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Julius Caesar is born 100 BCE
100 BCE: Caesar is born into the patrician gens Iulia, which supposedly descended from Aeneas' son Iulus. -
Period: to
100-44 BCE
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Marries Cornelia, 85 BCE
Because Cornelia came from a Populares family, Caesar's marriage put him at odds with Sulla, the current dictator and Optimates leader. Sulla then ordered Caesar's death by putting on his infamous proscription list, and Caesar was forced into hiding. -
Captured by pirates, 75 BCE
Caesar was taken by Cilician pirates while sailing to Greece to continue his studies. He supposedly joked around with the pirates, had a good time, and even negotiated a higher ransom for himself. But after he was safe in Rome, he ensured that the pirates were crucified as a lesson to others. -
Marries Pompeia, 67 BCE
After Cornelia died, Caesar married the granddaughter of his formal rival Sulla. He was also elected quaestor at this time. -
Divorce and Pontifex Maximus, 63 BCE
Caesar divorces Pompeia over a scandal with another man, declaring that "the wife of Caesar must be above suspicion." He is also elected Pontifex Maximus, the extremely powerful lifelong office of chief priest. -
First Triumvirate, 60 BCE
He forms an unofficial alliance with Pompey the Great and Crassus, two powerful generals. Caesar's enemies called the first triumvirate a "three-headed monster." Caesar aimed to use this alliance to get elected consul. -
Conquest of Gaul, 58-49 BCE
After serving as consul in 59, Caesar heads out to conquer Gaul and remains on this campaign for 9 years. It is here that he writes his Commentaries "De Bello Gallico." -
Civil War, 49 BCE
Caesar crosses the Rubicon and enters Rome with his army, essentially declaring a Civil War. He supposedly said, upon crossing the Rubicon, that "alea iacta est" (the dies is cast). He seizes Rome and installs himself as Dictator. -
Battle of Pharsalus, 48 BCE
Caesar fights and defeats Pompey at Pharsalus in Greece. He pardons all Roman soldiers, including Brutus, but Pompey himself flees to Egypt. -
Affair with Cleopatra, 48 BCE
1) Caesar pursues Pompey in Egypt, and the Egyptians behead Pompey to gain Caesar's favor. 2) He meets and begins a torrid affair with the Ptolmaic Queen Cleopatra. 3) Finally, he orders the burning of the Egyptian fleet, and the famous library of Alexandria goes up in flames as well. -
Assassination, 44 BCE
On March 15, Caesar is stabbed to death by a group of enemy senators at the portico of the Theater of Pompey. Hence the famous quip: "Beware the Ides of March." -
Dictator Perpetuus, Feb. 44 BCE
Caesar is named eternal dictator and seems more powerful than ever, with more enemies than ever before.
