Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signalling the start of civil war.

Julius Caesar, one of ancient Rome’s most iconic figures, was a military general, statesman, and pivotal force in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Born in 100 BCE, he rose through the political and military ranks with remarkable ambition, securing victories in the Gallic Wars that expanded Rome’s territories and bolstered his reputation. His crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BCE was a bold act of defiance against the Senate, plunging Rome into civil war. After emerging victorious, he assumed the role of dictator, implementing sweeping reforms in governance, the calendar (introducing the Julian calendar), and the economy. However, his centralization of power and disregard for the traditional republican structure provoked the ire of many senators, leading to his assassination on March 15, 44 BCE, famously known as the Ides of March. Caesar’s legacy reshaped Roman history, paving the way for the rise of the Roman Empire under his adopted heir, Augustus.