100-44 B.C.E.
General, Statesman

Dictator for Life. Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C.E., descended from an ancient and noble Roman family that could allegedly trace its ancestry back to the goddess Venus. His early career as a politician and public speaker was successful but unremarkable. It began to accelerate when he unexpectedly won election to the chief priesthood in 63 B.C.E. and, after serving as praetor, conducted successful military operations in Spain in 61 B.C.E. He then formed an alliance with the great general Gnaeus Pompeius (Pompey) and the wealthy Marcus Crassus. Caesar was elected consul for 59 B.C.E. (during which time he passed a large legislative program) and then made military governor of southern France for ten years after this. During this time he conquered the rest of France and fought campaigns in Britain as well...