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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==Caesar was born to a patrician Roman family who had once been very influential in the Republic. However, by the time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had been in decline for many years and they were no longer prominent, although his father did serve as a governor <ref> Freeman, Philip. Julius Caesar. Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16</ref>. We know very little about Caesar's childhood. Through his aunt, he was related to Gaius Marius, the great general and this led the young Julius to become associated with the popular (populares) party in Rome. These were aristocrats who had allied themselves with the poor. By the time he was sixteen, he was head is one of his family after the early death of his father. At this time, the bloody civil war between Marius and his enemy Sulla, head of the aristocratic or optimates party. After Sulla occupied Rome, Caesar had to go into hiding so he would not become another victim most famous leaders of the bloody proscriptions<ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, vi</ref>ancient world. When Marius regained control of the city, Caesar married a leading politicians daughter His life and became the high priest of Jupiter. However, when Sulla recaptured Rome, Caesar was stripped of his wealth death are very well-known and his officestill captivate people. He decided to join the army and served in Asia Minor and was decorated for bravery. Later after he was kidnapped by pirates he led a successful punitive expedition against them and was once again decorated for bravery. Caesar returned to Rome and became is not only one of the leader of the Marian party or popular party <ref>Plutarchgreatest generals who ever lived, vii</ref>. He was able to become very prominent in Rome because of his lavish expenditure and it was at this time that but he forged a political alliance with Crassus one of who destroyed the richest men in the cityRoman Republic. Caesar was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of Rome and secured himself His ascent shifted the governorship of a province in Spain. In his new province he defeated some rebellious tribes and was accorded a Triumph and he was later nominated to the office of Consul, one of the most important roles in Rome (60 AD). At this stage, Caesar had a rather conventional career or the cursus honorum as it was known in Rome and one that was typical of a man of his class. However, a series of events which were brilliantly manipulated by Caesar and his military genius meant that he was Roman Republic to become the single most powerful Roman who lived, up to that point and the man who was to change Rome forever <ref> Grant, Michael. The Twelve Caesars (New York: Penguin Books, 1979), p 15</ref>Empire.

==How did Caesar to rise to Emperor in the Roman Republic? There were three key reasons for the rise of Caesar: his role in the First Triumvirate==By 59 BCE, Caesar was one his conquest of Gaul and his victories during the Civil Wars. These were the most important political figures key stages in Rome, mainly because of his connections Caesar’s career that allowed him to become the old supporters Emperor of Marius and, he appears Rome. == What happened in Caesar’s Early Life? ==Caesar was born to have a patrician Roman family that had once been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans very influential in the Republic. However, by the time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had been in decline for many years. Despite the decline of their family's reputation, his father did serve as a governor.<ref> PlutarchFreeman, vixPhilip. [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]. Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16</ref>. The political situation in Rome  We know very little about Caesar's childhood. Through his aunt, he was chaotic and political violence was commonrelated to Gaius Marius, often orchestrated by gangs connected to leading public figuresthe great general. In this situation, nothing could get done and there was political gridlock. The Senate wanted This encouraged the young Julius to control all aspects of political life as they become associated with the Marius's popular (populares) party in Rome. These were aristocrats who had since allied themselves with the early days of poor. By the Republic. Howevertime he was sixteen, many aristocrats were frustrated by he was the conservatism head of his family after the Senators and believed that it was incapable early death of any meaningful decisionshis father. Some of the leading figures in Rome at the At this time decided to come together and to enter , there was an informal alliance in order to provide some stability ongoing bloody civil war between Marius and to secure their own political aims<ref>Hollandhis Sulla, Tom. Rubicon: The Last Years the head of the Roman Republic (Londonaristocratic or optimates party. After Sulla occupied Rome, Anchor Press, 2003), pCaesar was in danger because of his party. He went into hiding so he would not become another victim of the bloody proscriptions. 134<ref> Plutarch, Life of Caesar, vi</ref>. PompeyWhen Marius regained control of the city, sometimes known as Pompey Caesar married a leading politicians daughter and became the Great high priest of Jupiter.  However, when Sulla recaptured Rome, Caesar was hailed by stripped of his wealth and his contemporaries as a great generaloffice. While still a young man he had secured a series of victories which stabilized He decided to join the Roman Republic army and served in Asia Minor and greatly expanded itwas decorated for bravery. In Later after he was kidnapped by pirates he led a series successful punitive expedition against them and was once again decorated for bravery. Caesar returned to Rome and became one of campaigns, he conquered a vast area around the Black Sea and leaders of the modern Middle EastMarian party or popular party. <ref>Plutarch, vii</ref> He was revered became very prominent in the city but not even he could persuade the Senate to grant Rome because of his veterans landslavish expenditures. Crassus was very wealthyHe also forged a political alliance with Crassus, and he wanted to translate this into political powerone of Rome's richest men. These two men entered into an alliance and they invited Caesar to join their informal arrangement. The richest man in Caesar was later elected Pontifex Maximus (chief priest) of Rome and its most famous soldier needed secured himself the young aristocrat, because governorship of a province in Spain.  In his links new province he defeated some rebellious tribes and was accorded a Triumph and he was later nominated to the populares. They needed him to help them to obtain office of Consul, one of the votes that they needed to make sure that they could achieve their political goals and also guarantee at least some level of stability most important roles in the cityRome (60 AD). The Triumvirate At this stage, Caesar had a rather conventional career or the <i>cursus honorum</i> as it was not an arrangement known in Rome and one that was based on shared views or aims but typical of a man of his class. However, a series of events which were brilliantly manipulated by Caesar and his military genius meant that he was designed to help become the trio single most powerful Roman who lived, up to further their ambitions. This arrangement benefitted Caesar immensely it allowed him to pay off some of his debts that point and the man who was to extend his influence in the citychange Rome forever. Most importantly it allowed him to become Consul in 59AD and to initiate a series of reforms aimed at benefiting the ordinary Roman<ref>Grant, which made him wildly popular in certain segments of society Michael. <refi>Holland, p 156<[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486822192/ref>. This allowed him to establish a network of supporters such as Clodius who were to protect and advance his interests. Moreover=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), his consulship allowed him p 15</ref>{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}} == What was the command First Triumvirate of four legions Caesar, Pompey, and a province, in what is now southern France. This Crassus? ==By 59 BCE, Caesar was to allow him to embark on his military career which was to be one of the key most important political figures in Rome, mainly because of his connections to his successthe old supporters of Marius. ==Gallic Wars==Some allies of the He also appears to have been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans .<ref> Plutarch, vix</ref> The political situation in Gaul (modern France Rome was chaotic and Belgium) were defeated by Germanic tribes. This political violence was used common, often orchestrated by Caesar as a pretext gangs connected to intervene into Gaul and to begin its conquestleading public figures. Caesar In this situation, nothing could get done and there was political gridlock. The Senate wanted to prove to be a general control all aspects of political life as they had since the early days of genius<ref>Grant, p. 98</ref>. He defeated the Germanic tribes with great brutalityRepublic. The Gaul in the North and West were alarmed However, many aristocrats were frustrated by the appearance conservatism of Romans the Senators and they began to form defensive alliancesbelieved that it was incapable of any meaningful decisions. These were interpreted by Caesar as a threat to Some of the leading figures in Rome at the Romans even though this may not have been the case. He ordered his legions time decided to march come together and to enter an informal alliance in order to the far north of Gaul and he conquered much of the area provide some stability and later he also extended Roman influence into to the south-westsecure their own political aims.<ref>Holland, Tom. Caesar had begun the conquest of Gaul without the sanction of the Senate and many regarded his campaign as an illegal war<i>[https://www.amazon. At a conference in Lucca in 55 BCE at this Caesar was able to extend his consulshipcom/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]</i> (London, Anchor Press, and his command in Gaul for another five years2003), p. However134</ref>  Pompey, many fierce tribes such sometimes known as Pompey the Belgae continued to resist Romans and Caesar Great was involved in much fierce fighting. He did find the time to launch hailed by his contemporaries as a raid on Britaingreat general. The Roman general was While still a great propagandist and young man he wrote reports on his campaigns that informed had secured a series of victories which stabilized the public of his achievementsRoman Republic and greatly expanded it. These are considered to be classics In a series of Latin Literaturecampaigns, he conquered a vast area around the Black Sea and the modern Middle East. While Caesar He was popular with many he was hated by many Senators revered in Rome. He continued his campaigns and at the Battle of Alessia city but not even he won a decisive victory, which ended could persuade the conflictSenate to grant his veterans lands. After his victoryCrassus was very wealthy, Caesar had the command of a large army of seasoned troops who were loyal to him and many partisans in his native city. Much of the wealth he made in Gaul was used wanted to finance his supporterstranslate this into political power. These two men entered into an alliance and they invited Caesar had by now even eclipsed Pompeyto join their informal arrangement. HoweverThe richest man in Rome and its most famous soldier needed the young aristocrat, the Senate wanted to strip him because of his army and links to prosecute himthe populares. This led They needed him to demand help them to obtain the votes that he be allowed they needed to retain control make sure that they could achieve their political goals and also guarantee at least some level of his legions to protect his interests when this stability in the city.  The Triumvirate was refused Caesar crossed the Rubicon and occupied Rome, which he saw as not an act arrangement that was based on shared views or aims but was designed to help the trio to further their ambitions. This arrangement benefitted Caesar immensely it allowed him to pay off some of self-defence against those who would harm him his debts and to extend his supporters<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>influence in the city.[[File: Caesar Two.jpg.|200px|thumb|left|A Gallic chieftain submitting Most importantly it allowed him to become Consul in 59AD and to Caesar]]== Civil Wars (49-44 BCE)==Caesar was by now initiate a series of reforms aimed at benefiting the most powerful man in Romeordinary Roman, but he had many enemieswhich made him wildly popular in certain segments of society. Pompey and his old foes the conservative Senators formed an alliance against Caesar. However<ref>Holland, they had no legions at their disposal in Italy and they fled p 156</ref> This allowed him to the Balkans. Here they assembled establish a number network of legions. The majority of the Roman Senate joined the Pompeiians supporters such as they came Clodius who were to be known protect and they controlled most of the Eastern provinces advance his interests. Moreover, his consulship allowed him the command of the Roman Empire. Caesar knew he was vulnerable four legions and that many a province, in Italy hated him, despite what is now southern France. This was to allow him to embark on his generally tolerant and benign rule. He knew that he had military career which was to be the key to defeat Pompeyhis success.  == Why did Caesar's conquer Gaul? ==[[File: Caesar took several legions to the Balkans and confronted the army of PompeyTwo. This campaign was very difficult for jpg|300px|thumb|left|A Gallic chieftain submitting to Caesar ]]Some allies of the Romans in Gaul (modern France and he Belgium) were defeated by Germanic tribes. This was lucky used by Caesar as a pretext to intervene in Gaul and to escape begin its conquest. Caesar was a decisive defeatremarkable general. The conqueror of <ref>Grant, p. 98</ref> He successfully defeated the Gaul’s manoeuvred Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in modern GreeceGermanic tribes after he went north. Caesar was out-numbered, The Gaul in the North and his opponent was a great general. However, Caesar prevailed at Pharsalus and smashed West were alarmed by the army appearance of PompeyRomans and they began to form defensive alliances. This did These alliances were interpreted by Caesar as a threat to Rome even though this may not end have been the civil warcase. The victor returned  He ordered his legions to Rome and based on his success and the assertation that his enemies were a threat march to the Republic far north of Gaul and he had himself declared Dictator, by conquered much of the area. He also extended Roman influence into the south-west. Caesar had begun the conquest of Gaul without the rump sanction of the Senate who had not fled and many regarded his campaign as an illegal war. At a conference in Lucca in 50 55 BCE, Caesar's consulship was extended. This was an office that gave him extraordinary powersIn addition to extending his consulship, and he Caesar was effectively the sole ruler in charge of the Roman RepublicGaul for another five years. He left Mark Anthony in control of Rome and Italy <refdh-ad/> "Suetonius, Life  == How did Caesar's invasion of Caesar, LXXIV</ref>. Pompey escapedGaul and Britain allow him to seize power in Rome? ==Eventually, after Pharsalus Caesar did launch a raid on Britain. The Roman general was a great propagandist and he and other senators vowed wrote reports on his campaigns that informed the public of his achievements. These are considered to continue the warbe classics of Latin Literature. While Caesar was even after Pharsalus still not master of the Roman World. Pompey popular with many, he was killed hated by a Roman renegade on many Senators in Rome. He continued his campaigns and at the orders Battle of the PharaohAlessia, but his adherents continued he won a decisive victory that ended the fightconflict in Britain. The Pompeiians seized control After his victory, Caesar commanded a large army of Africa and Spain. Caesar fought wars all over the Mediterranean seasoned troops who were loyal to him and he emerged victoriousmany partisans in his native city.  He knew that all long as used to spoils of his Gaul and Britain to finance his enemies were in the field that he was not securesupporters. Caesar finally defeated his enemies at had by now even eclipsed Pompey. However, the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain. After there was no real resistance Senate wanted to the rule strip him of Caesar his army and to prosecute him. When he returned responded to Rome and the Senate, he demanded that he had himself appointed Dictator for lifebe allowed to retain control of his legions. He sought to protect his interests from the Senate. When his request was refused by 44 AD the supreme leader in Senate, Caesar crossed the Roman World Rubicon and he occupied Rome. While it was arguably the first Emperor in Roman historyan aggressive step to take, although the majority Caesar justified it as an act of authorities hold that Augustus was the first Emperorself-defense against those who sought to harm him and his supporters.<ref> OsgoodPlutarch, Josiah. Caesar's Legacy: ix</ref> == How did Caesar win the Roman Civil War and the Emergence Wars of 49-44 BCE? == Caesar was by now the Roman Empire (Cambridgemost powerful man in Rome, Cambridge University Press, 2006) pbut he had many enemies. 60</ref>. This was based largely on his military prowess Pompey and his success on countless battlefields around Europe and old foes the Middle East.[[File: conservative Senators formed an alliance against Caesar 3.jpg.|200px|thumb|left|A medieval manuscript showing Pompey fleeing Caesar]]==Conclusion==Caesar was a remarkable leader However, they had no legions at their disposal in Italy and they fled to the secret Balkans. Here they assembled a number of legions. The majority of his success was that he was able to seize any opportunity in both the military and in Roman Senate joined the political arena. This young man who Pompeiians as they came from an aristocratic family that had been long in decline was able to use his many talents to become the sole rule of Rome be known and to be they controlled most of the architect Eastern provinces of the Roman Imperial SystemEmpire. Caesar knew he was able to achieve this because of the following. He was a member of the popular party vulnerable and he was eventually able to secure an ascendancy over this political group. Based on that many in Italy hated him, despite his support generally tolerant and influence benign rule. He knew that he participate in had to defeat Pompey. Caesar took several legions to the informal arrangement known as Balkans and confronted the First Triumviratearmy of Pompey. This informal political alliance elevated him campaign was very difficult for Caesar and he was lucky to become one escape a decisive defeat. The conqueror of the most important politicians Gaul’s maneuvered Pompey into a battle at Pharsalus in Romemodern Greece. This allowed him to become Consul Caesar was out-numbered, and to command his opponent was a force great general.  However, Caesar prevailed at Pharsalus and smashed the army of legions. It also enabled him to undertake the conquest of GaulPompey. This was did not sanctioned but end the support of the other parties in the Triumvirate allowed him civil war. The victor returned to Rome and based on his success and the assertation that his enemies were a threat to continue the conquest of Gaul. In Republic he had himself declared Dictator, by the aftermath rump of the conquest of Gaul he was able to occupy Rome and to defeat his opponents Senate who had not fled in a series of wars50 BCE. This allowed was an office that gave him to dominate Romeextraordinary powers, but his glory and he was to be short-lived effectively the sole ruler of the Roman Republic. He left Mark Anthony in control of Rome and he was assassinated in 44 BCEItaly.<ref> Suetonius, Life of Caesar, LXXIV</ref> Pompey escaped, after Pharsalus and he and other senators vowed to continue the war. Caesar was even after Pharsalus still not master of the Roman World. Pompey was killed by a Roman renegade on the orders of the Pharaoh, but his adherents continued the fight.  The Pompeiians seized control of Africa and Spain. Caesar fought wars all over the Mediterranean and he emerged victoriously. He knew that all long as his enemies were in the field that he was not secure. Caesar finally defeated his enemies at the Battle of Munda in 45 BCE in Spain. After there was no real resistance to the rule of Caesar and he returned to Rome and he had himself appointed Dictator for life. He was by 44 AD the supreme leader in the Roman World and he was arguably the first Emperor in Roman 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]]