Origins of Julius Caesar and Early Roman Governance
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| Julius Caesar |
The month of July is named after Julius Caesar. It is often claimed that he was the first person in history to be born via cesarean section, which is why the procedure is commonly associated with his name. However, this information remains historically unconfirmed. Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC, a time when the Roman Republic was governed by a political body similar to what we might now call a People's Assembly, known as the Council of Nobles. Within this council, a minority group referred to themselves as the Nobility Class. Julius Caesar’s family opposed the existing regime and aligned themselves with a faction similar to a modern opposition party. Later, Caesar married the daughter of Sulla, the ruler of Rome at the time. As a result, Sulla decreed that anyone affiliated with the opposition and married into his circle must divorce their spouse. Caesar refused to divorce Sulla’s daughter, which led Sulla to order his imprisonment. However, Caesar’s family had influential connections who intervened and secured his release. Following this, Caesar joined the Roman army, where he quickly rose to the rank of division commander. He distinguished himself through his discipline, courage, and valor.
Triple Alliance
Julius Becomes Caesar
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| Julius Caesar |
The civil war ended with Julius Caesar’s decisive victory at the Battle of Munda in 45 BC. After four years of conflict, Caesar assumed full control of Rome and began restoring the city, which had suffered greatly during the war. He launched efforts to rebuild the state and improve the lives of its citizens, who were on the brink of ruin. Among Caesar’s most trusted allies were Cassius and Brutus—the latter raised by Caesar and regarded almost as a son. Once Caesar solidified his power, he dismantled the republican system, declared the Roman Empire, and appointed himself as dictator for life, effectively becoming the permanent ruler of Rome.
The Conspiracy Against Caesar and His Assassination
The political strategies and authoritarian methods employed by Julius Caesar in ruling Rome were the primary reasons for the growing discontent among members of the nobility, many of whom yearned to reclaim their former influence and power. Caesar's dictatorial rule was marked by oppression and intolerance of dissent. He suppressed opposition and silenced any views that differed from his own, giving his critics ample reason to conspire against him.
The core of the conflict between the republican nobles and Julius Caesar lay in their contrasting visions for governance. While Caesar saw the Roman Republic as a theoretical democracy that was impossible to apply effectively, the republicans demanded a return to the democratic republic, with constitutional rights and freedoms extended to all Roman citizens.
One of Caesar’s closest companions, Cassius, became deeply angered by Caesar’s authoritarianism. Skilled in persuasion and trusted by many, Cassius began rallying members of the ruling council to assassinate Caesar. He eventually convinced Brutus, whom Caesar had raised like a son, that Caesar’s growing arrogance—especially in dealings with foreign rulers—posed a severe threat to Rome’s future. In Cassius’s view, Caesar’s death was necessary for the good of the Republic.
On the morning of March 15, 44 BC (the Ides of March), Caesar’s wife awoke in terror after dreaming of her husband covered in blood. Despite her pleas, Caesar dismissed the dream and proceeded with his day. Meanwhile, Brutus approached Mark Antony, one of Caesar’s most loyal generals, and persuaded him not to attend the Senate meeting.
When Caesar arrived at the Senate, before he could take his seat, the conspirators surrounded and attacked him. Brutus led the group that stabbed Caesar to death. According to legend, Caesar’s final words were the famous phrase: “Even you, Brutus?” Brutus, weeping, is said to have replied, “Forgive me, my lord, but this is for Rome to live.” To which Caesar replied, “Let Rome live, and let Julius Caesar die.”
Caesar’s Legacy, His Assassins, and the Aftermath of Betrayal
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| Julius Caesar |
Despite the tragic end that Julius Caesar met, and despite the criticism and opposition he faced during his lifetime, his efforts in shaping and expanding the Roman state ensured his place among the most iconic figures in world history. The title "Caesar" became so influential that it was later adopted by emperors and rulers across different empires, symbolizing supreme authority. In time, Caesar’s allies succeeded in avenging his assassination, and this is what we will talk about in another article.
Caesar’s reported final words, “Even you, Brutus,” popularized by William Shakespeare, became a symbol of betrayal by a trusted friend. However, historians remain divided on whether Brutus was truly that close to Caesar. Most historians, following the account of the ancient philosopher Plutarch, who wrote about the assassination over 150 years later, consider Brutus and Cassius to be the main conspirators. Shakespeare drew heavily from Plutarch’s writings in his dramatization.