Jan 26 2009
Julius Caesar- end of the Roman Republic
Gaius Julius Caesar, as his correct name is, was born in 100BC. He is basically known for three things: ending the Roman Republic, having an affair with the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and having been spectacularly assessinated. Apart from his own writings, many contemporary historians have recorded this deeds and achievements and criticised his actions.
He was foremost a military leader, who set out to conquer Gaul and thus extend the Roman Republic to the North Sea. However, his goal was not the glory and power of Rome, but simply to get as rich as possible. The conquest of Gaul brought both and Caesar’s fame was rising. He continued his military campaings, being showered with honors and titles, but he also caused, twice, a civil war.
He first ruled as a member of the triumvirat, but after its collapse and his military successes, he was ultimately proclaimed ‘dictator’ for life. He did defend the Roman justice system and centralised burocracy in the ever growing Roman Republic. In 47 he became embroiled in a war which involved Cleopatra and he sided with her. Reportedly, he maintained a relationship with her during 14 years of his marriage to a Roman noblewoman and had a son with Cleopatra.
Dictatorship for life resulted in the crowning of his statues in the forum with a laurel wrath and the first step away from the Roman Republic and towards the Roman Empire was made.
Caesar was murdered by a conspiracy of his closest associates who had come to fame and fortune thanks to him, but feared for their positions. A false petiton was prepared and under pretext of reading it, he was lured to the forum where he was assaulted and stabbed 23 times. Only one of the stab wounds however, was fatal.
