Caesar -- Ancient History Encyclopedia

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12 Jul 100 BC - 15 Mar 44 BC

Life of Gaius Julius Caesar, founder of the Roman Empire.
60 BC - 53 BC

First Triumvirate' (no official approve by Senate) between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. Ends with death of Crassus in 53BC.
58 BC

Caesar attacks the Helvetii while on migration and defeats them.
58 BC - 51 BC

Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.
57 BC

A Roman army under Caesar narrowly defeats an army of Nervii, Atrebates, and Viromandui.
55 BC

Caesar attempts to invade Britain.
54 BC

Caesar successfully invades Britain but withdraws to Gaul.
54 BC - 53 BC

Ambiorix of the Eburones tribe destroys around 9,000 Roman soldiers at Atuatuca.
52 BC

Caesar defeated at Gergovia by Vercingetorix.
52 BC

After becoming trapped and besieged at Alesia Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar.
51 BC

Caesar's capture of Uxellodunum ends the Gallic War.
49 BC

Caesar crosses the Rubicon. Civil war between Caesar and Pompey begins.
48 BC

Battle of Pharsalus: Julius Caesar defeats Pompey.
48 BC

Caesar defeats Pompey at the battle of Pharsalus (Greece). Pompey flees to Egypt and is killed by Egyptians.
44 BC

Julius Caesar is murdered.
47 AD - 50 AD

Londinium (London) founded, roads constructed.

Definition

Caesar (100-44 BC) was the first to topple the republic of Rome. After conquering Gaul (58-50 BC) he had become the most powerful commander in Rome with a vast army loyal to him. By publishing his own memoirs of his conquest of Gaul, he framed himself as a great patriot, not an usurper of power.

When in 50 BC the senate elected Caesar's rival Pompey to commander-in-chief of the Roman military, Caesar conquered Italy with his army from Gaul in 49 BC. He then defeated Pompey at Pharsalos, and followed the fleeign Pompey to Egypt.

There, Caesar fell in love with Cleopatra VII (51-30 BC) who bore him a son: Caesarion. He made her and her brother Ptolemy XIV pharaohs of Egypt, securing a friendly Egyptian client state.

Back in Rome, Caesar instituted various tax reforms and tried to consolidate his own power. He was a monarch in all but name, which eventually enraged the senate and led to his assassination.

Written by Jan van der Crabben.

Articles

Caesar As Dictator: His Impact on the City of Rome

During his reign as dictator from 49-44 BC, Julius Caesar had a number of notable impacts on the city of Rome. One of the initial crises with which Caesar had to...
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Politics in the Forum Romanum: The Administrative and Governmental Buildings of the Roman Forum

The Forum Romanum was the main and central forum of the city of Rome. It became the economic, political, and religious center...
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