Julius Caesar Born, Roman General and Dictator
Gaius Julius Caesar is reported as having been born on July 12, 100 BCE. He was a Roman general, statesman, and dictator who transformed the Roman Republic. Born into a patrician family in Rome, Caesar rose through military and political offices, forming the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. As governor of Gaul he conducted the Gallic Wars, expanding Roman territory and building personal loyalty among his legions. Crossing the Rubicon in 49 BCE precipitated civil war; after defeating Pompey he became dictator for life in 44 BCE. Caesar enacted reforms including the Julian calendar, land redistribution, and citizenship grants, but his concentration of power alarmed senators. He was assassinated on the Ides of March in 44 BCE.