Gaius Julius Caesar was born on July 12th, 100 B.C.E. His parents were Gaius Caesar and Aurelia. Caesar's family had special privileges because of their family history. Caesar received the classical education of a young Roman, and Cicero considered him one of the most literate of Romans. In 63 B.C.E., Caesar was elected to pontifex maximus, and soon after was elected praetor. He served this praetorship in Spain, and waged a successful war campaign. In 59 B.C.E., Caesar formed the First Triumvirate, which included Roman General Pompey and Crassus. This was helped when Pompey married Caesar's only daughter, Julia. Caesar was awarded governorship of Gaul, and decided to mount an expedition against Britain. This created enthusiasm in Rome, but soon after Vercingetorix, a nobleman from Gaul, threatened Caesar's power base. After trapping Vercingetorix, Caesar forced him to surrender. After Clodius' death, Rome was chaotic. Then Julia died (severing the relationship between Caesar and Pompey), and Crassus died. The Triumvirate had been dissolved. A civil war ensued between Caesar and Pompey. Pompey abandoned Italy to Caesar, then Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalus. Pompey fled to Egypt and was killed by Ptolemy. Caesar had followed Pompey to Egypt, and married Cleopatra and had a son, Cesarion. Caesar then consolidated the empire. Dissatisfaction led to Caesar's murder in March 15th, 44 B.C.E. Brutus and Cassius were the two most important conspirators in the assassination.
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