Julius Caesar
Roman general, consul and dictator
- Born
- 12/13 July 100 BCE, Rome
- Died
- 15 March 44 BCE, Rome (assassinated)
- Offices
- Consul 59 BCE; dictator 46–44 BCE
- Known for
- Conquest of Gaul; civil war; calendar reform
The Roman dictator whose murder in 44 BCE was followed by a comet Romans took for his soul rising to heaven.
What is Julius Caesar known for?
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician. He was consul in 59 BCE, conquered Gaul in the 50s BCE, won a civil war against Pompey and the Senate's forces, and ruled as dictator from 46 BCE. He reformed the Roman calendar into the Julian calendar. He was assassinated by a group of senators on the Ides of March, 15 March 44 BCE.
Months later, during games held in his honor, a bright comet was visible for seven days. According to Suetonius, Romans believed it was Caesar's soul being received among the gods. His adopted heir Octavian, the future Augustus, promoted the comet, the sidus Iulium or Julian star, on coins and in a temple to the deified Caesar.
Chinese court astronomers also logged a comet in 44 BCE. The two records are among the earliest examples of a single sky event noted independently at both ends of Eurasia.
'Caesar's comet' of 44 BCE appears in the site's timeline of sky events recorded in both Rome and China.
Mentioned on these pages
- PersonSuetonius
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 'Julius Caesar'Reference
- Suetonius, Life of Julius Caesar, ch. 88 (LacusCurtius)Primary text
- Wikipedia, 'Julius Caesar'Reference
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