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by Anne Penny

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"I had rather be first in a village than second in Rome." Thus spoke Julius Caesar, the man who would become first in Rome, as its consul for life and upon whom was bestowed the prestigious title, " Pater Patriae" Father of the Nation.

Gaius Julius Caesar was born into an influential Roman family, in 100, or 102 BC, a time when the Roman Empire was rapidly expanding. As a young man, Caesar fell foul of Consul Sulla when he married Cornelia, daughter of Cinna who was a sworn enemy of the Consul. Sulla tried to make Caesar divorce his wife, but he stubbornly refused this course of action despite losing his inheritance. He fled from Rome, only returning in 78 BC on the death of Sulla.

Back in Rome, Caesar began a legal career, quickly gaining a reputation as a skillful orator, using voice and gesture to great effect. He wished, however, to further improve his skills and set off for Rhodes, to study oratory with the great teacher, Apollonius. A well-documented incident occurred on the journey to Rhodes when Caesar was captured by pirates, who ransomed him. On his release, as he had vowed to do, he hunted down the outlaws and had them killed by crucifixion.The incident illustrates Caesar's unforgiving and vengeful nature, tough qualities that were an advantage at that time in history.

Caesar's first public office on his return to Rome was that of Quaestor, in 69 BC. In that year, his wife, Cornelia, died. Perhaps sadness at her death led Caesar to enthusiastic pursuance of his political career; in 63 BC, after a vigorous campaign, he gained the important post of Pontifex Maximus chief of religion in the Roman state.He had married Pompeia, granddaughter of his old enemy, Sulla, but divorced her on an unfounded suggestion of impropriety, famously declaring that, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."

The many foreign campaigns; subduing the rebellious tribes in Lusitania, defending Gaul against the Helvetii [Swiss] and defeating the German tribes, showed what a brilliant military stategist Caesar was and his successes brought him glory at home. The Britons surrendered to Caesar's might, following his invasion of their island in 53 BC. Pompey became Caesar's greatest rival but was defeated by superior forces, and fleeing to Egypt was killed there. Caesar followed Pompey and, in Alexandria met Queen Cleopatra with whom he had a son, Caesarion.

After further military victories in the Middle East, Caesar returned to Rome in 45 BC, where honors were heaped upon him: statues of him were erected , coins bearing his image were struck and the month of his birth became known as "Julius". He proclaimed: "I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory." His elevated status aroused envy among some of his fellow Romans, however, and in 44 BC, in the Senate, he was attacked by assassins and brutally murdered, stabbed over 20 times. His death heralded a lengthy period of bloody civil war.

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