The Rise of Julius Caesar and the Julian Lineage

The Early Life and Ancestry of Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar was born into the famous Julia family of Rome. According to legend, the goddess Venus was an ancestor of this lineage. In fact, Venus was the mother of Aeneas, the Trojan prince. Aeneas was the forefather of Romulus and Remus, and the Julian family was founded by his son, Iulus, from whom they derived their name and divine descent.

The Social Standing of the Julian Family

Undoubtedly a noble family, the Julio-Claudians were nonetheless not particularly wealthy by the standards of the Roman aristocracy. For this reason, for a long time, the family had not achieved any first-class political posts. However, in Caesar's father's generation, the family's wealth and position were recovered, and in 85 BC, his father attained the rank of praetor.

Family Ties and Political Alliances

Caesar shared the same name as his father, Gaius Julius Caesar. His mother was Aurelia Cotta. His eldest sister, Julia Caesaris, was the grandmother of Augustus Octavian. His aunt, also named Julia Caesaris, was married to the great general Gaius Marius. As Marius became a powerful man over time, the family began to recover its strength and reputation.

The Conflict Between Populares and Optimates

In Marius's later years, Rome's political landscape reached a turning point. Politicians were divided into two groups: first, the Populares, led by Marius; and second, the Optimates, led by Sulla. Caesar was linked to the first group; he was not only Marius's nephew but also the husband of the daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna. Sulla and Marius were insatiable enemies.

Survival During the Civil War

A civil war broke out between these two groups, leading to much conflict. Following the victory of the Optimates, a dictatorship began against political rivals. In any case, Caesar's life was eventually spared. He then traveled to the eastern side of the Roman Empire, where he took part in many military campaigns.

Military Bravery and the Civic Crown

Thanks to his bravery during the siege of Miletus, Caesar received the Civic Crown (corona civica). This was a great honor, which was rarely awarded to those who were not in high command. In 78 BC, after Sulla's death, he returned to Rome. There, he became a renowned lawyer, known for his prosecutions against former governors.

Studies in Rhetoric and the Pirate Ransom

To study rhetoric in depth, Caesar traveled to the school of Apollonius Molon in 75 BC. During the journey, he was kidnapped by pirates. According to Plutarch, when he heard the ransom was set at 20 talents, Caesar laughed and responded that he was worth at least 50 talents. After the ransom was paid, Caesar organized a fleet, captured the pirates, and brought them to justice.