According to an unlikely legend, Gaius Julius Caesar was born by Caesarean section to Aurelia and Gaius Julius Caesar, a praetor, on July 13, 100 BCE. His father died when Caesar was 16 years old, and it was his mother Aurelia, who proved to be quite influential in his life. Caesar's family was part of Rome's original aristocracy, called patricians, although they were not rich or particularly influential. At the time of Caesar's birth, the number of patricians was small, and their status no longer provided political advantage. After his father's death, he was betrothed and possibly married a wealthy young woman, Cossutia. This betrothal/marriage was soon broken off, and at age 18 he marr ...view middle of the document...
His general sent him on an embassy to Nicomedes, the king of Bithynia, to obtain a fleet of ships. Caesar was successful, but subsequently he became the butt of gossip. It was said that he had persuaded the king, a homosexual, only by agreeing to sleep with him. When Sulla died in 78 BCE, Caesar returned to Rome and began a career as an orator/lawyer and a life as an elegant man-about-town. Throughout his life he was known as an eloquent speaker.In 69 or 68 BCE, Caesar was elected quaestor. His wife died shortly thereafter. In a purely political maneuver, Caesar seized the opportunity to praise his uncle, Cinna and father-in-law, Marius during the funeral orations for his deceased wife. He then married Pompeia, a relative of Pompey. Caesar was elected curule aedile, pontifex maximus, and a praetor. By this time, Caesar was making a name for himself as a political figure. He divorced Pompeia because of her involvement in a scandal with another man, although the man had been acquitted in the law courts. Caesar is reported to have said, "The wife of Caesar must be above suspicion," suggesting that he was so remarkable that anyone associated with him had to be free of any link to scandal. In 61 BCE, he was sent to the province of Further Spain as proprietor.Caesar was made governor of Farther Spain in 61 BCE. When he returned to Rome the next year, he joined forces with Crassus and Pompey and formed the first triumvirate. The alliance between Pompey and Caesar was solidified further when he gave his permission for Pompey to marry Julia, his only child.Caesar's next step up the political ladder was to be elected consul in 59 BCE. During that year he also married Calpurnia, the daughter of a leading member of the Popular party. The following year, Caesar was appointed governor of Roman Gaul. During the next 8 years, Caesar successfully conquered Gallic Gaul to the north. In 49 BCE, Caesar was ordered by the Senate to lay down his command. Roman politics had changed following the death of Crassus, and Pompey was appointed sole consul. In additi...
