Why Julius Caesar is so famous?

Soon enough, Julius Caesar developed into an outstanding strategist in the art of war, primarily through the Gallic Wars, which lasted from 58 to 50 BCE. He led the Roman legions in the conquest of Gaul, which is now modern-day France and Belgium. This campaign greatly expanded Roman territory and increased his popularity in Rome. These wars, detailed in the Commentarii de Bello Gallico, not only showcased his genius as a general but also served as propaganda, highlighting the magnitude of his achievements. This success placed him in an enviable position in Roman politics, thanks to his ability to acquire wealth and territory through conquest.

Genius in war: campaigns of Gaul

Julius Caesar was an exceptional military leader who, before the Gallic Wars between 58 and 50 BCE, had led several highly successful campaigns. In the Gallic Wars, he led the Roman legions in the conquest of Gaul, now known as modern-day France and Belgium. These military campaigns extended the territories under Roman control and, therefore, increased his popularity in Rome. Caesar’s detailed commentaries on these campaigns showcased not only his brilliance as a military commander but also acted as propaganda, emphasizing his feats. This, combined with the fact that he returned with both treasure and territory from these conquests, made him a dominant figure in the political world of Rome.

Crossing the Rubicon: The challenge of established norms

One of the most fateful moments in his life was the crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 BCE, which arguably altered Roman history from what it might have been. He did this in direct defiance of the orders given by the Roman Senate, which had instructed him not to cross the river. This marked the beginning of the civil war that Caesar led against his opponents, especially Pompey. Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon was an overt act of aggression against the Senate and marked the beginning of a process that would ultimately bring an end to the Roman Republic. Hence, the phrase “crossing the Rubicon” is now used to describe making a major and irreversible decision.

Julius Caesar as reformer of Politics

Julius Caesar was a military and political reformist leader. He had in mind the re-constitution of governance as a means of stabilizing the state of the Romans. He introduced key reforms to change the Roman system of governance as dictator, such as the redistribution of land to veterans, reorganization of the Roman debt system, and packing the Senate with supporters across the vast empire. The reforms of Caesar had been aimed at reducing the corruption and inefficiency of the late Republic. Yet the accumulation of his power and undermining of the traditional Republican institutions created tensions within the Roman ruling elite.

If you’re captivated by Roman history and the powerful symbols of that era, explore our collection roman imperial coins inspired by the Roman Empire, featuring unique pieces reminiscent of figures like Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

Caesar and Cleopatra: An unholy alliance

Caesar is also known for his affair with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. They were allied in both a personal and political manner, he called in support for Cleopatra to have her confirm her rule in Egypt. Cleopatra bore Caesar his only son, Ptolemy XV, better known as Caesarion. This relationship strengthened Rome’s influence over Egypt and further cemented Caesar’s power His affair with Cleopatra also scandalized Roman society, contributing to his negative reputation as a leader that would stop at nothing to satisfy convention for personal and political gain.

The assassination of Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar died at the hands of Brutus and Cassius, who were part of a Roman senators’ group-on March 15, 44 BCE. The conspirators acted out of fear that Caesar intended to declare himself king, thus ending the Roman Republic. His death directly led to another civil war, as his supporters and assassins fought over mastery of Rome. Although his assassination was meant to restore the Republic, it had the opposite effect, giving rise to his adopted heir, Octavian, later named Augustus, and the Roman Empire.

Julius Caesar’s legacy in Roman history

Caesar’s actions dramatically reshaped Roman history, and his legacy is still felt today. His centralization of power, military conquests, and political reforms set the stage for the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. His assassination, while intended to save the Republic, ultimately led to the rise of imperial rule. Julius Caesar’s life and death symbolize both the glory and the fall of the Roman Republic, making him one of the most studied and discussed figures in ancient history.

The Julian calendar

One of Caesar’s lasting contributions to the world is the introduction of the Julian calendar, which reformed the Roman calendar system. Implemented in 45 BCE, the Julian calendar established a 365-day year with an additional leap year every four years. This calendar remained in use in Europe for over 1,600 years, and its basic structure is still reflected in the Gregorian calendar used today. Caesar’s reform of the calendar helped standardize timekeeping and remains one of his most enduring legacies.

A catalyst for the fall of the Roman republic

Julius Caesar was an influence in the death of the Roman Republic. Undeniably, Caesar did amass an insurmountable quantity of power in his own person, bypassed the Senate, and even got himself named dictator for life-all serious threats to the republic as a form of government. Although Caesar’s reforms aimed to stabilize Rome, they accelerated the Republic’s decline and smoothed the path for autocratic rule under Augustus. His life and reign mark that point at which Roman history must turn from centuries of republican government to the dawn of the Roman Empire.