Julius Caesar was the most famous Roman leader of all, conquered more land than any other Roman, and had a celebrated love affair with the Egyptian empress Cleopatra. He had no need of a kingly title. He had the power, he had the trappings, he had everything he essentially wanted - He didn't need a mere word in order to satisfy his vanity.
For 2000 years, the name "Caesar" has meant "Majesty in Power". His life inspired the rulers of empires to call themselves Caesar, Czar, and Kaiser. Ruthless ambition fueled his cline to power. Caesar stopped at nothing to achieve his goals. Conquest and genocide were his political tools. His reign led to the death of a republic and the birth of an empire.
As a young man Caesar learned about the legendary founding’s of Rome. He was instilled with a deep pride for its history. King's had been overthrown, a republic created, and the cities of Italy sucked into an ever growing territory.
Caesar was born into a prominent Roman family, and was only 15 years old when he accompanied his father to the forum, the seat of government in ancient Rome. It was an early taste of a life to come. As a member of the Roman ruling class, a political career was his destiny.
In the 200 years before his birth, Rome had conquered Greece, Spain, modern day France, and vast tracks of North Africa. It had made Rome very rich, but the speed of change made Rome politically unstable and treacherous.
Even as a teenager, his steely determination shown through. The impression we get is that he is a very independent minded individual. Caesar was always very matriculate about the way he appeared, very vain in fact, his already dressing in an unusual way, setting himself apart from his contemporaries.
When he was just 16 Caesar came to the attention of Sulla, then dictator of Rome - An enemy of Caesar's family. Caesar had made a political marriage. It was a union Sulla violently opposed and one that could have caused Caesar his life. It was remarkable that he stood up to Sulla, whom is an extremely ruthless individual. This shows Caesar's astonishing determination.
Soon after the death of his wife, Marius, Caesar went into exile. In Asia minor Caesar used his exile to make his name in battle. Caesar returned to Rome when Sulla died in 78 BC. Increasingly renowned for his skill and bravery in battle, he was decorated with a corona sivica. It was time for Caesar to pursue his political ambitions. He deliberately cultivated key allies in the violent world of Roman politics. Caesar became a lawyer, and over the next few years championed the rights of ordinary Roman's. He knew that the votes of the people would be the key of his future success. He had his sights set on the first step on the political power liner, pontifex maximus, high priest of Rome. Once he secured that position, he became one of the elite leaders of Rome. He had hit big time.
However, Caesar knew military victory's was what really counted in Roman politics. Caesar won a lucrative posting as governor of Spain, where he conquered and subdued the north west of the province.
Back in Rome, Caesar was now famous both as a soldier and a speaker, and was elected as one of the two heads of Roman government. He truly set the standard of what a leader really is. Although Caesar's consulship generated a lot of controversy, he was rewarded with a nine year campaign, during which Caesar would make his name as a brilliant general. Caesar the consul became Caesar the Conqueror.
"Veni, vidi, vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered".
Caesar's ambition was boundless, not content to just one region, but he wanted more. Northern Italy, modern day Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and even Britain were all in his sights.
Command of an army came naturally to Caesar. His physical presence during battle inspired total confidence, and it was said the sight of his red cloak was the equivalent of another legion. He was a superstar, respected and highly popularized.
Caesar knew he now had the power to seize Rome by force. It was exactly what his enemies had dreaded, and something punishable by death.
What he did next is why legends exist to this day.
He stormed through Italy initially with one single legion. It was them vs. the world. Victory was quick to come by.
In 44 BC he was elected dictator - For life. He was issued coins with his face on it, statues of him that were adored like those of the gods, and even reformed the calendar and named the month of July after himself, along with the Julian calendar. As they say, "Caesar dictates when the sun rises, and when it sets".
On the 15th of March, 44 BC, three days before he was due to leave for military campaign in Syria, Caesar attended the senate, having no idea he was walking into a murderous conspiracy.
As a conspirator moved in to talk to him, it was the signal for attack, and dagger after dagger plunged into Caesar's flesh. And even as he died, he put the Toga over his head, still concerned of his status to his people.
Gaius Julius Caesar transformed Rome from a growing republic into a mighty empire, which encompassed most of the known world. As Caesar had said, "I have lived long enough, whether measured in years, or in glory".
His life became a legend that has continued undiminished for more than 2000 years.
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