Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar (full name: Gaius Julius Caesar) (lived from 100 BC to 44 BC) was an ancient Roman general and dictator. He also ended the Roman Republic. He is best remembered for being one of the greatest military leaders in history.

Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC. During the time when he attended school, he learned how to read and write. He also learned about law and public speaking, which were important skills he would need later in life.

Caesar's father died when he was 16. Soon after, Cinna, a powerful Roman politician, arranged for Caesar to marry his daughter Cornelia. Soon, he did marry Cornelia, with whom he had a daughter.

Soon, Caesar found that his family was enemies with Sulla, the dictator of Rome. Fearing for his life, nineteen-year old Caesar joined the army and fled Rome.

When he was away from Rome, Caesar became a military hero. Two years later, Sulla died and Caesar was able to return to Rome. Caesar decided to enter politics. Soon, he became an important member of the government and an amazing public speaker.

When he was twenty-seven, Caesar became a pontifex. Ten years later, he became the pontifex maximus, the highest priesthood in Rome.

Julius Caesar was elected to consul when he was 40. This was the most important position in Rome. Then, after his one-year tenure as consul, Caesar became governor of Gaul, which he conquered.

After Caesar spent ten years in Gaul, he returned to Rome. Soon, a civil war broke out. Pompey, who was once Caesar's friend, was now his enemy. He chased Pompey all the way into Egypt, where Pompey's head was cut off. While he was there, Caesar helped make Cleopatra queen of Egypt. He also had a son with her.

On March 15, 44 BC, on the Ides of March, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of people who felt he was growing too powerful.