Julius Caesar was born July 13th, 100 BC. While I talked about his death on March 15, (look it up if you haven’t yet read it. I discuss one of the oldest books I have in the library) this is new.
I have another book from my Landmark Books, “Julius Caesar” by John Gunther, published in 1959. This is a very nice book of the life of Julius Caesar. He was born into a wealth family. and moved up the political ladder, with charm, with connections, and with a little bribery cash.
Julius Caesar was also a very smart and fearless soldier, and general. He won many campaigns to enlarge the power of Rome. Caesar was an accomplished writer, and most of his war campaigns have been saved for history. While he wrote a lot of details about his battles, when he returned to Rome after several years of winning wars, he told the Senate simply “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). He was married four times, and had a relationship with Cleopatra. Also, he had an affair with Brutus’s mother. This book is full of interesting facts about Caesar. He was the first emperor to be honored as dictator for life.
The Julian calender was created by Julius Caesar. 365 days and every four years, one added day, Before that, the calendar was based on the moon cycles.
Caesar was 55 years old when he was jumped on by conspirators at the Senate. He was stabbed 23 times. He fought until he saw Brutus approach and also plunge a dagger. Caesar cried “et tu Brute” (you too, Brutus?) and surrendered to his fate.
Recently in Rome, I saw where Caesar died. The consensus now is that he was stabbed at the Curia di Pompeo, an area of Roman excavations recently opened up for tourists. It is said he was stabbed on the way to the forum, in the road directly behind these columns.
This next photograph is an interesting picture of ruins in the Forum in Rome, taken by a friend, looking down from Palatine Hill. The center front columns are all that is left of the Temple of Vesta. It was a circular temple. Inside was kept a flame burning day and night, for the safety of Rome. The flame was managed by six Vestal Virgins. Early in Caesar’s career, he was made a Priest of Jupiter. As such, he was to be a junior clerk to the Vestal Virgins. He gave them ultimate respect and honor, and because of that behavior, The Vestal Vergins were later able to help Caesar in political support. When the dictator Sulla wanted to kill Caesar as a political enemy, the Vestal Virgins were able to grant him a pardon. They were the only women allowed power in Roman politics.
Behind that temple, are the ruins of the Temple of Divus Iulius (the Temple of Caesar). The greenish roof (directly above the columns) is the alter. It is where Antony gave his funeral oration about Caesar, and where the body was cremated. The site was then built up into a temple by Caesar’s nephew and adopted son Octavian, who was made into Emperor Augustus.
I enjoy reading about Julius Caesar, and Roman history in general. When I went to Rome, it was special to walk to actual sites where Caesar was, and that the Roman Forum is a place about real people, not just made up stories. It was quite the adventure to see.
Veni, vidi, photographia. ( I came, I saw, I took pictures.)
Librarytomes 