Julius Caesar A Man of Great Stature Julius Caesar was a strong leader of the Romans who changed the

course of the hi story for the Roman world decisively and irreversibly. With his courage and stre ngth, he created a strong empire and guided the empire for almost 20 years. His life was short, but had many adventures. I will tell of some of this man s remarka ble life. He did many things, therefore, I will only discuss a few. His name, pa rt of his reign, one of his greatest battles, and his death will be told. Julius Caesar was born on the 13th day of the month Quintilis (now July) in the year of 100 B.C. His full name was Gaius Julius Caesar, the same as his father's name. Gaius was his given name and Julius was his surname. Caesar was the name of one branch of the Julian family. Its original meaning was "hairy. Caesar's fam ily was not prominent, but they claimed to be descended from Venus as well as th e kings of Alba Langa. In spite of that fiction, Caesar was well connected throu gh his relatives and received some important government assignments during his y outh. Julius Caesar was the dictator of Rome from 61-44 BC. At the time of his b irth, Rome was still a republic and the empire was only beginning. Caesar made h is way to be considered a head of Rome by 62 BC, but many of the senate felt him a dangerous, ambitious man. The senate did their best to keep him out of consul ship. He finally became consul in 59 BC. In Caesar, they saw only the threat of a king, a word that was linked with the word tyrant that is cruel or unjust rule. One of Caesar s greatest victories in battle was just after he had gained control over the lands of Bituriges, Vercingetorix. He started to lead his army to the B oii oppidum of Gorgobina, another city under his control. On the way, he stopped his troops at Vellaundunum, oppidum of the Senones, and set up siege. He did no t want to leave any enemies behind him who might get in the way of the grain del iveries and supply. The Carnutes, one of Rome s enemies, had just heard of the sie ge at Vellaundunum. They gathered troops to Garrison Cenabum, the Carnutes stron ghold. Caesar s army camped out right in front of the fort. The Carnutes decided t o escape over the bridge at the back, but Caesar predicted that is what they wou ld try and sent troops to guard the bridge during the night. When Julius heard o f the escape, he set fire to the gates of the Oppidum and entered because the br idge and roads were so narrow, that few inhabitants escaped. Julius Caesar stated, Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant nev er taste of death but once. Julius Caesar had lived, and died by this principle. Caesar was at the pinnacle of his power when he was assassinated. This was such a cruel assassination because it was a conspiracy was formed against him, which was made up of his closest friends, among them Cimber, Casca, Cassius, and his d earest friend Brutus. Julius fought, but when he saw his closest friend, Brutus, pull his sword; he just submitted. On March 15, 44 B.C., he was stabbed to deat h in the senate house. Many, because of his ambitiousness, feared Julius Caesar. That is why the senate tried to keep him from becoming Consul. He was one of th e best leaders of the Roman Empire because he cared more for the empire, than hi mself. He was truly a very intelligent man who wanted to be King. It was too bad that he was assassinated but he said himself, Cowards die many times before thei r deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. Julius Caesar s legacy and attributes are just as robust today as they were in his time. From the time, he took power to the time of his death he accomplished mor e than many other men would have done in a lifetime. He brought the Roman Empire to its height and from his death on, the Empire did nothing but fall. He was on e of the world s great leaders. Julius Caesar will always be remembered as A Man of Great Stature.