who was julius caeser ?

Question

 who was Julius Caesar ?

 

Answer 1

Julius Caesar was an ancient Roman military commander who rose to power swiftly after winning major victories in wars against Rome's enemies.  He is probably best known for the conquest of Gaul, which spans modern day France and Belgium.  That conquest vastly extended Roman rule.  Caesar's army would build siege machines from wood cut from surrounding lands, and lay great sieges against heavily fortified cities.  His victories were considered brilliant.  He joined the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus to govern Rome.  Over time, the triumvirate fell apart and Rome plunged into civil war, with armies loyal to Caesar fighting armies loyal to Pompey.  Caesar emerged totally victorious and became undisputed ruler and dictator of Rome until his assassination in 44 BC.  In addition to his military exploits and rule of Rome, he made other contributions to civilization, such as the Julian calendar.  He also wrote books in Latin about his wars, which are considered to be great works of literature.

 

A few noteworthy items:

 

After a very successful military campaign in Spain, he said "I came, I saw, I conquered", which is a quote still used to this day.  The phrase "crossing the Rubicon", which is still used today, had its origin with Caesar returning from a campaign and ordered not to enter Rome with his army, but to leave his army at the far side of the Rubicon River.  He defied that order and led his army into Rome, and his enemies fled.  The term "Caesarian birth", which is employed in modern day childbirth, was named after him.  His home on the Palatine hill of Rome eventually became the official residence of future emperors of Rome.