Julius Caesar became the most important person in the whole of the ancient world. Then he got a bit too big-headed…
CAESAR THE OUTLAW
Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC into a posh family in Rome. Rome was ruled by elected leaders called consuls, and had no king or queen. Caesar wanted a top job in politics but things started badly when Sulla, an old family enemy, came back to Rome from exile, seized power and began executing thousands of his enemies. Caesar was made an outlaw and went into hiding, then joined the army and stayed away until Sulla died.
PIRATES!
On a trip to Greece, Caesar was captured by pirates and held to ransom. He was every bit as tough as the pirates and showed no fear of them at all. When the ransom had been paid, he sent ships to capture the pirates, and when they were caught he had them executed. He came back to Rome with a reputation for being brave and ruthless.
CAESAR INVADES
Caesar spent time and money showing off to important people (which was the only way to do well in ancient Roman politics), and landed a series of important jobs. As governor of Spain he invaded Portugal, killed lots of people and stole loads of loot, which made him incredibly popular (in Rome, at least). He got the top job of consul, then took control of Rome with two pals – Crassus (who defeated Spartacus here) and Pompey, an army general. Caesar started the Gallic Wars, in what’s now France, which lasted for seven years and added modern France and Belgium to the Roman Empire.
CAESAR VS POMPEY
After Crassus died, Pompey and Caesar went to war over who should be in charge of Rome. Caesar won. When he returned to Rome (after stopping off in Egypt where he fell in love with Queen Cleopatra), he was made Dictator of the Empire for ten years. But in 44 BC he went too far, he made himself Dictator for Life – just like a king. A month later 23 senators stabbed him to death.
Find out more about Cleopatra here.
