Julius Caesar

Definition

Gaius Julius Caesar was born 12 July 100 BCE (though some cite 102 as his birth year). His father, also Gaius Julius Caesar, was a Praetor who governed the province of Asia and his mother, Aurelia Cotta, was of noble birth. Both held to the Populare ideology of Rome which favored democratization of government and more rights for the lower class as opposed to the Optimate factions' claim of the superiority of the nobility and traditional Roman values which favored the upper classes. It should be understood that the Optimate and the Populare were not political parties in conflict with each other but, rather, political ideologies which many people shifted toward and from, regardless of class in society. The concept of appealing to the people for support, rather than seeking approval from the Roman Senate or the other Patricians, would work well for Caesar later in life.

More about: Julius Caesar

Timeline

  • 12 Jul 100 BCE - 15 Mar 44 BCE
    Life of Gaius Julius Caesar, founder of the Roman Empire.
  • c. 69 BCE - 12 Aug 30 BCE
    Life of Cleopatra VII of Egypt.
  • 65 BCE
    Julius Caesar becomes aedile curule in Rome.
  • 60 BCE - 53 BCE
    First Triumvirate' between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus.
  • 58 BCE - 51 BCE
    Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul.
  • 58 BCE
    Caesar attacks the Helvetii while on migration and defeats them.
  • 58 BCE
    Julius Caesar invades Gaul. Roman influence on the European tribes begins in earnest.
  • 57 BCE
    A Roman army under Caesar narrowly defeats an army of Nervii, Atrebates, and Viromandui.
  • 55 BCE - 54 BCE
    Julius Caesar's expeditions in Britain.
  • 55 BCE
    Caesar attempts to invade Britain.
  • 54 BCE
    Caesar successfully invades Britain but withdraws to Gaul.
  • 54 BCE - 29 BCE
    Forum of Caesar constructed in Rome by Julius Caesar as another area to conduct judicial business. It is the best surviving of his monuments.
  • 54 BCE - 53 BCE
    Ambiorix of the Eburones tribe destroys around 9,000 Roman soldiers at Atuatuca.
  • 53 BCE
    Julius Caesar holds council of Gallic tribes in Lutetia.
  • 52 BCE
    Julius Caesar is defeated at Gergovia by Vercingetorix.
  • 52 BCE
    After becoming trapped and besieged at Alesia, Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar.
  • 51 BCE
    Caesar's siege and capture of Uxellodunum ends the Gallic War.
  • 49 BCE
    Julius Caesar captures Brundisium in southern Italy.
  • 49 BCE
    Julius Caesar besieges Massilia.
  • 49 BCE
    Caesar crosses the Rubicon. Civil war between Caesar and Pompey begins.
  • 48 BCE
    Caesar defeats Pompey (battle of Pharsalus); Pompey flees to Egypt and is killed by courtiers of Ptolemy XIII.
  • 48 BCE
    Caesar arrives in Egypt and orders Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra VII to disband their armies, but instead, war breaks out.
  • 23 Jun 47 BCE
    Birth of Cleopatra's son, named Caesarion; Caesar is said to be the father.
  • c. 46 BCE
    Julius Caesar mints the largest quantity of gold coins ever seen in Rome.
  • 46 BCE
    Julius Caesar celebrates a triple triumph in Rome.
  • 44 BCE
    Julius Caesar is murdered.
  • 44 BCE
    Julius Caesar founds the Roman colony of Corinth.
  • 29 BCE
    The Temple of Divus Julius, dedicated to the deified Julius Caesar, is added to Rome's Forum Romanum.
  • 47 CE - 50 CE
    Londinium (London) founded, roads constructed.
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