Greatest Leaders of All Time
Julius Caesar
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Julius Caesar was a Roman military commander and a genius. He played a critical role in the death of Roman Republic and the rise of the strong Roman Empire. He was not only quick and smart on the battlefield but he also devised great strategies and plan for the expansion of the empire and his political finesse, with the help of which he conquered almost all of Western Europe. His decisiveness, abilities to outwit his opponents made it possible for him to gain a strong following. He was eventually assassinated by his friend Brutus. The famous Shakespearean tragedy ‘Julius Caesar’ is based on his life.
Gaius Julius Caesar (13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) known as Julius Caesar, was a Roman statesman, general, and notable author of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. In 60 BC, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed a political alliance that dominated Roman politics for several years. Their attempts to amass power through populist tactics were opposed by the conservative ruling class within the Roman Senate, among them Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Cicero. Caesar's victories in the Gallic Wars, completed by 51 BC, extended Rome's territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both when he built a bridge across the Rhine and conducted the first invasion of Britain.
These achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing of Pompey, who had realigned himself with the Senate after the death of Crassus in 53 BC. With the Gallic Wars concluded, the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome. Caesar refused the order, and instead marked his defiance in 49 BC by crossing the Rubicon with a legion, leaving his province and illegally entering Roman Italy under arms. Civil war resulted, and Caesar's victory in the war put him in an unrivaled position of power and influence.
After assuming control of government, Caesar began a programme of social and governmental reforms, including the creation of the Julian calendar. He centralized the bureaucracy of the Republic and was eventually proclaimed "dictator in perpetuity", giving him additional authority. But the underlying political conflicts had not been resolved, and on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by a group of rebellious senators led by Marcus Junius Brutus.
Caesar is considered by many historians to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.
Quotes
I love the name of honor, more than I fear death.-Julius Caesar
It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. -Julius Caesar
Men willingly believe what they wish -Julius Caesar