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==Introduction==Julius Caesar is one of the most famous leaders from the ancient world. His life and death are very well-known and still fascinate. He is regarded as one of the greatest generals who ever lived and the man who ended the Roman Republic and paved the way for the Imperial system. This article will examine how Caesar was able to rise to supreme power. It will present the key events and the factors that allowed him to become the dominant factor in the Roman World and to become the Emperor in all but name. This study will demonstrate that there were three key reasons for the rise of Caesar and these were his role in the First Triumvirate, his conquest of Gaul and his victories in the Civil Wars. These were the key stages in Caesar’s rise to the ultimate position in Rome. __NOTOC__[[File:Caesar One.jpg.|200px|thumbthumbnail|left|Bust of Julius Caesar]]

==Caesar’s Early Life==Julius Caesar was born to a patrician Roman family who had once been very influential in is one of the most famous leaders of the Republicancient world. However, by His life and death are very well-known and still captivate people. He is not only one of the time of Caesar’s birthgreatest generals who ever lived, their fortunes had been in decline but he who destroyed the Roman Republic. His ascent shifted the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. How did Caesar to rise to Emperor in the Roman Republic? There were three key reasons for many years and they were no longer prominent, although the rise of Caesar: his father did serve as a governor <ref> Freemanrole in the First Triumvirate, Philiphis conquest of Gaul and his victories during the Civil Wars. Julius Caesar. Simon and Schuster, 2008), pThese were the key stages in Caesar’s career that allowed him to become the Emperor of Rome. 16</ref>. We know very little about  == What happened in Caesar’s Early Life? ==Caesar's childhood. Through his aunt, he was related born to Gaius Mariusa patrician Roman family that had once been very influential in the Republic. However, by the great general and this led the young Julius to become associated with the popular (populares) party time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had been in Romedecline for many years. These were aristocrats who had allied themselves with the poor. By the time he was sixteen, he was head Despite the decline of his their family after the early death of 's reputation, his father. At this timedid serve as a governor.<ref> Freeman, the bloody civil war between Marius and his enemy Sulla, head of the aristocratic or optimates partyPhilip. After Sulla occupied Rome, Caesar had to go into hiding so he would not become another victim of the bloody proscriptions<ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, vi<[https://ref>www.amazon. When Marius regained control of the city, com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar married a leading politicians daughter ]. Simon and became the high priest of JupiterSchuster, 2008), p. However, when Sulla recaptured Rome, 16</ref> We know very little about Caesar was stripped of 's childhood. Through his wealth and his officeaunt, he was related to Gaius Marius, the great general. He decided This encouraged the young Julius to join become associated with the army and served in Asia Minor and was decorated for braveryMarius's popular (populares) party in Rome. These were aristocrats who had allied themselves with the poor. Later after  By the time he was kidnapped by pirates sixteen, he led a successful punitive expedition against them and was once again decorated for bravery. Caesar returned to Rome and became one the head of his family after the leader early death of the Marian party or popular party <ref>Plutarch, vii</ref>his father. He was able to become very prominent in Rome because of his lavish expenditure and it was at At this time that he forged a political alliance with Crassus one , there was an ongoing bloody civil war between Marius and his Sulla, the head of the richest men in the cityaristocratic or optimates party. Caesar After Sulla occupied Rome, Caesar was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) in danger because of Rome and secured himself the governorship of a province in Spainhis party. In his new province He went into hiding so he defeated some rebellious tribes and was accorded a Triumph and he was later nominated to the office of Consul, one would not become another victim of the most important roles in Rome (60 AD). At this stagebloody proscriptions.<ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, vi</ref> When Marius regained control of the city, Caesar had married a rather conventional career or leading politicians daughter and became the cursus honorum as it was known in Rome and one that was typical high priest of a man of his classJupiter.  However, a series when Sulla recaptured Rome, Caesar was stripped of events which were brilliantly manipulated by Caesar his wealth and his military genius meant that he was office. He decided to become join the single most powerful Roman who lived, up to that point army and served in Asia Minor and the man who was to change Rome forever <ref> Grant, Michaeldecorated for bravery. Later after he was kidnapped by pirates he led a successful punitive expedition against them and was once again decorated for bravery. The Twelve Caesars (New York: Penguin Books, 1979), p 15</ref>. [[File: Caesar One.jpg.|200px|thumb|left|Bust returned to Rome and became one of the leaders of Julius Caesar]]==First Triumvirate==By 59 BCEthe Marian party or popular party.<ref>Plutarch, Caesar was one vii</ref> He became very prominent in Rome because of the most important his lavish expenditures. He also forged a political figures in Romealliance with Crassus, mainly because one of his connections to the old supporters of Marius Rome's richest men. Caesar was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of Rome and, secured himself the governorship of a province in Spain.  In his new province he appears to have been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans <ref> Plutarch, vix</ref>. The political situation in Rome defeated some rebellious tribes and was chaotic accorded a Triumph and political violence he was commonlater nominated to the office of Consul, often orchestrated by gangs connected to leading public figuresone of the most important roles in Rome (60 AD). In At this situationstage, nothing could get done Caesar had a rather conventional career or the <i>cursus honorum</i> as it was known in Rome and there one that was political gridlocktypical of a man of his class. The Senate wanted to control all aspects However, a series of political life as they had since the early days of the Republic. However, many aristocrats events which were frustrated brilliantly manipulated by the conservatism of the Senators Caesar and believed his military genius meant that it he was incapable of any meaningful decisions. Some of to become the leading figures in Rome at the time decided single most powerful Roman who lived, up to come together that point and the man who was to enter an informal alliance in order to provide some stability and to secure their own political aimschange Rome forever.<ref>HollandGrant, TomMichael. Rubicon<i>[https: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Press, 2003), p//www.amazon. 134<com/gp/product/0486822192/ref>. Pompey=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486822192&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=707967b3998ed8e0ee4b02e887ee7b50 The Twelve Caesars]</i> (New York: Penguin Books, 1979), sometimes known as Pompey the Great p 15</ref>{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}} == What was hailed by his contemporaries as a great general. While still a young man he had secured a series the First Triumvirate of victories which stabilized the Roman Republic Caesar, Pompey, and greatly expanded it. In a series Crassus? ==By 59 BCE, Caesar was one of campaignsthe most important political figures in Rome, he conquered a vast area around mainly because of his connections to the Black Sea and the modern Middle Eastold supporters of Marius. He was revered in the city but not even he could persuade the Senate to grant his veterans landsalso appears to have been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans. Crassus was very wealthy<ref> Plutarch, and he wanted to translate this into vix</ref> The political power. These two men entered into an alliance and they invited Caesar to join their informal arrangement. The richest man situation in Rome was chaotic and its most famous soldier needed the young aristocratpolitical violence was common, because of his links often orchestrated by gangs connected to the popularesleading public figures. They needed him to help them to obtain the votes that they needed to make sure that they could achieve their In this situation, nothing could get done and there was political goals and also guarantee at least some level of stability in the citygridlock. The Triumvirate was not an arrangement that was based on shared views or aims but was designed Senate wanted to help control all aspects of political life as they had since the trio to further their ambitionsearly days of the Republic. This arrangement benefitted Caesar immensely it allowed him to pay off some However, many aristocrats were frustrated by the conservatism of his debts the Senators and to extend his influence believed that it was incapable of any meaningful decisions. Some of the leading figures in Rome at the city. Most importantly it allowed him time decided to become Consul in 59AD come together and to initiate a series of reforms aimed at benefiting the ordinary Roman, which made him wildly popular enter an informal alliance in certain segments of society <order to provide some stability and to secure their own political aims.<ref>Holland, p 156Tom. <i>[https://ref>www. This allowed him to establish a network of supporters such as Clodius who were to protect and advance his interestsamazon. Moreover, his consulship allowed him com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the command of four legions and a provinceRoman Republic]</i> (London, Anchor Press, 2003), in what is now southern Francep. This was to allow him to embark on his military career which 134</ref>  Pompey, sometimes known as Pompey the Great was to be the key to hailed by his successcontemporaries as a great general. ==Gallic Wars==Some allies While still a young man he had secured a series of victories which stabilized the Romans in Gaul (modern France Roman Republic and Belgium) were defeated by Germanic tribesgreatly expanded it. This was used by Caesar as In a series of campaigns, he conquered a pretext to intervene into Gaul vast area around the Black Sea and to begin its conquestthe modern Middle East. Caesar He was revered in the city but not even he could persuade the Senate to prove to be a general of genius<ref>Grantgrant his veterans lands. Crassus was very wealthy, pand he wanted to translate this into political power. 98</ref>These two men entered into an alliance and they invited Caesar to join their informal arrangement. He defeated the Germanic tribes with great brutality. The Gaul The richest man in the North Rome and West were alarmed by its most famous soldier needed the appearance young aristocrat, because of Romans and they began his links to form defensive alliancesthe populares. These were interpreted by Caesar as a threat They needed him to the Romans even though this may not have been the case. He ordered his legions to march help them to obtain the far north of Gaul votes that they needed to make sure that they could achieve their political goals and he conquered much also guarantee at least some level of stability in the area and later he also extended Roman influence into city.  The Triumvirate was not an arrangement that was based on shared views or aims but was designed to help the south-westtrio to further their ambitions. This arrangement benefitted Caesar had begun the conquest immensely it allowed him to pay off some of Gaul without the sanction of the Senate his debts and many regarded to extend his campaign as an illegal warinfluence in the city. At a conference Most importantly it allowed him to become Consul in Lucca in 55 BCE at this Caesar was able 59AD and to extend his consulshipinitiate a series of reforms aimed at benefiting the ordinary Roman, and his command which made him wildly popular in Gaul for another five yearscertain segments of society. However<ref>Holland, many fierce tribes such p 156</ref> This allowed him to establish a network of supporters such as the Belgae continued Clodius who were to resist Romans protect and Caesar was involved in much fierce fightingadvance his interests. He did find the time to launch Moreover, his consulship allowed him the command of four legions and a raid on Britainprovince, in what is now southern France. The Roman general This was a great propagandist and he wrote reports to allow him to embark on his campaigns that informed military career which was to be the public of key to his achievementssuccess. These are considered to be classics of Latin Literature == Why did Caesar's conquer Gaul? ==[[File: Caesar Two. While jpg|300px|thumb|left|A Gallic chieftain submitting to Caesar was popular with many he was hated by many Senators ]]Some allies of the Romans in Rome. He continued his campaigns Gaul (modern France and at the Battle of Alessia he won a decisive victory, which ended the conflictBelgium) were defeated by Germanic tribes. After his victory, This was used by Caesar had the command of as a large army of seasoned troops who were loyal pretext to him intervene in Gaul and many partisans in his native city. Much of the wealth he made in Gaul was used to finance his supportersbegin its conquest. Caesar had by now even eclipsed Pompeywas a remarkable general. However<ref>Grant, p. 98</ref> He successfully defeated the Senate wanted to strip him of his army and to prosecute himGermanic tribes after he went north. This led him to demand that he be allowed to retain control The Gaul in the North and West were alarmed by the appearance of his legions Romans and they began to protect his interests when form defensive alliances. These alliances were interpreted by Caesar as a threat to Rome even though this was refused Caesar crossed may not have been the Rubicon and occupied Rome, which he saw as an act of self-defence against those who would harm him case.  He ordered his legions to march to the far north of Gaul and his supporters<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>.[[File: Caesar Twohe conquered much of the area.jpgHe also extended Roman influence into the south-west.|200px|thumb|left|A Gallic chieftain submitting to Caesar]]== Civil Wars (49-44 BCE)==Caesar was by now Caesar had begun the conquest of Gaul without the sanction of the most powerful man in Rome, but he had Senate and many enemies. Pompey and regarded his old foes the conservative Senators formed campaign as an alliance against Caesarillegal war. However, they had no legions at their disposal At a conference in Lucca in Italy and they fled 55 BCE, Caesar's consulship was extended. In addition to the Balkans. Here they assembled a number extending his consulship, Caesar was in charge of legionsGaul for another five years. The majority  <dh-ad/> == How did Caesar's invasion of the Roman Senate joined the Pompeiians as they came Gaul and Britain allow him to be known and they controlled most of the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. seize power in Rome? ==Eventually, Caesar knew he did launch a raid on Britain. The Roman general was vulnerable a great propagandist and he wrote reports on his campaigns that many in Italy hated him, despite informed the public of his generally tolerant and benign ruleachievements. He knew that he had These are considered to defeat Pompeybe classics of Latin Literature. While Caesar took several legions to the Balkans and confronted the army of Pompey. This campaign was very difficult for Caesar and popular with many, he was lucky to escape a decisive defeathated by many Senators in Rome. The conqueror He continued his campaigns and at the Battle of the Gaul’s manoeuvred Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus Alessia, he won a decisive victory that ended the conflict in modern GreeceBritain. Caesar was out-numbered, and After his opponent was a great general. Howevervictory, Caesar prevailed at Pharsalus and smashed the commanded a large army of Pompey. This did not end the civil war. The victor returned seasoned troops who were loyal to Rome him and based on many partisans in his success native city.  He used to spoils of his Gaul and the assertation that Britain to finance his enemies were a threat to the Republic he supporters. Caesar had himself declared Dictator, by the rump of now even eclipsed Pompey. However, the Senate who had not fled in 50 BCE. This was an office that gave wanted to strip him extraordinary powers, of his army and to prosecute him. When he was effectively responded to the sole ruler Senate, he demanded that he be allowed to retain control of his legions. He sought to protect his interests from the Roman RepublicSenate. He left Mark Anthony in control of When his request was refused by the Senate, Caesar crossed the Rubicon and occupied Rome and Italy<ref> "Suetonius. While it was an aggressive step to take, Life of Caesar, LXXIV<justified it as an act of self-defense against those who sought to harm him and his supporters.<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>. Pompey escaped, after Pharsalus and he and other senators vowed to continue  == How did Caesar win the war. Roman Civil Wars of 49-44 BCE? == Caesar was even after Pharsalus still not master of by now the Roman Worldmost powerful man in Rome, but he had many enemies. Pompey was killed by a Roman renegade on the orders of the Pharaoh, but and his adherents continued old foes the fightconservative Senators formed an alliance against Caesar. The Pompeiians seized control of Africa However, they had no legions at their disposal in Italy and Spainthey fled to the Balkans. Caesar fought wars all over Here they assembled a number of legions. The majority of the Roman Senate joined the Mediterranean Pompeiians as they came to be known and he emerged victorious. He knew that all long as his enemies were in they controlled most of the Eastern provinces of the field that Roman Empire. Caesar knew he was not secure. Caesar finally defeated vulnerable and that many in Italy hated him, despite his enemies at the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spaingenerally tolerant and benign rule. After there was no real resistance He knew that he had to the rule of defeat Pompey. Caesar and he returned took several legions to Rome the Balkans and he had himself appointed Dictator for lifeconfronted the army of Pompey. He This campaign was by 44 AD the supreme leader in the Roman World very difficult for Caesar and he was arguably lucky to escape a decisive defeat. The conqueror of the first Emperor Gaul’s maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in Roman historymodern Greece. Caesar was out-numbered, although the majority of authorities hold that Augustus and his opponent was the first Emperor<ref> Osgooda great general.  However, Josiah. Caesar's Legacy: Civil War prevailed at Pharsalus and smashed the Emergence army of Pompey. This did not end the Roman Empire (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006) pcivil war. 60</ref>. This was The victor returned to Rome and based largely on his military prowess success and the assertation that his success on countless battlefields around Europe and enemies were a threat to the Middle East.[[File: Caesar 3Republic he had himself declared Dictator, by the rump of the Senate who had not fled in 50 BCE.jpg.|200px|thumb|left|A medieval manuscript showing Pompey fleeing Caesar]]==Conclusion==Caesar was a remarkable leader This was an office that gave him extraordinary powers, and the secret of his success was that he was able to seize any opportunity in both effectively the military and in sole ruler of the political arenaRoman Republic. This young man who came from an aristocratic family that had been long He left Mark Anthony in decline was able to use his many talents to become the sole rule control of Rome and Italy.<ref> Suetonius, Life of Rome and to be the architect of the Roman Imperial System. Caesar, Caesar was able LXXIV</ref> Pompey escaped, after Pharsalus and he and other senators vowed to achieve this because of continue the followingwar. He Caesar was a member even after Pharsalus still not master of the popular party and he Roman World. Pompey was eventually able to secure an ascendancy over this political group. Based killed by a Roman renegade on his support and influence he participate in the informal arrangement known as orders of the First Triumvirate. This informal political alliance elevated him to become one of Pharaoh, but his adherents continued the most important politicians in Romefight. This allowed him to become Consul  The Pompeiians seized control of Africa and to command a force of legionsSpain. It also enabled him to undertake Caesar fought wars all over the conquest of GaulMediterranean and he emerged victoriously. This was not sanctioned but the support of the other parties He knew that all long as his enemies were in the Triumvirate allowed him to continue the conquest of Gaulfield that he was not secure. In Caesar finally defeated his enemies at the aftermath Battle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain. After there was no real resistance to the conquest rule of Gaul Caesar and he was able returned to occupy Rome and to defeat his opponents in a series of warshe had himself appointed Dictator for life. This allowed him to dominate Rome, but his glory He was to be short-lived by 44 AD the supreme leader in the Roman World and he was assassinated arguably the first Emperor in 44 BCERoman history, although the majority of authorities hold that Augustus was the first Emperor.<ref> Osgood, Josiah. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521671779/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521671779&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78feb0248f30b4a6c2cfaa0048334c9f Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006) p. 60</ref> This was based largely on his military prowess and his success on countless battlefields around Europe and the Middle East. == How did Caesar become a Dictator? ==Caesar was a remarkable leader and the secret to his success was that he was able to seize opportunities in both the military and the political arena. This was a young man who came from an aristocratic family that had been long in decline but he was able to use his many talents to become the sole rule of Rome and the architect of the Roman Imperial System.  How did Caesar seize control of Rome? He was a member of the Populares Party and he was eventually able to secure leadership of this political group. Based on his support and influence he participated in the informal arrangement known as the First Triumvirate. This informal political alliance elevated him to become one of the most important politicians in Rome. This allowed him to become Consul and command a force of legions. Despite objections by the Senate, he used his legions to conquer Gaul and invade Britain. The support of the other parties in the Triumvirate allowed him to ignore the Senate. In the aftermath of the conquest of Gaul, he sent his troops across the Rubicon and occupied Rome. After he seized Rome, he triggered a Civil War that he won. While his rise was both remarkable and swift, it was ultimately short-lived because [[Why was Julius Caesar assassinated? |he was assassinated in 44 BCE]]. ====Suggested Readings====* Goldsworthy, Adrian, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300126891/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300126891&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e3d7ca205d235ca4f80c8f42d215447a Caesar: Life of a Colossus]</i> (Yale University Press, 2008)* Freeman, Philip. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]</i>. Simon and Schuster, 2008)* Grant, Michael. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486822192/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486822192&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=707967b3998ed8e0ee4b02e887ee7b50 The Twelve Caesars]</i> (New York: Penguin Books, 1979)* Osgood, Josiah. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521671779/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521671779&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78feb0248f30b4a6c2cfaa0048334c9f Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006)* Holland, Tom. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic] (London, Anchor Press, 2003)* Goodman, Rob. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250042623/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250042623&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4c9157524f8c44ff12d67a6dff4613ad Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato: Mortal Enemy of Caesar]'' (St. Martin's Griffen, 2014) <div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>====Related Articles====*[[What made Julius Caesar a great general?]]*[[Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?]]*[[How did Caesar's conquest of Gaul change both Rome and Gaul?]]*[[What were the consequences of Caesar's assassination?]]{{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=3}}</div>====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Roman History]][[Category:Julius Caesar]][[Category:Ancient History]]