Caesar's military campaigns in Gaul solidified his reputation as a brilliant commander and expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest extent.

However, his growing power and ambition made him a target for assassination. In 44 BC, a group of senators conspired against Caesar and killed him in the Senate. Despite his death, Julius Caesar's legacy continues to shape the world today. His military conquests, political reforms, and lasting impact on Western civilization make him one of the most influential figures in history.

The Transformation of Rome

The gallic wars.

The Gallic tribes, who had long resisted Roman rule, saw Caesar's appointment as an opportunity to unite and overthrow their oppressors. Caesar quickly realized the threat posed by the Gauls and launched a preemptive strike against them. His tactics were ruthless and effective, often involving surprise attacks and swift movements of his army. One of Caesar's most famous victories during the Gallic Wars was the Battle of Alesia in 52 BC. Against a much larger force led by Gallic leader Vercingetorix, Caesar employed a brilliant strategy of surrounding his enemies and cutting off their supplies. The Romans emerged victorious, solidifying their control over Gaul. Throughout the Gallic Wars, Caesar also implemented tactics such as building fortifications and bridges, using cavalry effectively, and forming alliances with local tribes.

Early Years and Rise to Power

Caesar's early political career began when he was appointed as a military tribune in 69 BC. He quickly rose through the ranks and gained recognition for his bravery and tactical skills on the battlefield. During this time, he also formed important political alliances that would later prove crucial to his rise to power. In 60 BC, Caesar formed the First Triumvirate with two other influential Roman leaders, Pompey and Crassus.

This alliance gave Caesar significant political influence and helped him secure the position of consul in 59 BC. As consul, Caesar implemented important reforms that gained him popularity among the people and further solidified his political power. Despite facing opposition and threats from his political rivals, Caesar continued to rise in power and was eventually appointed as governor of Gaul in 58 BC. During his time in Gaul, he led a series of successful military campaigns that expanded Rome's territory and brought him even more wealth and fame.

Caesar's Assassination and Legacy

Despite warnings from his wife Calpurnia and a soothsayer, Caesar went to the Senate that day, where he was stabbed to death by his own senators, including his close friend Brutus. The aftermath of Caesar's assassination was chaotic and tumultuous. It sparked a power struggle between Caesar's supporters, led by Mark Antony, and the assassins, led by Brutus and Cassius. This ultimately led to the defeat of the conspirators at the Battle of Philippi and the rise of Caesar's adopted son Octavian as the first Emperor of Rome. But Caesar's legacy did not end with his death. He left behind a lasting impact on world history, shaping the political and social landscape of ancient Rome and influencing leaders for centuries to come.

His legacy as a military leader, statesman, and author continues to be studied and admired today. He is credited with expanding the Roman Empire to its greatest extent, introducing significant political and social reforms, and laying the foundation for the Pax Romana - a period of relative peace and stability in the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, Caesar's assassination further solidified the concept of political violence in Roman society. It set a precedent for future leaders to use force and manipulation to gain and maintain power, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Republic and the rise of imperial rule. Julius Caesar's life and legacy continue to fascinate and intrigue people around the world. He was a complex and influential figure who played a crucial role in shaping the Roman Empire and the world as we know it today.

Through his military campaigns, political strategies, and reforms, Caesar left a lasting impact that is still felt in modern society. By understanding his life and legacy, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of Ancient Rome on global events and cultures throughout history.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Julius Caesar — The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A Critical Analysis

The Assassination of Julius Caesar: a Critical Analysis

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

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Introduction, background and context of the assassination, the assassination and its aftermath, overview of julius caesar's rise to power, the political climate in rome leading up to the assassination, the conspirators and their motivations for assassinating caesar, the events leading up to the assassination, the assassination itself and its immediate aftermath, the impact of the assassination on rome and its people.

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Julius Caesar

By: History.com Editors

Updated: September 22, 2023 | Original: October 27, 2009

Julius Caesar was a renowned general, politician and scholar in  ancient Rome who conquered the vast region of Gaul and helped initiate the end of the Roman Republic when he became dictator of the Roman Empire. Despite his brilliant military prowess, his political skills and his popularity with Rome’s lower- and middle-class, his rule was cut short when opponents—threatened by his rising power—brutally assassinated him.

Early Life of Gaius Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar was born on or around July 13, 100 B.C., to his father, also named Gaius Julius Caesar, and his mother Aurelia Cotta. He was also the nephew of the famous Roman general Gaius Marius.

Caesar traced his bloodline to the origins of Rome and claimed to be a descendant of the goddess Venus through the Trojan prince Aeneas and his son Iulus. Despite his allegedly noble heritage, however, Caesar’s family was not wealthy or particularly influential in Roman politics.

Did you know? Unlike in the Shakespeare play, Caesar's last words were not "Et tu, Brute?" ("And you, Brutus?"). Instead they were reported as "You, too, my child?"

After his father died suddenly in 85 B.C., Caesar became head of his family at age 16—right in the middle of a civil war between his uncle Marius and the Roman ruler Lucius Cornelius Sulla. In 84 B.C., he married Cornelia, the daughter of an ally of Marius. Caesar and Cornelia had one child, a daughter named Julia.

In 82 B.C., Sulla won the civil war and ordered Caesar to divorce Cornelia. Caesar refused and went into hiding. His family intervened and convinced Sulla to spare Caesar’s life; however, Sulla stripped Caesar of his inheritance.

Despite the reprieve, Caesar left Rome, joined the army and earned the prestigious Civic Crown for his courage at the Siege of Mytilene in 80 B.C. After Sulla’s death in 78 B.C., Caesar returned to Rome and became a successful prosecutor widely known for his oratory skills.

Pirates Capture Caesar

In 75 B.C., as he crossed the Aegean Sea in route to Rhodes to study philosophy and oratory, murderous pirates captured Caesar. Reportedly, Caesar acted more like a domineering leader with the pirates than their captive.

After his ransom was paid, the pirates let him go. But Caesar hired a private fleet to hunt them down and had the pirates crucified for their crimes .

Ancient Empires

Watch the three-episode documentary event, Ancient Empires . Available to stream now.

Political Rise

Caesar soon began his political career in earnest. He became military tribune and then quaestor of a Roman province in 69 B.C., the same year his wife Cornelia died. In 67 B.C., he married Pompeia, a granddaughter of Sulla and relative of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great), with whom he formed an important alliance.

In 65 B.C., Caesar became aedile—an important Roman magistrate—and produced lavish games in the Circus Maximus which endeared him to the public but threw him heavily into debt. Two years later, he was elected Pontifex Maximus.

Caesar divorced Pompeia in 62 B.C. after a politician incited a major scandal by disguising himself as a woman and making his way into a sacred women’s festival hosted by Pompeia.

The First Triumvirate

One year later, Caesar became governor of Spain. A series of successful military and political maneuvers, along with the support of Pompey and Marcus Licinius Crassus (known as the richest man in Rome), helped Caesar get elected as senior Roman consul in 59 B.C.

Caesar, Crassus and Pompey soon formed an informal alliance (strengthened by the marriage of Caesar’s daughter Julia to Pompey) known as the First Triumvirate. The union terrified the Roman Senate who knew that a partnership between three such powerful men would prove unstoppable. They were right, and the triumvirate soon controlled Rome.

How Julius Caesar’s Assassination Triggered the Fall of the Roman Republic

Julius Caesar’s killers attempted to thwart a dictator. They inadvertently created an emperor.

5 Things You Might Not Know About Julius Caesar

Find out five fascinating facts about the man who famously proclaimed “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

Beware the Ides of March. But Why?

It's unlikely even Shakespeare could have predicted how his famous phrase would have evolved.

Caesar in Gaul

Caesar was appointed governor of the vast region of Gaul (north-central Europe) in 58 B.C., where he commanded a large army. During the subsequent Gallic Wars, Caesar conducted a series of brilliant campaigns to conquer and stabilize the region, earning a reputation as a formidable and ruthless military leader. 

Caesar built a bridge across the Rhine River into Germanic territories and crossed the English Channel into Britain. But his great successes in the region caused Pompey to resent him and complicated the already-strained relationship between Pompey and Crassus.

As Caesar conquered Gaul, the political situation in Rome became increasingly volatile, with Pompey its lone consul. After the deaths of Pompey’s wife (and Caesar’s daughter) Julia in 54 B.C. and Crassus in 53 B.C., Pompey aligned with Caesar’s opponents and ordered him to give up his army and return to Rome. 

Caesar refused and, in a bold and decisive maneuver, directed his army to cross the Rubicon River into Italy, triggering a civil war between his supporters and those of Pompey. Caesar and his armies pursued Pompey to Spain, Greece and, finally, Egypt.

Julius Caesar and Cleopatra

Hoping to prevent Caesar from invading Egypt, the child pharaoh Ptolemy VIII had Pompey killed on September 28, 48 B.C. When Caesar entered Egypt, Ptolemy gifted him Pompey’s severed head.

Caesar soon found himself in the middle of a civil war between Ptolemy and his Egyptian co-regent  Cleopatra . Caesar became her lover and partnered with her to overthrow Ptolemy and make her ruler of Egypt. The pair never married but their long-term affair produced a son, Ptolemy XV Caesar, known as Caesarion.

Dictatorship

Caesar spent the next few years wiping out his enemies and what remained of Pompey’s supporters in the Middle East, Africa and Spain. 

In 46 B.C. he was made dictator of Rome for ten years, outraging his political opponents and setting the stage for the eventual end of the Roman Republic. Caesar began making several drastic reforms to benefit Rome’s lower- and middle class, including:

• regulating the distribution of subsidized grain
• increasing the size of the Senate to represent more people
• reducing government debt
• supporting military veterans
• granting Roman citizenship to people in Rome's far-flung territories
• reforming the Roman tax codes
• creating the Julian calendar

Julius Caesar Quotes

Many people still consider Caesar a great leader with keen insights into human nature. Over the centuries, many of his words have become famous quotes, such as:

• “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
• “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.”
• “The die has been cast.”
• “If I fail, it is only because I have too much pride and ambition.”
• “In the end, it is impossible to become what others believe you are.”
• “As a rule, men worry more about what they can’t see than about what they can.”
• “No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.”
• “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”
• “There are no tricks in plain and simple faith.”
• “Which death is preferable to every other? The unexpected.”

Assassination

Caesar declared himself dictator for life in 44 B.C. However, his crusade for absolute power didn’t go over well with many Roman politicians. Fearing he would become king, a group of senators conspired to end his life.

On the Ides of March (March 15, 44 B.C.), the senators, led by Gaius Cassius Longinus,  Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus  and Marcus Junius Brutus , stabbed Caesar 23 times, ending both his reign and his life as he fell bleeding onto the Senate floor at the feet of a statue of Pompey .

Caesar’s assassination  at age 55 made him a martyr and incited a cycle of civil wars resulting in the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise to power of his grandnephew and heir Gaius Octavius (Octavian)—later known as Augustus Caesar —to emperor of the Roman Empire. 

Play: 'The Tragedy of Julius Caesar'

In 1599, William Shakespeare wrote The Tragedy of Julius Caesar , a play based on Caesar’s life. Set in 44 B.C., it tells the story of a Roman politician named Brutus who plots with others to assassinate Caesar. It also portrays Caesar’s brutal murder and the aftermath.

The play is thought to have made its debut in 1599 at the Globe Theater in London and continues to mesmerize audiences to this day, inspiring songs, novels, films, television shows and even comedy acts. It has also provided many well-known quotes—attributed to Shakespeare, not Caesar— including:

• “Et tu, Brute?”
• “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”
• “The fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves.”
• “Beware the Ides of March.”
• “Death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.”

A Timeline of the Life of Julius Caesar. San Joseʹ State University. Julius Caesar. Ancient History Encyclopedia. The Reader’s Companion to Military History. Edited by Robert Cowley and Geoffrey Parker. Houghton Mifflin Books . 

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Julius Caesar

Roman general and statesman Julius Caesar turned the Roman Republic into the powerful Roman Empire. An assassination ended his reign on the Ides of March.

Quick Facts

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Julius Caesar was a leader of ancient Rome who significantly transformed what became known as the Roman Empire by greatly expanding its geographic reach and establishing its imperial system. Allegedly a descendant of Trojan prince Aeneas, Caesar’s birth marked the beginning of a new chapter in Roman history. By age 31, Caesar had fought in several wars and become involved in Roman politics. After several alliances and military victories, he became dictator of the Roman Empire, a rule that lasted for just one year before his death in 44 BCE.

FULL NAME: Gaius Julius Caesar BORN: July 12, 100 BCE DIED: March 15, 44 BCE BIRTHPLACE: Rome, Italy SPOUSE: Cornelia (84–69 BCE), Pompeia (67–62 BCE), Calpurnia (59–44 BCE) CHILDREN: Julia Caesaris, Caesarion ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Cancer

Born Gaius Julius Caesar on July 12, 100 BCE, Caesar hailed from Roman aristocrats, though his family was far from rich. Little is known of Caesar’s early years, but during his youth an element of instability dominated the Roman Republic, which had discredited its nobility and seemed unable to handle its considerable size and influence.

When he was 16, his father, an important regional governor in Asia also named Gaius Julius Caesar, died. He remained close to his mother, Aurelia. Around the time of his father’s death, Caesar made a concerted effort to establish key alliances with the country’s nobility, with whom he was well-connected.

In 84 BCE, Caesar married Cornelia, the daughter of a nobleman. Caesar’s marriage to Cornelia drew the ire of the Roman dictator Sulla, as Cornelia’s father was Sulla’s political rival. Sulla ordered Caesar to divorce his wife or risk losing his property. The young Roman refused and escaped by serving in the military, first in the province of Asia and then in Cilicia. Caesar likely returned to Rome after Sulla’s death circa 79 BCE (another account states Caesar, with the help of his influential friends, eventually convinced Sulla to be allowed to return).

Back in Rome, Caesar and Cornelia had a daughter, Julia Caesaris, in 76 BCE. In 69 BCE, Cornelia passed away.

After Sulla’s death, Caesar began his career in politics as a prosecuting advocate. He relocated temporarily to Rhodes to study philosophy.

During his travels he was kidnapped by pirates. In a daring display of his negotiation skills and counter-insurgency tactics, he convinced his captors to raise his ransom, then organized a naval force to attack them. The pirates were captured and executed.

Caesar further enhanced his stature in 74 BCE when he put together a private army and combated Mithradates VI Eupator, king of Pontus, who had declared war on Rome.

Caesar began an alliance with Gnaeus Pompey Magnus, a powerful military and political leader. Soon after, in 68 or 69 BCE, he was elected quaestor (a minor political office). Caesar went on to serve in several other key government positions.

In 67 BCE, Caesar married Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla. Their marriage lasted just a few years, and in 62 BCE, the couple divorced.

In 61 to 60 BCE, Caesar served as governor of the Roman province of Spain. Caesar maintained his alliance with Pompey, which enabled him to get elected as consul, a powerful government position, in 59 BCE.

The same year, Caesar wed Calpurnia, a teenager to whom he remained married for the rest of his life. (He also had several mistresses, including Cleopatra VII , Queen of Egypt, with whom he had a son, Caesarion.)

First Triumvirate

At the same time Caesar was governing under Pompey, he aligned himself with the wealthy military leader Marcus Licinius Crassus. The strategic political alliance among Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus came to be known as the First Triumvirate.

For Caesar, the First Triumvirate partnership was the perfect springboard to greater domination. Crassus, a leader known as the richest man in Roman history, offered Caesar financial and political support that proved to be instrumental in his rise to power.

Crassus and Pompey, however, were intense rivals. Once again, Caesar displayed his abilities as a negotiator, earning the trust of both Crassus and Pompey and convincing them they’d be better suited as allies than as enemies.

Early Rule and Gallic Wars

In a controversial move, Caesar tried to pay off Pompey’s soldiers by granting them public lands. Caesar hired some of Pompey’s soldiers to stage a riot. In the midst of all the chaos, he got his way.

Not long after, Caesar secured the governorship of Gaul (modern-day France and Belgium). This allowed him to build a bigger military and begin the kind of campaigns that would cement his status as one of Rome’s all-time great leaders. Between 58 and 50 BCE, Caesar conquered the rest of Gaul up to the river Rhine.

As he expanded his reach, Caesar was ruthless with his enemies. In one instance he waited until his opponent’s water supply had dried up, then ordered the hands of all the remaining survivors be cut off.

All the while, he was mindful of the political scene back home in Rome, hiring key political agents to act on his behalf.

Civil War Against Pompey

As Julius Caesar’s power and prestige grew, Pompey grew envious of his political partner. Meanwhile, Crassus still had never completely overcome his disdain for Pompey.

The three leaders patched things up temporarily in 56 BCE at a conference in Luca, which cemented Caesar’s existing territorial rule for another five years, granted Crassus a five-year term in Syria, and accorded Pompey a five-year term in Spain.

Three years later, however, Crassus was killed in a battle in Syria. Around this time, Pompey—his old suspicions about Caesar’s rise reignited—commanded that Caesar disband his army and return to Rome as a private citizen.

Crossing the Rubicon

Rather than submit to Pompey’s command, on January 10, 49 BCE, Caesar ordered his powerful army to cross the Rubicon River in northern Italy and march toward Rome. As Pompey further aligned himself with nobility, who increasingly saw Caesar as a national threat, civil war between the two leaders proved to be inevitable. Pompey and his troops, however, were no match for Caesar’s military prowess. Pompey fled Rome and eventually landed in Greece, where his troops were defeated by Caesar’s legions.

By late 48 BCE, Caesar had subdued Pompey and his supporters in Italy, Spain, and Greece, finally chasing Pompey into Egypt. The Egyptians, however, knew of Pompey’s defeats and believed the gods favored Caesar: Pompey was assassinated as soon as he stepped ashore in Egypt. Caesar claimed to be outraged over Pompey’s murder. After having Pompey’s assassins put to death, he met with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII.

Caesar and Cleopatra forged an alliance (and a sexual relationship) that ousted her brother and co-regent, Ptolemy XIII, and placed Cleopatra on the throne of Egypt. A skilled political tactician, she and her son by Caesar, Caesarion, proved instrumental in international affairs for years, culminating in her liaison with Roman general Mark Antony .

Upon his triumphant return to Rome, Caesar was hailed as the father of his country and made dictator for life. Although he would serve just a year’s term, Caesar’s rule proved instrumental in reforming Rome for his countrymen.

Caesar greatly transformed the empire, relieving debt and reforming the Senate by increasing its size and opening it up so that it better represented all Romans. He altered the Roman calendar and reorganized the construction of local government.

Caesar also resurrected two city-states, Carthage and Corinth, which had been destroyed by his predecessors. And he granted citizenship to a number of foreigners. A benevolent victor, Caesar even invited some of his defeated rivals to join him in the government.

At the same time, Caesar was also careful to solidify his power and rule. He stuffed the Senate with allies and required it to grant him honors and titles. He spoke first at assembly meetings, and Roman coins bore his face.

Although Caesar’s reforms greatly enhanced his standing with Rome’s lower- and middle-class populations, his increasing power was met with envy, concern, and angst in the Roman Senate. A number of politicians saw Caesar as an aspiring king.

And Romans had no desire for monarchical rule: Legend has it that it had been five centuries since they’d last allowed a king to rule them. Caesar’s inclusion of former Roman enemies in the government helped seal his downfall.

Caesar was assassinated by political rivals in Rome on the Ides of March —March 15—in 44 BCE. It’s not clear whether Caesar knew of the plot to kill him: By all accounts, he planned to leave Rome on March 18 for a military campaign in what is now modern-day Iraq, where he hoped to avenge the losses suffered by his former political ally Crassus.

Who Killed Julius Caesar?

Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus , former rivals of Caesar who’d joined the Roman Senate, led Caesar’s assassination. Cassius and Brutus dubbed themselves “the liberators.”

Brutus’ involvement in the killing packed the most complicated backstory. During Rome’s earlier civil war, he had originally sided with Caesar’s opponent, Pompey. But after Caesar’s victory over Pompey, Brutus was encouraged to join the government. His mother, Servilia, was also one of Caesar’s lovers.

After Caesar’s Death

After his death, Caesar quickly became a martyr in the new Roman Empire. A mob of lower- and middle-class Romans gathered at Caesar’s funeral, with the angry crowd attacking the homes of Cassius and Brutus.

Just two years after his death, Caesar became the first Roman figure to be deified. The Senate also gave him the title “The Divine Julius.”

A power struggle ensued in Rome, leading to the end of the Roman Republic. Caesar’s great-grandnephew Gaius Octavian played on the late ruler’s popularity, assembling an army to fight back the military troops defending Cassius and Brutus. His victory over Caesar’s assassins allowed Octavian, who assumed the name Augustus, to take power in 27 BCE and become the first Roman emperor.

In November 2017, archaeologists announced the discovery of what they believed to be the first evidence of Caesar’s invasion of Britain in 54 BCE. The excavation of a new road in Ebbsfleet, Kent, revealed a 5-meter-wide defensive ditch and the remains of pottery and weapons. Experts from the University of Leicester and Kent County Council said the location was consistent with accounts of the invasion from the time period, and enabled them to pinpoint nearby Pegwell Bay as the likely landing spot for Caesar’s fleet.

Julius Caesar’s last days and the ensuing political clash between Octavian, Cassius, and Brutus have been famously captured in the five-act tragic play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare . It was first produced in 1599 or 1600, around the opening of the Globe Theater, and continues to entertain audiences today. Joseph Mankiewicz ’s 1953 film adaptation of the play—starring Louis Calhern as Caesar, Marlon Brando as Mark Antony, James Mason as Brutus, and John Gielgud as Cassius—is one of the most enduring retellings on the silver screen.

• For the immortal gods are accustomed at times to grant favorable circumstances and long impunity to men whom they wish to punish for their crime, so that they may smart the more severely from a change of fortune.
• If you must break the law, do it to seize power: In all other cases, observe it.
• What we wish, we readily believe, and what we ourselves think, we imagine others think also.
• The res publica is nothing—a mere name without body or shape.
• You too, my child?
• Now that I am the leading Roman of my day, it will be harder to pull me down from first to second place than degrade me to the ranks.
• No, I am Caesar, not king.
• For those closest to a man ought not to allow his death to end their loyalty to him.
• An omen! A prodigy! Let us march where we are called by such a divine intimation. The die is cast.
• I merely want to protect myself against the slanders of my enemies.
• My aim is to outdo others in justice and equity, as I have previously striven to outdo them in achievement.
• I came, I saw, I conquered.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Julius caesar.

Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician who named himself dictator of the Roman Empire, a rule that lasted less than one year before he was famously assassinated by political rivals in 44 B.C.

Anthropology, Archaeology, Social Studies, World History

Gaius Julius Caesar was a crafty military leader who rose through the ranks of the Roman Republic, ultimately declaring himself dictator for life and shaking the foundations of Rome itself.

Photograph by James L. Stanfield, National Geographic

Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician who named himself dictator of the Roman Empire, a rule that lasted less than one year before he was famously assassinated by political rivals in 44 B.C.E.

Caesar was born on July 12 or 13 in 100 B.C.E. to a noble family. During his youth, the Roman Republic was in chaos . Seizing the opportunity, Caesar advanced in the political system and briefly became governor of Spain, a Roman province.

Returning to Rome, he formed political alliances that helped him become governor of Gaul , an area that included what is now France and Belgium. His Roman troops conquered Gallic tribes by exploiting tribal rivalries . Throughout his eight-year governorship , he increased his military power and, more importantly, acquired plunder from Gaul . When his rivals in Rome demanded he return as a private citizen , he used these riches to support his army and marched them across the Rubicon River, crossing from Gaul into Italy. This sparked a civil war between Caesar’s forces and forces of his chief rival for power, Pompey, from which Caesar emerged victorious .

Returning to Italy, Caesar consolidated his power and made himself dictator . He wielded his power to enlarge the senate, created needed government reforms, and decreased Rome’s debt. At the same time, he sponsored the building of the Forum Iulium and rebuilt two city-states, Carthage and Corinth. He also granted citizenship to foreigners living within the Roman Republic.

In 44 B.C.E., Caesar declared himself dictator for life. His increasing power and great ambition agitated many senators who feared Caesar aspired to be king. Only a month after Caesar’s declaration, a group of senators, among them Marcus Junius Brutus, Caesar’s second choice as heir, and Gaius Cassius Longinus assassinated Caesar in fear of his absolute power.

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Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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Who was Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar transformed Rome from a republic to an empire, grabbing power through ambitious political reforms.

Few Romans would have chosen young Julius Caesar (ca 100–44 B.C.) as the man most likely to succeed on a grand scale and dominate their world. But when he led his troops across the Rubicon River in defiance of the Roman Senate , he distinguished himself for the ages and set Rome on a path of transformation from republic to empire.

Caesar made the political prime time at around age 40 by forging the First Triumvirate with Pompey the Great, noted general and statesman, and Marcus Licinius Crassus, one of Rome’s richest men. In 59 B.C., Caesar was elected consul.

He knew he needed a great military victory to win lasting glory beyond politics, so he set out to conquer the long-defiant Gauls—Celts who lived in modern-day France. Caesar’s seven-year Gaul campaign ended triumphantly in 51 B.C. The Gaul leader Vercingetorix was paraded in chains through Rome before being ritually strangled. In all, Caesar’s campaign killed or enslaved more than a million Gauls, a crushing victory that deepened the growing rivalry with Pompey, who had taken Caesar’s place as consul.

In January 49 B.C., Julius Caesar and his army crossed the Rubicon River into Italy, the boundary beyond which he could not legally command troops. The act was a declaration of civil war and a direct challenge to Pompey and his troops, who were enlisted to protect the interests of the Senate. Caesar drove Pompey out of Italy and chased him to Greece. Though Pompey had assembled an army twice the size of Caesar’s, Caesar defeated him decisively at Pharsalus in 48 B.C.

Pompey fled to Egypt, but he was betrayed and killed when he came ashore. As Caesar pursued Pompey loyalists in North Africa, he became politically and romantically entangled with the queen Cleopatra and had a son with her named Caesarion.

Caesar returned, triumphant, to Rome in 46 B.C. As ruler, he enacted several beneficial measures for Rome. He increased the size of the Senate for broader participation and opened citizenship to more foreigners. He also was magnanimous to his opponents, including Marcus Junius Brutus, a supporter of Pompey.

Caesar’s ambitious power grabs through political reform alienated many senators. When he declared himself dictator for life in 45 B.C., he sealed his fate. Threatened by Caesar’s tyranny, a group of conspirators—led by Brutus—plotted against him. On the Ides of March (March 15), 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated , stabbed 23 times.

Though the conspirators eliminated Caesar himself, they neither thwarted his plans nor saved the republic. His designated heir, Octavian, outlasted Caesar’s antagonists and became the first Roman emperor. In keeping with Caesar’s eternal quest for glory, in death he acquired one last title and tribute. The Senate posthumously granted him the title Divine Julius, making him the first historical Roman to be deified.

Related Topics

• ANCIENT ROME
• ANCIENT HISTORY
• PEOPLE AND CULTURE

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