back ground of julius ceaser
- one of Ancient Rome's most famous individuals
- was born in 100 BC - or near to that year.
- Julius Caesar joined the Roman Army in 81 BC and was the first Roman army commander to invade England which he did in 55 BC and again in 54 BC.
- Caesar was born into a wealthy family and he was a well educated child who was good at sports After serving in the Roman Army, Caesar developed an interest in politics.
- He became a driven man who wanted to get to the highest positions in Roman politics
- was a Roman general, statesman, and author
- 59 B.C. Caesar was elected Roman Consul
- While in office, Caesar was appointed governor of the province of Cisalpine Gaul (France)
- Caesar proceeded to north, conquering much of western Europe in the name of the Roman Republic, eventually making it all the way to modern day england before finally halting his progress.
- In 50 B.C., his governorship ended, Caesar was ordered back to Rome by the Roman Senate, led by Pompey.
- But he was seen by some as a cruel man solely driven by expanding his own personal power.
- As a result, he made enemies of important politicians in Rome itself.
- Some senior army generals, such as Pompey, were also very concerned about Caesar's intentions.
- Due to a long standing law in Rome, Caesar would have to disband his legions prior to crossing the Rubicon, which ran north of Rome.
- No General was allowed to bring their armies any closer to Rome – such an act would be viewed as an act of war. It was this law which allowed the Romans to live peacefully with their neighbors.
- camped with his army beside the Rubicon in 49 B.C. where Caesar decided that, “the die has been cast,” and that it was time to take action.
- So he marshaled his forces and brought them with him across the Rubicon as a sign of rebellion, then proceeded to lead them on an invasion of Italy and Rome into a great civil war. After claiming victory, Caesar was named “Dictator for Life,” and the Roman Empire (as history will always remember it) was born. It was the crossing of the Rubicon which opened the doors for Rome to expand and take over most of the known world within the next few centuries.
between the Roman province of Cisalpine Gaul to the north and the Roman heartland to the south
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