Julius Caesar. The name resonates with power, ambition, and intrigue, immortalized in history as one of ancient Rome’s most iconic figures. Yet, beyond the familiar narratives of conquest and political prowess lie lesser-known aspects of Caesar’s life that often escape the spotlight. This blog delves into 10 surprising things about Julius Caesar most people don’t know about his character, experiences, and enduring legacy.
Prepare to be surprised, intrigued, and captivated by the lesser-known tales of Julius Caesar, one of history’s most fascinating personalities.
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1. How did Gaius Julius Caesar get his name?
Julius Caesar’s full name, Gaius Julius Caesar, has its origins in ancient Roman naming conventions and familial traditions. Each component of his name carries historical and cultural significance that contributes to his identity and legacy.
The name “Gaius” denotes Caesar’s praenomen, or personal name, which was commonly used to distinguish individuals within Roman families. Praenomina were typically passed down through generations, and “Gaius” was a common name among the Roman aristocracy. It was used not only by Julius Caesar but also by several prominent figures throughout Roman history.
His middle name “Julius” indicates Caesar’s gens, or clan, which was known as the Julii. The Julii claimed descent from the mythological figure linked with a pagan goddess (Read more more about this divine link).
Lastly, the surname “Caesar” holds both familial and imperial connotations. It is believed to have originated from the Latin word “caesaries“, meaning “hair” or “head of hair.” This name likely stemmed from an ancestor of Julius Caesar who was noted for his thick hair, leading to the adoption of “Caesar” as a hereditary surname for the Julii.
After his death, his adopted heir and successor Octavian (later known as Emperor Augustus) took on the title of “Caesar” as part of his official name. This further solidified his association with supreme authority in the Roman Empire.
Over time, “Caesar” became associated with imperial power and authority in Rome, particularly due to Julius Caesar’s significant achievements and political influence.
Therefore, Julius Caesar’s name reflects both his prestigious family lineage and the significant impact he had on Roman history. “Julius” represents his clan heritage and “Caesar” symbolizes his role as a powerful leader in the ancient world.
2. Divine Heritage: Julius Caesar’s Ancestral Link to goddess Venus
Julius Caesar’s family, the Julii, proudly asserted their ancestry traced back to the goddess Venus through the legendary Trojan hero Aeneas. Predictably, this claim wasn’t just a myth; it served as a strategic tool to enhance their prestige and legitimacy in Roman society.
Demigod Aeneas, Prince of Troy and Son of mortal Anchises Venus
According to tradition, Aeneas, a prince of Troy and son of the mortal Anchises and the goddess Venus, escaped the fall of Troy and journeyed to Italy. Subsequently, this mythological narrative provided the Julii with a divine lineage linking them to the founding myths of Rome and the heroic legacy of the Trojan War.
By associating themselves with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, the Julii projected an aura of divine favor and significance. Surprisingly, this ancestral claim wasn’t merely symbolic but had practical implications in Roman politics and social circles. It contributed to Julius Caesar’s image as a leader destined for greatness, guided by divine ancestry and favor.
Julius Caesar’s Dedication and Devotion to Venus
Caesar’s reverence for the goddess Venus is evident in historical accounts, particularly during his battle against Pompey at Pharsalus in 48 BC. In a gesture of devotion and seeking divine protection, Caesar vowed to build a temple dedicated to Venus if he emerged victorious.
Following his triumph at Pharsalus, Caesar commissioned the Temple of Venus Genetrix in the forum Iulium, also known as the Julian Forum. This temple symbolized Caesar’s gratitude towards Venus and perhaps his desire to associate his victories with divine intervention.
The statue of Venus Genetrix within the temple depicted the goddess holding an apple in her left hand while using her right hand to cover her head. Later, this iconic representation of Venus was also reproduced on coins.
In “Divus Julius” (Life of Julius Caesar) Suetonius mentions a shrine resembling the Temple of Venus Genetrix placed on the rostra during Caesar’s funeral. This emphasized the continued veneration of Venus and the incorporation of religious rites into public ceremonies. And so, it highlighted the intertwined nature of politics, religion, and symbolism in ancient Rome.
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3. Captured, Ransomed, Conquered: Caesar’s Revenge on the Pirates
In 75 BC, when Julius Caesar was in his mid-twenties, he set sail from Rome to Rhodes to study oratory and rhetoric. In Ancient Rome, these were considered essential skills for a Roman politician to possess. However, just off the southwestern coast of Asia Minor disaster struck. The ship he sailed in was intercepted and captured by Cilician pirates near the island of Pharmacusa.
The Cilician pirates were notorious for their raids and acts of piracy along the Mediterranean coast. Indeed, they saw Caesar as a valuable hostage due to his noble background and potential for a hefty ransom. Unfortunately for them, the pirates underestimated Caesar’s resolve and resourcefulness.
Instead of cowering in fear, Caesar maintained a commanding presence and engaged in negotiations with the pirates. Despite being a prisoner, Caesar exuded confidence and charisma, earning the respect of some pirates.
One anecdote recounts how Caesar demanded the pirates increase his ransom from twenty talents to 50 talents. Caesar argued that he was worth much more than they had initially assessed. Further, he also promised that after his release he would return and crucify all of his captors (a statement that the pirates dismissed as a joke).
Caesar’s Promised Revenge on the Pirates
Eventually, after about 38 days in captivity, Julius Caesar was released upon the payment of a significant ransom. After securing his freedom, Caesar didn’t simply move on from the incident. Instead, he gathered a fleet of ships and men, returned to the area where he had been held captive by the pirates, and launched a surprise attack. True to his word, Caesar also delivered on this promise by crucifying the pirates.
By reclaiming the ransom he had paid, Caesar not only recouped his losses but also took revenge on the pirates. Caesar demonstrated his strategic thinking and ability to turn adversity into an opportunity for triumph. This further solidified his reputation as a formidable leader and someone not to be trifled with
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4. Caesar’s Unusual Health Challenges and Speculations
Julius Caesar’s health challenges and the speculations surrounding them are topics that have intrigued historians and medical experts for centuries.
One of the primary health concerns attributed to Julius Caesar is the possibility of seizures or mini-strokes. Historical accounts and ancient sources mention episodes where Caesar experienced sudden and unexplained physical collapses or fits. These episodes, characterized by loss of consciousness, convulsions, and other neurological symptoms, led to speculations about potential underlying health conditions.
Predictably, the exact nature of Caesar’s health issues remains a subject of debate among medical experts and historians. Some scholars argue that his symptoms align with epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Others suggest that Caesar’s episodes could have been transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes) or other medical conditions affecting the brain.
Despite these potential health challenges, Caesar demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability throughout his life. He successfully navigated complex political landscapes, orchestrated military campaigns and implemented reforms while overcoming adversity and thriving in challenging circumstances.
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5. Caesar’s Julian Calendar Reform
Before Caesar’s reforms, the Roman calendar was based on a lunar system with irregular months that did not align perfectly with the solar year. This discrepancy led to seasonal drifts and inaccuracies in timekeeping, causing confusion and inefficiencies in agricultural and administrative matters.
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar, with the assistance of the Alexandrian astronomer Sosigenes (from Egypt), introduced a new calendar system known as the Julian calendar. The key modifications included the following:
The Julian calendar introduced Leap Years:
One of the most critical changes was the implementation of leap years. Caesar and Sosigenes devised a formula where every fourth year would have an extra day, known as a leap day, inserted into the calendar. This adjustment accounted for the extra quarter-day in the solar year that the previous calendar had ignored. Thus, aligned the calendar more closely with the astronomical year.
Fixed Length of Months:
The Julian calendar also standardized the lengths of months, with alternating months having either 30 or 31 days. Obviously, this excluded February, which had 28 days (29 in leap years). This regularity simplified timekeeping and scheduling activities.
Start of the New Year:
Another change was the designation of January 1st as the start of the new year. Previously, the Roman calendar had various starting dates for the new year, causing inconsistencies and confusion.
The implementation of the Julian calendar brought several benefits. By incorporating leap years, the Julian calendar reduced the discrepancy between the calendar year and the solar year. This improved the accuracy of timekeeping in Ancient Rome.
Fixed lengths of months and leap years made the calendar more predictable for agricultural activities, religious observances, and civic events.
The Julian calendar’s effectiveness and practicality led to its widespread adoption beyond the Roman Empire. Afterward, many cultures and civilizations adopted variants of the Julian calendar or used it as the basis for their own calendar systems.
Despite its advancements, the Julian calendar still had minor inaccuracies due to its slightly longer year compared to the actual solar year. This discrepancy would later be addressed with the Gregorian calendar reform in the 16th century. Without a doubt, the Julian calendar laid the groundwork for modern calendars, creating a lasting legacy of Caesar’s reign.
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6. Caesar’s Involvement with Cleopatra and their son born out of wedlock
The infamous relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra began around 48 BC when Caesar arrived in Alexandria, Egypt. At this time, Caesar was in the midst of a military campaign against Pompey’s forces during the civil war. Cleopatra, then in her early twenties, saw an opportunity to align herself with Caesar, deemed a powerful Roman general and politician.
Cleopatra famously had herself smuggled into Caesar’s presence, wrapped in a carpet or hidden in a sack, to gain a private audience with him. This bold and theatrical gesture captured Caesar’s attention, and the two quickly formed a romantic and political alliance.
Caesar and Cleopatra: Allies and Lovers
Their relationship went beyond mere attraction, evolving into a partnership that influenced the dynamics of power in the Mediterranean region. Cleopatra saw in Caesar a protector and ally who could help her regain control of Egypt from her brother Ptolemy XIII, with whom she was in conflict for the throne.
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Caesar’s involvement with Cleopatra led to the birth of their son, Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, commonly known as Caesarion, in 47 BC. Caesarion’s birth solidified the connection between Caesar and Cleopatra, symbolizing their dynastic aspirations and blending of Roman and Egyptian legacies.
Cleopatra’s demise after Caesar’s assassination
However, Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC dramatically altered the course of events. With Caesar’s death, Cleopatra’s position became precarious, as she faced challenges from rival factions within Egypt and the Roman Republic. Despite attempts to secure Caesarion as Caesar’s legitimate heir and successor, political instability and power struggles led to Caesarion’s demise.
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Cleopatra and Mark Antony were defeated by Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. As Octavian’s forces closed in on Alexandria the following year, Cleopatra and her children, including Caesarion, sought refuge. Caesarion was reportedly captured and executed on the orders of Octavian. This ended the direct line of Julius Caesar’s offspring and consolidated Octavian’s power as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.
7. Caesar could have prevented his assassination if he heeded a prophecy
Ominous prophecies about the Ides of March hinted at the possibility of Caesar’s survival if he heeded them.
In the ancient Roman calendar, the Ides of March corresponded to March 15th, associated with religious observances and political events. According to historical accounts, a soothsayer named Spurinna warned Caesar with the famous phrase “Beware the Ides of March“.
Caesar’s warning: “Beware of Ides of March”
A sacrificial ritual on February 15, 44 BCE revealed a harrowing omen— a sacrificial bull with a “damaged” heart. This led to Spurinna alerting Caesar of potential death looming over the next 30 days until the Ides of March.
Of particular significance was Caesar’s impending departure for a military campaign to the Far East on March 18. It underscored the haruspex’s counsel emphasizing that any plot against Caesar would unfold before his departure.
Adding to the air of foreboding was Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, who dreamed of Caesar wounded and dying in her arms. Calpurnia’s plea for Caesar to heed the ominous signs initially led him to consider abstaining from attending the Senate meeting.
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Tragically, Decimus Junius Brutus, a close confidant and conspirator, convinced Caesar to ignore the prophecies. Despite Spurrina’s prophecy and Calpurnia’s premonitions, Caesar yielded to Brutus’s persuasion to meet the Senate as planned. This pivotal decision led to his assassination at the Theater of Pompey on the infamous Ides of March.
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8. The Irony of Caesar’s Assassination at the Theater of Pompey
The irony of Julius Caesar’s assassination at the Theater of Pompey is stark and poignant. This magnificent structure, commissioned by Pompey the Great, stood as a testament to his wealth, military prowess, and political ambitions. Yet, it ultimately became the site of Caesar’s death. This tragedy highlights the intricate complexities of Roman politics and dramatic shifts in alliances and enemies.
Pompey was Caesar’s bitter enemy as well as family
Once allies and family through marriage (Pompey married Caesar’s daughter Julia), they became bitter adversaries resulting in civil wars. Caesar’s daring crossing of the Rubicon River initiated the conflict that ultimately led to Pompey’s death in Alexandria.
The decision to hold the Senate meeting at the Theater of Pompey was primarily pragmatic, driven by the ongoing renovations at the traditional Senate meeting place, the Curia Julia. The selection of this venue may have carried a deeper symbolic weight. Some speculate that Caesar intentionally opted for this location as a symbolic assertion of his dominance over his fallen adversary.
Ultimately, Caesar’s assassination inside the theater built by his word enemy and rival —exemplifies the tragic irony of his fate. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ever-shifting dynamics of ambition, betrayal, and destiny that shaped Roman history and the lives of its iconic figures.
You can see what remains of the ruins of the Theater of Pompey in Largo di Torre Argentina in the heart of Rome.
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9. Assassination of Caesar Marked the End of the Roman Republic and Rise of the Roman Empire
The assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March changed Ancient Rome and subsequently the world. Firstly, it plunged Rome into a period of chaos and instability, sparking a chain of civil conflicts and power struggles. Secondly, Caesar’s death created a power vacuum setting the stage for political transformations, heralding the rise of the Roman Empire.
Following Caesar’s assassination, Rome was engulfed in political turmoil as competing factions vied for control and influence. Unquestionably, the absence of Caesar’s strong leadership exacerbated existing tensions within the Roman Republic. Not surprisingly, it led to civil wars and upheavals.
Rise of Roman Emperors – Augustus
Amidst this turmoil, Julius Caesar’s adopted heir, Octavian, emerged as a key figure. With astute political maneuvering and strategic alliances, Octavian consolidated power and eventually assumed the title of Emperor Augustus. As such, his reign marked the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, a pivotal shift in governance and authority.
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Under Augustus’ leadership, the Roman Empire experienced a period of stability, known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace), which lasted for over two centuries. Augustus’ policies and reforms transformed the political, social, and economic landscape of the empire, laying the foundation for its long-lasting influence and impact on Western civilization.
Consequently, Julius Caesar’s assassination and Augustus’ ascension establishing the Roman Empire, shaped the trajectory of ancient history. The transition from Republic to Empire shaped the course of Western civilization and left a lasting impact on the world.
10. Julius Caesar’s Deification: From Mortal to Divine
Following Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE, the Roman Senate made a momentous decision to deify him, elevating him to the status of a god. Evidently, this act of deification was not merely a symbolic gesture but a deliberate effort to immortalize Caesar’s legacy and consolidate political power in the aftermath of his death. The deification process involved recognizing Caesar as a divine figure, cementing his place in Roman religious and cultural beliefs.
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Surprisingly, Julius Caesar’s life seemed to complete a symbolic circle: from his family’s divine lineage tracing back to Venus, to his own eventual deification.
Caesar’s Divine Destiny: From Venus to Deity
Caesar’s deification had far-reaching implications that extended beyond honoring his memory. It contributed significantly to the development of a cult of personality around influential leaders in Roman history. Basically, by elevating Caesar to divine status, the Senate reinforced the idea of his exceptionalism and revered nature, portraying him as a figure worthy of worship and adoration.
Deified Caesar carried political, religious, and cultural significance
Moreover, the deification of Caesar held significant political weight. It provided a rallying point for his supporters and allies, allowing them to rally around his memory and ideology. Basically, this support base helped legitimize the rule of Caesar’s adopted son and heir, Octavian (later Emperor Augustus). Octavian strategically utilized his connection to the deified Caesar to bolster his own authority and claim to power.
From a religious perspective, Caesar’s deification had profound implications. In Roman society, deification was closely intertwined with religious beliefs and practices. And so, the deified Caesar became enshrined in the Roman pantheon, joining the ranks of gods and goddesses worshiped by the people. This integration into religious rituals and ceremonies further solidified his enduring influence and presence in Roman life.
The cultural impact of Caesar’s deification was also significant. As such, it inspired a multitude of artistic depictions and monuments honoring Caesar as a divine figure, showcasing his importance and influence in shaping Roman history. The deification of Caesar became a central theme in Roman art and literature, highlighting the enduring legacy of his deified status.
Julius Caesar’s fascinating life
Julius Caesar’s life is filled with lesser-known yet intriguing details that offer insights into his character and influence on ancient Rome. His defiance against pirates, romantic involvement with Cleopatra and his prophesied demise are all part of his legacy.
Caesar’s deification and transition from “Roman Republic” to “Roman Empire” highlight the impact of his life that changed Western civilization.
Discovering lesser-known facets of Caesar’s life provides a deeper understanding of his resilience, ambition, and historical significance as he shaped the course of Rome and human history.
When you visit Rome, you will have gained a certain appreciation of these world-changing events that occurred in the Eternal City.
Ciao for now!
Learn more about the life of Julius Caesar until the Ides of March
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