Caesar

Also known as: Caius Caesar / Julius Caesar · Family: Roman · Role: Roman leader · First appears: Numa Pompilius

Caesar, also known as Caius Caesar and Julius Caesar, was a Roman leader. His mother was Aurelia, his aunt was Julia, wife of Marius, and the younger Marius was his first cousin. He married Cornelia, daughter of Cinna, despite Sylla’s opposition; later he married Pompeia and then Calpurnia, daughter of Piso. Sylla was hostile to him because of his relationship with Marius, while Caesar accused Dolabella of maladministration and opposed Publius Antonius for corrupt practices.

Backed by Crassus and Pompey, Caesar shared the consulship with rival Calpurnius Bibulus. Crassus and Pompey later became consuls, and Caesar’s command was extended for five years while Crassus received Syria and Pompey the Spains. Pompey then married Caesar’s daughter Julia, strengthening their alliance, but the relationship ended in rivalry and war. Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalia, after which Pompey fled; Caesar also fought Ariovistus, Vergentorix, Pharnaces, Juba, and others, employing men such as Acilius, Cassius Scaeva, and Granius Petro. He pardoned and favored Marcus Brutus, made Decimus Brutus his second heir, and supported Antony, Lepidus, Curio, and Paulus.

Caesar was courted by Cleopatra and became an enemy of Cassius, Cato the Younger, Scipio, Cicero, Flavius, and Marullus. Marcus Brutus, Cassius, Casca, and the conspirators turned against him, and at the senate Casca “gave him the first, but a slight wound, about the shoulder.” After Caesar fell, Antony hid in disguise, then delivered a funeral oration that provoked the people against the assassins. Antony and Lepidus later became Caesar’s most faithful friends, and Octavian, Caesar’s niece’s son, was adopted by him and left as his heir.