Who was Julius Caesar?

Who was Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar was the son of a noble family who entered the Roman Army. He served with distinction, earning the Civic Crown, the highest medal of valour. Upon his return to Rome, he entered politics and became a Consul. He led a successful military expedition to expand the Empire. He pushed the frontiers of the Roman Empire farther than any Roman emperor. He took command of an Army and the next two years, he invaded and laid claim to most of Britain, and crossed the Rhine to fight the Germans.


He returned to Rome as a powerful hero, and came into political conflict with Pompey, another Roman General who held the post of Chief Consul. By law, generals were not allowed to bring their armies into the city of Rome but rather were required to keep them north of the Rubicon River. In 50 BC, Caesar flouted the law, crossed the Rubicon and entered Rome to stage a coup. He deposed Pompey and eliminated the Republic making himself an absolute ruler, in 48 BC. He continued to rule until disgruntled colleagues assassinated him on March 15, 44 BC. By the time of his death, Rome had also become Europe’s –and possibly the world’s-first superpower.