World Leaders: Julius Caesar

A statue of Julius Caesar in France. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Synopsis: Julius Caesar was born around July 12 or 13, 100 B.C.. It was 2,100 years ago.His birth began a new chapter in Roman history. Caesar fought in several wars. Hebecome the leader of the Roman Empire. A group of senators killed him on March 15, 44B.C.

Early Life And Career

Julius Caesar was a popular leader of the Roman Republic. He changed Rome and madeit much larger.

Julius Caesar was likely born in Rome on July 12 or 13, 100 B.C. His parents were GaiusCaesar and Aurelia. Although his family was important, they were not rich. When Caesarwas 16, his father died, but he remained close to his mother.

He married a woman named Cornelia. Sulla, the leader of Rome, was angry because hedid not like Cornelia's family. Sulla ordered Caesar to leave her or lose his property. Caesarstayed with Cornelia.

Caesar joined the army and went to the island of Rhodes, but he was kidnapped bypirates. Caesar was able to get Roman ships to attack them. The pirates were capturedand killed.

By Biography.com Editors and A+E Networks, adapted by Newsela staff on 08.17.16 Word Count 619

Caesar returned to Rome and was elected to a political job. He served in other importantgovernment jobs as well.

His wife died. Two years later he married Pompeia, but they divorced after just a few years.

Beginning His Rule And Role As Dictator

Caesar wanted to do great things. He became partners with Pompey, a leader of Rome,and Marcus Licinius Crassus, who was a very rich politician.

Caesar became governor of Gaul, which is now France and Belgium. He conquered alarge amount of territory but was cruel to his enemies.

In Egypt, Caesar joined forces with a famous queen named Cleopatra. They had a sontogether named Caesarion.

Caesar returned to Rome. He was made dictator for life, which meant he ruled Rome, andwas named the Father of his Country.

He served as dictator just a year before he was killed. In that short period, Caesarcompletely changed Rome. He increased the size of the Senate and let more Romans takepart in government. He changed the Roman calendar and let a number of foreignersbecome citizens. Caesar also invited his enemies to join him in the government.

Caesar worked hard to gain more power. He put his friends in the Senate because theywould vote the way he told them to vote. He forced the senators to grant him honors andtitles. His face was put on Roman coins.

Killed By His Former Enemies

Caesar's changes were popular with Rome's poorer citizens, but senators felt verydifferently. Some senators thought he wanted to be king. Romans said that it had been 500years since they had allowed a king to rule them.

He died because of his many changes. Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutuswere both former enemies who joined the Senate. They led a plot to kill Caesar.

It is not clear whether Caesar knew about the plot. The group called itself "the liberators,"and they needed to act fast. Caesar planned to leave Rome on March 18 for a militaryaction. He was killed on March 15, 44 B.C, which is also called the Ides of March.

After Caesar's death, senators fought each other for power. It led to the end of the RomanRepublic.

Just two years after his death, Caesar became the first Roman who was made a god. TheSenate also gave him the title "The Divine Julius."

Caesar's great-grandnephew was named Gaius Octavian. He led an army to fight Cassiusand Brutus. Octavian won and took power in 27 B.C. He changed his name to Augustus,and he became the first Roman emperor.

Quiz

1 What is the MAIN idea of the section "Beginning His Rule And Role As Dictator"?

(A) Julius Caesar worked with many powerful people, and he made manyimportant changes.

(B) Julius Caesar was very cruel to others, and everyone in Rome hated him.

(C) Julius Caesar did not accomplish much, but he always kept trying to makechanges.

(D) Julius Caesar wanted more power, but no one wanted him to rule Rome.

2 Which selection from the article BEST summarizes a main idea of the article?

(A) Julius Caesar was a popular leader of the Roman Republic. He changedRome and made it much larger.

(B) Although his family was important, they were not rich. When Caesar was 16,his father died, but he remained close to his mother.

(C) Caesar returned to Rome and was elected to a political job. He served inother important government jobs as well.

(D) Caesar became governor of Gaul, which is now France and Belgium. Heconquered a large amount of territory but was cruel to his enemies.

3 Which answer choice BEST describes the structure of the article?

(A) The article describes Julius Caesar's death, then it explains why he wasimportant.

(B) The article describes Julius Caesar's early life, rise to power, and his death.

(C) The article explains why Julius Caesar was important, and it focuses on howthose who killed him were punished.

(D) The article explains the famous stories about Julius Caesar, which are notbased on facts.

4 Select the paragraph from the section "Early Life and Career" that uses cause and effect in itsstructure.

(A) Julius Caesar was a popular leader of the Roman Republic. He changedRome and made it much larger.

(B) Julius Caesar was likely born in Rome on July 12 or 13, 100 B.C. His parentswere Gaius Caesar and Aurelia. Although his family was important, theywere not rich. When Caesar was 16, his father died, but he remained closeto his mother.

(C) Caesar joined the army and went to the island of Rhodes, but he waskidnapped by pirates. Caesar was able to get Roman ships to attack them.The pirates were captured and killed.

(D) Caesar returned to Rome and was elected to a political job. He served inother important government jobs as well.