Description
Welcome to Quare, the educational podcast for young and old alike. Today, in the History category, this episode is dedicated to Julius Caesar.
Who was Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesman and writer. He was born around 100 BC in Rome and was assassinated in 44 BC. He is one of the most famous figures of the ancient world. His name is so legendary that the words "Kaiser" in German and "Tsar" in Russian are directly derived from it.
What family did he come from?
He came from a patrician family — the Roman nobility — known as the "Julii". His family even claimed to be descended from the goddess Venus! But his family was not particularly wealthy or influential. It was through his talent, ambition and political alliances that Caesar became the most powerful man in Rome.
How did his career begin?
Caesar followed the traditional Roman political path, the "cursus honorum". He served as quaestor, aedile, praetor, and then consul in 59 BC. He was known for being generous with the people, organising games and banquets to win their favour. But his political rise came at a great cost, and he accumulated enormous debts.
How did he become a great general?
In 58 BC, Caesar became governor of Gaul (present-day France) and led a series of brilliant military campaigns over 8 years. He conquered the whole of Gaul, notably defeating the Gaulish chief Vercingetorix at the siege of Alesia in 52 BC. He also led expeditions into Britain and Germania. He recorded his military memoirs in "The Gallic War". He also took part in the Roman civil war.
What was the Roman civil war?
The Roman Senate, alarmed by Caesar's growing power, ordered him to return to Rome without his army. In January 49 BC, Caesar defied this order by crossing the Rubicon — a small border river — with his legions. This act was considered a declaration of civil war. He defeated his rival Pompey and became master of Rome.
What does "crossing the Rubicon" mean?
Today, the expression "crossing the Rubicon" means making an irreversible decision — a point of no return. Caesar knew this very well when he crossed that river with his soldiers. It is one of the most dramatic moments in Roman history, one that changed the fate of Rome forever.
What did he do after his victory?
After his victory, Caesar travelled to Egypt. There he met Cleopatra VII, the queen of Egypt, and fell in love with her. They had a son together named Caesarion. Caesar helped Cleopatra keep her throne against her rival brother. This relationship shocked traditional Romans, as Cleopatra was a foreign woman.
How did he die?
Back in Rome, Caesar had become "dictator in perpetuity". Some senators feared he wanted to declare himself king and destroy the Republic. On 15 March 44 BC — the Ides of March — a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius stabbed him during a Senate session. Caesar received 23 stab wounds. He died at the age of 55. His death plunged Rome into another civil war.
But wasn't Brutus his son?
No — this is a fairly common misconception. Brutus was not Caesar's son. Brutus was the son of Servilia, one of Caesar's mistresses. Caesar took Brutus under his wing, but never officially acknowledged him. Historically, theirs was simply a political relationship.
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