Who was Julius Caesar?

Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE) was a Roman general, statesman, and dictator. He conquered Gaul, crossed the Rubicon, won a civil war, and reformed Rome before his assassination.

Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?

Senators feared Caesar was destroying the Republic by accumulating too much power. On March 15, 44 BCE (the Ides of March), conspirators including Brutus and Cassius stabbed him 23 times.

What did Julius Caesar accomplish?

Caesar conquered Gaul (modern France), reformed the Roman calendar, expanded citizenship, initiated building projects, and wrote military memoirs. His death ultimately led to the Roman Empire.

Was Julius Caesar an emperor?

No, Caesar was never emperor—he was "dictator perpetuo" (dictator in perpetuity). His adopted heir Octavian (Augustus) became the first true emperor after another civil war.

What is Caesar's legacy?

Caesar influenced military tactics, political history, and Western culture. The month July bears his name, "Caesar" became a title for rulers, and his life inspired countless works of art and literature.

Julius Caesar Biography: Life, Death & Legacy

The Man Who Became a God

Julius Caesar is one of history's most famous figures. Brilliant general, cunning politician, elegant writer, and ultimately dictator for life — Caesar's name became synonymous with supreme power itself (czar, kaiser).

He conquered Gaul, invaded Britain, crossed the Rubicon, had an affair with Cleopatra, and was murdered by his friends on the Ides of March. His death led to the end of the Roman Republic and the birth of the Empire.

What You'll Learn

The Rise

Patrician birth during civil wars. Early career and scandals. The First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. The governorship that would change everything.

The Conquests

Eight years in Gaul. A million dead, another million enslaved. The brilliant general who wrote his own history. Invasions of Britain. The making of Caesar's legend.

The Crossing

"The die is cast." Crossing the Rubicon meant civil war. Caesar vs Pompey. Four years of fighting across the Mediterranean. Caesar triumphant.

Caesar and Cleopatra

The relationship that scandalized Rome. Caesar in Egypt. Cleopatra in Rome. Caesarion: the heir that couldn't be.

The Dictator

Caesar's reforms. Clementia and its limits. The accumulation of power. Why did he provoke assassination?

The Ides of March

23 stab wounds. "Et tu, Brute?" The aftermath: Antony's speech, the will, Octavian's rise. How Caesar's death created the Empire he never quite claimed.

All Episodes

10 audio lessons • 265 minutes total

1

Young Caesar: Patrician in Peril

Coming Soon

The Julian clan and early life. Marius vs Sulla civil war. Caesar on the proscription lists. Escape and early career. Character formation.

~25 min

2

The First Triumvirate: Rise to Power

Coming Soon

Political maneuvering in Rome. Alliance with Pompey and Crassus. Consulship of 59 BC. The Gallic command obtained. Setting the stage for conquest.

~25 min

3

The Gallic Wars: Conquering a Nation

Coming Soon

Eight years in Gaul. Major campaigns and battles. Alesia and Vercingetorix. A million dead, a million enslaved. Caesar's own account as propaganda.

~30 min

4

Caesar Meets Britain

Coming Soon

Crossing the Rhine. First Roman in Britain. The expeditions of 55 and 54 BC. What Caesar found. Why he didn't stay. Propaganda value.

~25 min

5

Crossing the Rubicon: Civil War Begins

Coming Soon

The breaking of the Triumvirate. Recall to Rome. January 49 BC. 'The die is cast.' Why crossing a small river meant everything.

~25 min

6

Caesar vs Pompey: Civil War

Coming Soon

Pompey flees Rome. Campaigns in Spain, Greece, Egypt, Africa, Spain again. Pharsalus. Pompey's death. Four years to victory.

~30 min

7

Caesar and Cleopatra

Coming Soon

Arriving in Egypt. The Ptolemaic war. Cleopatra rolled in a carpet. Their relationship. Caesarion. Cleopatra in Rome. Scandal and significance.

~25 min

8

Dictator for Life: Caesar's Rule

Coming Soon

Reforms: calendar, citizenship, land distribution. Clemency policy. Accumulation of honors. Why didn't he take the crown? What was Caesar's vision?

~25 min

9

The Ides of March: Assassination

Coming Soon

The conspiracy forms. March 15, 44 BC. 23 stab wounds. 'Et tu, Brute?' — did he really say it? The immediate aftermath.

~25 min

10

After Caesar: The Empire He Created

Coming Soon

Antony's funeral speech. Caesar's will and Octavian. Civil wars resume. Antony and Cleopatra. Augustus and the Empire. Caesar's legacy.

~30 min

Julius Caesar: Conqueror, Dictator, Legend

The Man Who Became a God

What You'll Learn

The Rise

The Conquests

The Crossing

Caesar and Cleopatra

The Dictator

The Ides of March

All Episodes

Young Caesar: Patrician in Peril

The First Triumvirate: Rise to Power

The Gallic Wars: Conquering a Nation

Caesar Meets Britain

Crossing the Rubicon: Civil War Begins

Caesar vs Pompey: Civil War

Caesar and Cleopatra

Dictator for Life: Caesar's Rule

The Ides of March: Assassination

After Caesar: The Empire He Created

Related Collections

The Roman Republic: Rise of an Empire

Ancient Civilizations: Lost Worlds Revealed

The Fall of Rome: End of an Empire

Related Articles

The Ides of March: Why They Killed Caesar

Julius Caesar: The Man Who Ended the Roman Republic

Start Learning Today