Julius Caesar

(c. 100 BC - 44 BC)

Born into one of the original patrician families of Rome around 100 bc, Julius Caesar married a daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna in 84 bc, served in the military two years later, acted as a prosecuting advocate in 78 bc, and was on his way to Rhodes when he was captured by pirates; he paid his ransom and crucified his captors. Caesar was elected consul in 58 bc and over the next eight years subjugated all of Gaul to Roman rule. Described by Suetonius as “unbridled and extravagant in his intrigues,” Caesar was known to his soldiers as “every man’s woman and every woman’s man.” An early architect of imperial Rome, he was honored at the funeral services after his murder as the “father of his country.” He became dictator in 46 bc and was assassinated two years later.