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''For the famous play by [[Shakespeare]], see [[Julius Caesar (play)]]''.

''For the famous play by [[Shakespeare]], see [[Julius Caesar (play)]]''.

'''Gaius Julius Caesar''' (July 12/13, 100 B.C - March 15, 44 B.C) He was a [[Roman]] military & political leader and one of the most influential people in [[history]]. A brilliant general, he laid the groundwork for the future [[Roman Empire]].  

'''Gaius Julius Caesar''' (July 12/13, 100 B.C - March 15, 44 B.C) He was a [[Roman]] military & political leader and one of the most influential people in [[history]]. A brilliant general, he laid the groundwork for the future [[Roman Empire]].  

= Birth and Early Life =

= Birth and Early Life (100-86 BC)=

Gaius Julius Caesar was born on 12/13 July 100 BC in [[Rome]] into the ancient Julian clan, a patrician family with excellent connections and modestly claiming decent from [[Aeneas]] & [[Aphrodite]] (Roman [[Venus]]). Yet the family was apparently not wealthy in his generation.  Not withstanding, this lead his early life to be shaped by a childhood amoungste the [[Plebian|plebians]] in [[Subura]], being a lower-class neighborhood of [[Rome]].  This upbringing clearly shaped much of his later political focus to draw the power of the [[Plebian|plebs]].

Gaius Julius Caesar was born on 12/13 July 100 BC in [[Rome]] into the ancient Julian clan, a patrician family with excellent connections and modestly claiming decent from [[Aeneas]] & [[Aphrodite]] (Roman [[Venus]]). Yet the family was apparently not wealthy in his generation.  Not withstanding, this lead his early life to be shaped by a childhood amoungste the [[Plebian|plebians]] in [[Subura]], being a lower-class neighborhood of [[Rome]].  This upbringing clearly shaped much of his later political focus to draw the power of the [[Plebian|plebs]].

Therefore it should suprise none then, that young Julius Caesar now charged with the upkeep of the household married shortly after to the [[Cornelia]] daughter of the then presiding four time [[Consul]]  [[Lucius Cornelius Cinna]] and received his prestigious first public office at 16 years old as the [[Flamen|High Priest of Jupiter]].

Therefore it should suprise none then, that young Julius Caesar now charged with the upkeep of the household married shortly after to the [[Cornelia]] daughter of the then presiding four time [[Consul]]  [[Lucius Cornelius Cinna]] and received his prestigious first public office at 16 years old as the [[Flamen|High Priest of Jupiter]].

=Career=

=Career=

During these years Caesar cultivated important patronage ties with leading populares and provincial elites, converting the military and personal prestige he had earned into political capital. The pirate incident in particular enhanced his popular image for audacity and decisive action, which proved useful in the electoral contests that followed. By 69 BC Caesar had completed this period of rehabilitation and networking and successfully stood for election as '''Quaestor''', formally entering the higher ranks of the ''[[Cursus Honorum|cursus honorum]]''.

During these years Caesar cultivated important patronage ties with leading populares and provincial elites, converting the military and personal prestige he had earned into political capital. The pirate incident in particular enhanced his popular image for audacity and decisive action, which proved useful in the electoral contests that followed. By 69 BC Caesar had completed this period of rehabilitation and networking and successfully stood for election as '''Quaestor''', formally entering the higher ranks of the ''[[Cursus Honorum|cursus honorum]]''.

==Quaestor==

==Quaestor (69-65 BC)==

In '''69 BC''' Julius Caesar was elected [[Quaestor]], the first rung of the Roman [[Cursus Honorum|cursus honorum]] and the office that formally entered him into the Senate. The Quaestorship was primarily a financial and administrative role, responsible for managing public funds, supporting provincial governors, and overseeing the logistics of taxation and expenditure. It is roughly comparable to a modern-day '''Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration'''.

In '''69 BC''' Julius Caesar was elected [[Quaestor]], the first rung of the Roman [[Cursus Honorum|cursus honorum]] and the office that formally entered him into the Senate. The Quaestorship was primarily a financial and administrative role, responsible for managing public funds, supporting provincial governors, and overseeing the logistics of taxation and expenditure. It is roughly comparable to a modern-day '''Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration'''.

The [[Quaestor|Quaestorship]] also conferred lifetime membership in the [[Roman Senate|Senate]], giving Caesar his first formal platform in Roman national politics. Although the office was junior, it marked the beginning of his public career and provided the administrative experience, provincial exposure, and senatorial standing necessary for his later rise through the higher magistracies.

The [[Quaestor|Quaestorship]] also conferred lifetime membership in the [[Roman Senate|Senate]], giving Caesar his first formal platform in Roman national politics. Although the office was junior, it marked the beginning of his public career and provided the administrative experience, provincial exposure, and senatorial standing necessary for his later rise through the higher magistracies.

==Aedile==

==Aedile (65-62 BC)==

[[Image: Colosseum, Rome, Italy - Blue Night Sky - 1280px PD.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Ancient Rome's paramount public entertainment facility, the [[Colosseum]].]]

[[Image: Colosseum, Rome, Italy - Blue Night Sky - 1280px PD.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Ancient Rome's paramount public entertainment facility, the [[Colosseum]].]]

As [[Pontifex Maximus]], Julius Caesar exercised his religious authority actively and politically. He reorganized the calendar, corrected long‑standing abuses in the priestly colleges, and used the office’s prestige to strengthen his public standing in Rome. The position gave him control over sacred law, festival timing, and the interpretation of omens — all of which carried significant influence in Roman public life. Although the office had traditionally been non‑executive, Caesar’s assertive use of its powers elevated the Pontifex Maximus from a primarily ceremonial priesthood into a central instrument of statecraft. His tenure marks the moment when Rome’s chief priest became a visible participant in governance, setting the stage for later developments in his career and in the constitutional evolution of Rome.

As [[Pontifex Maximus]], Julius Caesar exercised his religious authority actively and politically. He reorganized the calendar, corrected long‑standing abuses in the priestly colleges, and used the office’s prestige to strengthen his public standing in Rome. The position gave him control over sacred law, festival timing, and the interpretation of omens — all of which carried significant influence in Roman public life. Although the office had traditionally been non‑executive, Caesar’s assertive use of its powers elevated the Pontifex Maximus from a primarily ceremonial priesthood into a central instrument of statecraft. His tenure marks the moment when Rome’s chief priest became a visible participant in governance, setting the stage for later developments in his career and in the constitutional evolution of Rome.

==Praetor==

==Praetor (62-59 BC)==

In '''62 BC''' Julius Caesar was elected [[Praetor]], the senior judicial magistracy of the Roman Republic and the final step of the [[Cursus Honorum|cursus honorum]] before the [[Consul|Consulship]]. The Praetorship carried ''imperium'', granting both judicial authority in Rome and military command when assigned to a province. In modern terms, the Praetor functioned as a combination of a '''Chief Justice''' / '''Supreme Court Judge''' and a '''Deputy Executive Governor'''.

In '''62 BC''' Julius Caesar was elected [[Praetor]], the senior judicial magistracy of the Roman Republic and the final step of the [[Cursus Honorum|cursus honorum]] before the [[Consul|Consulship]]. The Praetorship carried ''imperium'', granting both judicial authority in Rome and military command when assigned to a province. In modern terms, the Praetor functioned as a combination of a '''Chief Justice''' / '''Supreme Court Judge''' and a '''Deputy Executive Governor'''.

Caesar concluded his consulship by arranging the marriage of his daughter Julia to Pompey, strengthening the personal bond that helped maintain harmony within the Triumvirate. With his legislation enacted, his alliances secured, and his provincial command granted, Caesar left Rome at the end of his term to begin his proconsulship in Gaul, the stage upon which his military genius would soon become legendary.

Caesar concluded his consulship by arranging the marriage of his daughter Julia to Pompey, strengthening the personal bond that helped maintain harmony within the Triumvirate. With his legislation enacted, his alliances secured, and his provincial command granted, Caesar left Rome at the end of his term to begin his proconsulship in Gaul, the stage upon which his military genius would soon become legendary.

==Mid Career==

==WORK IN PROGRESS / REDUNDANT==.  

In 60 B.C. Julius Caesar joined with the wealthy Marcus Crassus and the powerful Roman general and statesman [[Pompey|Pompey the Great]] to rule [[Rome]] as the first [[triumvirate]]. In 59 B.C. Julius Caesar became consul and used his position to gain favor 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, sent 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 [[Roman Senate|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 firmly in control of Rome, and he then took his veteran 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 Western civilized world as result of these military campaigns. It is interesting to note that Caesar did not start his string of incredible military victories until he was well into middle age.  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, sent 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 [[Roman Senate|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 firmly in control of Rome, and he then took his veteran 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 Western civilized world as result of these military campaigns. It is interesting to note that Caesar did not start his string of incredible military victories until he was well into middle age.  The Roman Senate appointed Julius Caesar as dictator for life in 46 B.C.