Julius Caesar

For centuries the Roman Empire has always been associated with one name, Julius Caesar. Unmistakably one of history’s most influential leaders since the existence of human civilization, and a man who was both feared and idolized. Caesar was brought to life in one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Julius Caesar. Although Shakespeare’s words kept the history of Caesar alive, it fails to show the side of Caesar some people do not consider. Caesar is depicted as humorless, pompous, and even fearful; all attributes which friends and enemies in his own time would have found perplexingly off base. There is no hint of the personal charm, wit and lure for which he was notorious. Unlike Shakespeare’s play Caesar himself was a far more complicated and fascinating character than Shakespeare’s portrayal.

Caesar’s birth lies on the month of Quinctilis, which in later years became known as July named after Julius himself. He came from a family with a long history of influence on Roman politics. Although before his birth his family had fallen from wealth and notoriety and Caesar was born into an impoverished patrician family. Caesar’s past family history might have been a driving influence on

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Like the famous quote in Shakespeare’s play Caesar was a man of ambition. The works that were set in motion way before the birth of Caesar was just a precursor for the events that were to become Caesar’s fate.

Caesar escaped a plot on his life and later his relatives pleaded with Sulla to spare his life. The spot on the consul was a huge step forward involving Caesar’s political career. With his client army still intact Caesar crossed the Rubicon which signified Caesar’s change in position. The client system was an important aspect in the political significance of Roman politics. Fear arose with Caesar’s increasing power and his client army, and the Senate order Caesar to disband his army.

Caesar’s life was cut short on March fifteenth or better known as the ides of March. Although after Marius death he was ordered to leave by Sulla. When Sulla became dictator of Rome due to help from his client army he immediately sought out Caesar. Although the ever-growing problems in the first triumvirate over shadowed Caesar’s success and a civil war would soon break out. What came next is one of the most influential events not only in Caesar’s life but also in western civilization. Before Caesar’s time Marius had been on the consulship six times and had drafted several Roman Republic reforms. In Caesar’ teenage years he had been appointed to the Flamen of Dialis which was the high priest of Jupiter.

Approximate Word count = 1446
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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