by Radha Yudhavir

Created on: January 17, 2010   Last Updated: August 11, 2010

The name that endures with the legacy of the Roman Empire is that of Julius Caesar. In fact , the title Caesar was used by many others after him in its different versions. The Kaiser and Czar are different versions of the term Caesar. Such was the enduring legacy that Julius Caesar gave birth to.

# Julius Caesar was Orphaned as a Teenager

Responsibilities fell on Julius Caesar's shoulder early in life, when his father died when Julius was 16. This early exposure to keeping himself and his family safe in the civil war that was raging between Sulla and Marius, who was Julius’ uncle, steeled young Julius. Unfortunately for Julius, Sulla emerged the victor and captured Rome in the year 82 B.C.E. and he could have put young Julius to death, but his life was spared due to Julius’ mother’s relatives who were powerful supporters of Sulla.

To save himself from Sulla, he took up the command of Roman legions in Asia and left Rome.

Sulla’s death in 78 B.C.E. gave Julius Caesar the opportunity to return to Rome. He did not jump into the political turmoil of Rome, but engaged himself in legal practice. It was here that his skills of oratory were noticed. He had already proved himself as an able solider while campaigning in Asia. Due to his reputation as a solider he was sent to repel an attack from the kingdom of Pontus near the Caspian.  This gave Julius Caesar his first major military success as commander.  His next campaign was in Hispania where a chance encounter with a statue of Alexander the Great gave visions of world conquests to Julius.

# Displayed Shrewdness at a Young Age

On his return to Rome he married Sulla’s Granddaughter while he was also conferred with the war trophies of his Uncle Marcus. This was his first political coup as he became a bridge between his uncle Marcus’ camp and his grandfather-in-law Sulla’s camp, both of whom were still powerful in Rome.

His next coup was to get himself elected as Consul and be a part of the triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus.

# Conquest of Gaul

The first major conquest that bought him laurels was his campaign of Gaul (France). Gaul was being threatened by Germanic Suebi under Ariovistus and the Helvetii. He defeated both of them. Following this victory he also defeated the Belgic tribes who inhabited an areas roughly corresponding to today Belgium.

But the Germanic tribes were restless and made repeated incursions. To halt this menace Julius Caesar built a

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