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Julius Caesar lived from 100–144 BC.  He was a [[Roman]] military & political leader and one of  most influential people in [[history]].  A brilliant general, he laid the groundwork for the future Roman empire.  

 

'''Julius Caesar''' lived from 100–144 BC.  He was a [[Roman]] military & political leader and one of  most influential people in [[history]].  A brilliant general, he laid the groundwork for the future [[Roman empire]].  

==Early Political Career==

==Early Political Career==

In 60 B.C. Julius Caesar joined with the wealthy [[Marcus Crassus]] and the powerful Roman general and statesman [[Pompey the Great]] to rule [[Rome]] as the first triumvirate. In 59 B.C. Julius Caesar became consular and used his position to gain favour with the public, such as by distributing grain to the poor.  

In 60 B.C. Julius Caesar joined with the wealthy [[Marcus Crassus]] and the powerful Roman general and statesman [[Pompey the Great]] to rule [[Rome]] as the first [[triumvirate]]. In 59 B.C. Julius Caesar became consular and used his position to gain favour with the public, such as by distributing grain to the poor.  

Julius Caesar then made himself the provincial ruler (proconsul) of [[Gaul]] (modern-day [[France]]). He conquered vast amounts of territory for Rome and, while fighting abroad, send written reports back to Rome of the victories he was winning to sustain his popularity and to ensure that the people did not forget him. Back in Rome, Julius Caesar’s plan was working, and Pompey became increasingly jealous (by this time, Crassus had died in battle). Pompey, with the support of the Senate, objected to Julius Caesar’s actions and ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome. He refused, and in an act of direct defiance to the [[Senate]], led his loyal troops across the Rubicon River to Rome and conquered it in 49 B.C. The expression, “crossing the Rubicon” is used today to describe an act from which there is no turning back. Julius Caesar went on to defeat Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 B.C. This left Julius Caesar firming in control of Rome, and he then took his unbeatable army on campaigns in [[Egypt]] (where he installed ally [[Cleopatra]] as queen), Asia Minor,[[Africa]] and [[Spain]] before returning to Rome again in 45 B.C. Rome ruled much of the civilized world as result of these military campaigns. The Roman Senate appointed Julius Caesar as dictator for life in 46 B.C.  

Julius Caesar then made himself the provincial ruler (proconsul) of [[Gaul]] (modern-day [[France]]). He conquered vast amounts of territory for Rome and, while fighting abroad, send written reports back to Rome of the victories he was winning to sustain his popularity and to ensure that the people did not forget him. Back in Rome, Julius Caesar’s plan was working, and Pompey became increasingly jealous (by this time, Crassus had died in battle). Pompey, with the support of the Senate, objected to Julius Caesar’s actions and ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome. He refused, and in an act of direct defiance to the [[Senate]], led his loyal troops across the Rubicon River to Rome and conquered it in 49 B.C. The expression, “crossing the Rubicon” is used today to describe an act from which there is no turning back. Julius Caesar went on to defeat Pompey at the [[Battle of Pharsalus]] in 48 B.C. This left Julius Caesar firming in control of Rome, and he then took his unbeatable army on campaigns in [[Egypt]] (where he installed ally [[Cleopatra]] as queen), Asia Minor,[[Africa]] and [[Spain]] before returning to Rome again in 45 B.C. Rome ruled much of the civilized world as result of these military campaigns. The Roman Senate appointed Julius Caesar as dictator for life in 46 B.C.  

Roman culture flourished under Julius Caesar and the struggle afterwards. Most notably, [[Marcus Cicero]] (106-43 B.C.) became the leading writer, orator and statesman. His works are read to this day in [[Latin]] courses, as he established a high standard for Latin [[prose]]. The language enabled powerful concepts to be expressed succinctly, and often Latin phrases are used today in the legal system and elsewhere. But there was no freedom of speech in ancient Rome, and when Cicero’s work the Philippics criticized Mark Antony in 43 B.C., he responded by putting Cicero to death.

Roman culture flourished under Julius Caesar and the struggle afterwards. Most notably, [[Marcus Cicero]] (106-43 B.C.) became the leading writer, orator and statesman. His works are read to this day in [[Latin]] courses, as he established a high standard for Latin [[prose]]. The language enabled powerful concepts to be expressed succinctly, and often Latin phrases are used today in the legal system and elsewhere. But there was no freedom of speech in ancient Rome, and when Cicero’s work the Philippics criticized Mark Antony in 43 B.C., he responded by putting Cicero to death.