Who is Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar was a great ruler of Rome who started off as an underachiever but soon made his political career in Rome, military career and became the greatest ruler and conqueror in the Roman Empire. There were many stories and plays written about Julius Caesar such as the story by Shakespeare. Eventually, Julius Caesar met with tragic death as he was assassinated in public.

Julius Caesar and Rome at the time of Julius Caesar

Rome at the time of Julius Caesar was a republic in the heart of the Mediterranean that included the areas of Italy, Sicily, Macedonia, Greece, and parts of Spain and North Africa. It was not yet an empire and it was still struggling with rebellions and disorganization in its provinces, and constant political disputes and shifts of power at home. But the Romans were beginning to enjoy the riches of their provinces and life for many was filled with luxury. A law had been passed that no Roman had to pay taxes, since the treasury could easily be filled with taxes from the territories. As a result, there was a richer class in Rome than there had ever been before, and this class loved to flaunt its wealth. The wealthy built magnificent palaces and villas, furnished with ornate furniture and beautiful murals. They built extensive gardens and gave long drawn-out feasts at which they served rare wines and exotic delicacies, like nightingale's tongues and mice cooked in honey. Dancers, acrobats, and musicians entertained the guests, who were served by a large staff of slaves. A wealthy man was followed by a train of slaves wherever he went. These slaves came from all over the Roman territories; most of them had once been free men and women who were taken captive by the Romans. Sometimes these slaves rose in rebellion, as happened when the famous gladiator Spartacus led a revolt. He, like all the others, were defeated by the Roman army.

The life of luxury and privilege was not the life of most Romans, however. The majority of the population lived in crowded tenements on narrow streets and ate bread and olives, and a porridge made of wheat with a few vegetables thrown in. Rich and poor alike, attended the most popular events in Rome - the games held at the arena, at expense of the state. These games included deadly chariot races, and fights to the death between gladiators, who were slaves and criminals specially trained for the sport. In spite of the love of luxury, and brutality that marked ancient Rome, there was also a high regard for law and order and higher education.

Rome before and after Julius Caesar

In the two millennia since Julius Caesar lived and died, his name has continued as one of the most famous and controversial in history. He is viewed either as a defender of the rights of the people, or an ambitious politician who used the people to force his way to power, and in so doing destroyed the republic. He was a ruthless tyrant to some, to others a generous benefactor. All that remains certain about Caesar is that he was a man of exceptional, almost unbelievable abilities. He rose from relative obscurity to become the founder of the Roman Empire. He fought extensive and challenging military campaigns in that empire and was victorious in every single one. His physical energy was phenomenal - he traveled over vast amounts of territories and launched quick forceful assaults, one after another, without rest. Even at the age of 53, he saved himself in one battle by a long, vigorous swim to shore. In his later years, he periodically had epileptic seizures, none of which slowed him down nor interfered with his work.

His governorship of Rome was equally as energetic - he formulated and passed laws in rapid succession while also writing volumes of eloquent literature on his travels, campaigns, and legislation. His writing skills were matched by his skills at oratory - he gave frequent and brilliant speeches that swayed whole regiments, crowds, and legislators. Everything about Julius Caesar was uncommon, even his dramatic death. His life was fairly short and his rulership ended almost as soon as it began. But his name survives. Even today, there is no word that evokes the human supremacy and power of the word CAESAR.