Julius Caesar

NAME Julius Caesar

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Roman general who conquered Gaul (modern-day France)

Statesman who played a critical role in the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire

Dictator of Rome for a brief period before his assassination

Roman statesman and general

BIRTH Born July 12, 102 BC in Rome. His birth was via Caesarian section, hence his name "Caesar," derived from the Latin "Caedere" meaning "to cut."

FAMILY BACKGROUND Julius Caesar hailed from a distinguished lineage, tracing his roots back to the Roman aristocracy.  He belonged to the prestigious Julian clan, known for its ancient heritage. However, despite their noble blood, the Julii Caesares weren't particularly wealthy by Roman aristocratic standards. Though his father, Gaius Julius Caesar (also a praetor), and his mother, Aurelia Cotta (from a prominent plebeian family), held respectable positions, the family lacked recent figures of significant political power.

A key connection for Caesar came through his aunt, Julia. Married to Gaius Marius, a celebrated general and reformer of the Roman army, she linked Caesar to the Populares faction within the Senate.

CHILDHOOD Caesar possessed a flamboyant streak even as a youth.  He was known for daring horseback riding, showcasing his skill by riding at full speed without stirrups and even holding his hands behind his head.  

EDUCATION Caesar  mastered several languages, including Hebrew and Gallic dialects, a valuable asset in his future endeavors.

Caesar's thirst for knowledge and oratory skills led him to Rhodes in 76 BC. This brief hiatus from his early political career allowed him to hone his rhetorical talents through formal education.  While details are unclear, some accounts mention an incident where Caesar took a leadership role during his studies, perhaps foreshadowing his future ambitions.

CAREER RECORD Caesar rose through the Roman  ranks through bribes and his gift for oratory, always maintaining a huge workload.

81 BC: Joined the army in Asia in the war against Mithridates, King of Pontus.

78 BC: Returned to Rome to pursue a career in law.

68 BC: Became Quaestor in Spain and secured a seat in the Senate.

67 BC: Returned to Rome as leader of the popular party.

65 BC: Formed a political alliance with Crassus and was put in charge of buildings and games.

63 BC: Elected chief pontiff.

61 BC: Became Governor of Spain.

60 BC: Formed the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus.

59 BC: Served as Consul, then became governor of Gaul.

49 BC: After Crassus died, Caesar and Pompey became rivals, leading to a civil war.

46 BC: Defeated Pompey and his sons, and was awarded a ten-year dictatorship.

APPEARANCE  Julius Caesar's physical presence was striking.  He had a well-proportioned head with a strong jaw and prominent brow.  His piercing dark eyes conveyed intelligence and intensity.  Caesar kept his hair short, likely due to early balding, which was a concern for Romans who viewed a full head of hair as desirable.  He maintained a clean-shaven face and a lean, athletic build.

Caesar was known for his meticulous personal grooming.  He reportedly removed unwanted body hair and was likely left-handed.  Despite his efforts, his receding hairline remained a source of self-consciousness, as baldness wasn't considered ideal in Roman society.

Below is the Tusculum portrait, possibly the only surviving sculpture of Caesar made during his lifetime.

FASHION Caesar's image was carefully cultivated.  Self-conscious about his baldness, a social disadvantage in Rome, he famously lobbied the Senate to wear a laurel wreath constantly – a mark of victory that conveniently disguised his receding hairline.  He maintained a meticulously groomed appearance, reportedly plucking facial hair with tweezers daily.

In contrast to the Britons he described during the Gaul uprising, Caesar often went bareheaded, showcasing his clean-shaven face and preference for neatness.  His attire, however, could be striking.  During the 52 BC Gallic uprising, he stood out in a scarlet cloak, a bold statement on the battlefield.  His writings highlight the stark contrast between his Roman soldiers and the Britons he encountered at Deal, who surprised him by fighting naked except for blue body paint and minimal jewelry.

CHARACTER Bold, ambitious, and intelligent. Some considered Caesar ruthless and power-hungry.

Caesar's youth was marked by a potent mix of confidence and ambition.  He possessed a certain aristocratic swagger and youthful exuberance.  His ambition was undeniable, famously captured in the statement: "I would rather be first in a little Iberian village than second in Rome."  However, some, like G.B. Shaw, viewed his pragmatism as a lack of originality or moral conviction.

Despite this interpretation, Caesar's charisma and bravery were undeniable.  He refused a bodyguard, stating, "It is better to die once rather than live always in fear of death."  This unwavering confidence stemmed from a belief in his own destiny, a belief in his "star" that would guide his path.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Caesar had a serious character but maintained a mask of smiling, light-hearted gaiety.

RELATIONSHIPS Caesar married Cornelia, daughter of Cinna, a leader of the Populist Democratic party, at age 17. Sulla ordered Caesar to divorce her, but he refused. After about thirteen years of marriage, Cornelia died early in her husband's quaestorship, which occurred in BC 69 or 68.

In 67 BC, Julius Caesar married Pompeia. She was the daughter of Quintus Pompeius Rufus, a son of a former consul, and Cornelia, the daughter of the Roman dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Their union coincided with his rise to prominence, as he was elected Pontifex Maximus, Rome's chief priest, just two years later in 63 BC. This prestigious position came with an official residence on the Via Sacra.

However, scandal soon struck.  In 62 BC, Pompeia hosted a religious festival restricted to women, the Bona Dea. A young patrician named Publius Clodius snuck in disguised as a woman, allegedly seeking to seduce Pompeia. When discovered, Clodius was prosecuted for sacrilege. Though Caesar himself offered no evidence against Clodius, who was ultimately acquitted, the incident cast a shadow on Pompeia's reputation.

Caesar, unwilling to tolerate any hint of impropriety, divorced Pompeia.  He famously declared, "My wife ought not even to be under suspicion," a statement that birthed the proverb "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion." This phrase emphasizes the importance of impeccable conduct for those associated with powerful figures.

Julius Caesar married 17-year-old Calpurnia in 59 BC, during his consulship. Described as modest and reserved, Calpurnia seems to have been a devoted wife, tolerating Caesar's known extramarital affairs.

Engraving of Calpurnia by Hubertus Quellinus

Rumors of Caesar's philandering were rife.  He was said to have seduced the wives of prominent allies and maintained a long-term relationship with Servilia, an open secret in Rome.  His affairs extended beyond Roman borders, including the Mauretanian queen, Eunoë.

But his most famous entanglement was with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt.  She claimed Caesar fathered her son, Caesarion.  Despite these relationships, Caesar's marriage to Calpurnia remained childless.

Caesar was nicknamed "the bald adulterer" by soldiers.

MONEY AND FAME Caesar's ambition came at a cost.  Early in his career, he heavily burdened himself with debt to gain favor with the Roman populace.  He lavishly funded public games, including a spectacular event that diverted the Tiber River for a theatrical performance.  These extravagant displays earned him popularity but left him teetering on financial ruin, with debts reaching millions of Euros in today's terms.

However, Caesar was a shrewd politician.  In 59 BC, he enacted an anti-corruption law, aiming to clean up the Roman political scene.  By 45 BC, his influence reached unprecedented heights.  His image adorned Roman coins, a mark of his power.  He even rejected a crown offered by Mark Antony, perhaps wary of appearing too kingly.

Despite his official recognition as a god and a temple dedicated to him, Caesar cultivated a more charismatic image.  His smile and charm were legendary, and he exuded an aura of destiny.  He embraced grandeur, living a life of luxury and ceremony.  Interestingly, his soldiers were paid in salt, a valuable commodity in Roman times, which is believed to be the origin of the word "salary."

FOOD AND DRINK Caesar hosted a banquet for up to 260,000 guests to celebrate his victory over Pompey. 

In a gluttonous age, Caesar himself was known for moderation in his food and drink.  Even during military campaigns, he shared the same rations and beverages as his soldiers, demonstrating a connection and willingness to endure hardship alongside his men.

MUSIC AND ARTS The Roman legions sang filthy songs about Julius Caesar, which the Roman authorities tried to ban.

LITERATURE Caesar started one of the earliest newspapers, the Acta Diurna (The Daily News), containing daily announcements of various orders, marriages, births, deaths, military appointments, and more. It was written on a board in public places in Rome. 

Caesar's accounts of his invasion of Britain and the subdual of Gaul are familiar to Latin students. His De Bello Gallico and De Bello Civile are models of simple and clear military history writing. He wrote in a clear and simple style, using the third person and favoring the ablative absolute construction.

NATURE It is likely that herding dogs were brought to England by Caesar during his 55 BC invasion and interbred with local dogs.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Caesar understood the importance of personal connection.  During his time overseeing public games in 66 BC, he used the opportunity to stage spectacular events in the Circus Maximus, boosting his popularity with the public.  However, these extravagant displays came at a significant cost, adding to his already substantial debt.

Caesar possessed impressive physical prowess.  A skilled swordsman and horseman, he was renowned for his stamina and endurance.  He could reportedly march alongside his legionaries for days, keeping pace with even the most seasoned soldiers.  His athleticism wasn't limited to land; he was also a superb swimmer, famously braving rough waters with his sword in his teeth and military commentaries held high above the water.

Caesar was known to participate in sigillography, the collection and study of seals and their symbolism.  This seemingly unlikely hobby hints at a curious and multifaceted personality.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Caesar formulated the Julian calendar with the help of Egyptian astronomers.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY A far-seeing statesman, Caesar believed, "Men are nearly always willing to believe what they wish to be true." 

He led by example, and refused to sleep in a tent when his men were out in the cold and wet.

SCANDAL Caesar was known for his political ambitions and economic manipulation. He conquered Gaul for political gain and was often economical with the truth when reporting his British campaigns. During his journey to his rhetoric course, Caesar was captured by pirates and held for ransom. He joked with the pirates about how he would capture and crucify them. Once the ransom was paid, Caesar gathered a fleet, captured the pirates, and crucified them.

Accused of involvement in a conspiracy and criticized for his relationship with Cleopatra.

MILITARY RECORD  Julius Caesar possessed a remarkably clear mind for military strategy, modeling his approach on that of Alexander the Great.

1. PAYING HIS SOLDIERS Caesar paid his soldiers in salt, a valuable commodity in Roman times, rather than money. This practice led to the term "salary" originating from the Latin word for salt, "sal."

2. QUICK CAMPAIGNS In his swift campaign against King Pharnaces in Zela, Asia Minor, in 47 BC, Caesar famously summarized his victory with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered").

3. SECRET MESSAGES Caesar used a simple cipher for passing secret messages, advancing each letter of the alphabet by one place. For example, his name "Caesar" would be encoded as "Dbftbs."

4. LEADING FROM THE FRONT

Even nearing the age of 50, Caesar fought in the front lines with his troops. His presence and active participation in battle greatly encouraged his soldiers, who admired him and found renewed vigor in his leadership. He often marched alongside his legionaries on foot, outpacing them to set the rhythm for his cavalry, and would seize a spade to help his men dig in during fortifications.

5. CONQUEST OF GAUL

From 58 to 50 BC, Caesar subdued Gaul, selling thousands of Belgic tribespeople into slavery through the total annihilation of Gaelic forces. At the Battle of Alcae in Gaul, his 70,000 troops, though outnumbered 5:1, emerged victorious. Caesar's leadership was pivotal, as he led from the front. According to Plutarch, the entire campaign resulted in the conquest of 800 cities, the subjugation of 300 tribes, one million men sold into slavery, and another three million dead on the battlefields. While ancient historians often exaggerated such figures, Caesar's conquest of Gaul was undoubtedly the greatest military triumph since Alexander the Great's campaigns.

Gallic king Vercingetorix throws down his arms at the feet of Julius Caesar, painting by Lionel Royer in 1899

EXPEDITIONS TO BRITAIN In 55 and 54 BC, Caesar crossed to Britain in response to the Britons aiding his enemies in Gaul. He lost many ships due to inadequate beaching, failing to account for the tides. The woad-painted inhabitants of Kent outmatched Caesar's Romans, preventing them from advancing beyond the beach. Both expeditions failed to secure a foothold, and Caesar withdrew to Gaul, although he did bring several tribes to heel on his second attempt. Militarily, these ventures were disasters and the biggest blow to Anglo-Italian relations until the release of "Save Your Love" by Renée and Renato almost 2,000 years later.

CROSSING THE RUBICON In 49 BC, Caesar crossed the Rubicon, declaring "Alea iacta est" ("The die is cast"), an act of treason that ignited a civil war against Pompey. The Rubicon was a stream dividing Caesar's province from Italy proper. Despite initiating the Civil War, Caesar's leniency led him to repeatedly face the same enemies. He defeated Pompey at Pharsalus.

AFRICAN CAMPAIGN When he landed at Adrumetum in Africa, Caesar tripped and fell, which was considered unlucky in Roman tradition. He quickly kissed the ground, saying, "Thus do I take possession of thee, North Africa."

EGYPTIAN CIVIL WAR In 47 BC, while in Egypt, Caesar involved himself in the Egyptian civil war.

FINAL VICTORY IN SPAIN In 45 BC, Caesar's final victory at Munda in Spain over the sons of Pompey solidified his position as the sole leader of the Roman world.

As Tim Finn of Crowded House succinctly put it in "Weather For You," "Julius Caesar blue, couldn't conquer the sky."

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Caesar maintained a healthy lifestyle and was known for his riding and military prowess. 

He suffered from epilepsy and migraine headaches

HOMES Caesar lived in various locations throughout Rome, including his family home on the Palatine Hill. 

Caesar's palace was located in Subura. Contrary to what one might expect, it was quite a modest house. It frequently served as the site for Caesar's dinner parties.

TRAVEL Caesar traveled extensively throughout the Roman world during his military campaigns.

When Caesar invaded Britain, he lost many ships due to insufficiently beaching them and not accounting for the tides, a mistake likely due to the lack of significant tides in the Mediterranean.

In 45 BC, due to increasing traffic congestion, Caesar banned all wheeled vehicles, including chariots, from the center of Rome during daylight hours.

Caesar crossed the River Thames at Brentford, where a stone marked the spot of the crossing.

DEATH Caesar was killed by a republican group on the Ides of March (March 15) at the Senate house.

The Death of Caesar (1798) by Vincenzo Camuccini

On the night before the fatal Ides of March in 44 BC, Caesar's wife, Calpurnia, had a fearful dream and begged him not to attend the festival. The day before his assassination, while dining with friends, Caesar was asked what kind of death he thought was best. He replied, "A sudden one." That night, Caesar's ceremonial armor fell with a great crash.

Fearing Caesar's growing power and ambitions for absolute rule, a conspiracy formed, involving some 60 individuals.  Ironically, one of the assassins, Marcus Brutus, was considered a close friend and confidante of Caesar, even viewed as a son by some accounts.

A fateful twist unfolded moments before the attack.  A Greek scholar named Artemidorus reportedly approached Caesar, thrusting a note into his hand that detailed the assassination plot.  Preoccupied with other matters, Caesar tragically ignored the warning.  He entered the Senate chamber, note still clutched, where the conspirators awaited.  Armed with daggers, they descended upon Caesar, inflicting 23 wounds.

Caesar is said to have recognized Brutus among his attackers.  Defeated and heartbroken, he surrendered to his fate.  

Following the assassination, a celestial event added an eerie touch - the appearance of a comet, the Julium Sidus.  

Caesar's funeral was a spectacle of public mourning, with magistrates carrying his body.  However, the act of assassination sparked outrage.  Angry mobs set fire to the homes of Brutus and his co-conspirators, forcing them into exile.  Legend suggests Brutus eventually sought refuge in Britain.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Julius Caesar has been portrayed in numerous works of literature, film, and television, solidifying his place in popular culture.

Famous examples include William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar and the HBO series Rome.

Handel wrote an opera titled "Giulio Cesare."

ACHIEVEMENTS Caesar's achievements are vast and long-lasting. He:

Conquered Gaul, significantly expanding the Roman Empire.

Reformed the Roman calendar, which is still the basis for our modern calendar.

Introduced social and political reforms aimed at improving the lives of Roman citizens.

Authored influential military commentaries that continue to be studied today.

Played a pivotal role in the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

The King of Diamonds in a deck of cards represents Julius Caesar.

Sources 4,000 Amazing Trivia Facts, Faber Book of Anecdotes