Julius Caesar personal stories and Anecdotes
Caesar’s famous last words were reportedly “Et tu, Brute?” (And you, Brutus?) when he saw that even his trusted friend Brutus was among the conspirators who had plotted to assassinate him.
Caesar was known for his strategic military tactics, one of which was the “double envelopment” maneuver, where he would encircle the enemy on both sides to cut off their retreat and ensure victory.
Legend has it that Caesar once stopped his army mid-march to draw a line in the sand and declare, “I have not crossed the Rubicon to retreat!”
When Caesar was kidnapped by pirates on his way to Rhodes, he reportedly told them that he would pay them back tenfold once he was released. After he was freed, he gathered a fleet and went after the pirates, capturing and executing them all.
Caesar was once captured by the enemy during battle, but he managed to escape by jumping into the sea and swimming to safety.
Caesar was known for his love of luxury, and his lavish lifestyle reportedly bankrupted him several times throughout his life.
Caesar suffered from epilepsy, which was seen as a sign of weakness at the time. He reportedly tried to hide his condition from others, but it was sometimes brought on by stress or excitement during important moments.
Caesar’s conquest of Gaul (modern-day France) was a major achievement in his career, and his memoirs of the campaign, Commentaries on the Gallic War, are still studied today as an important historical source.
Caesar was also known for his romantic affairs, including a relationship with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. Their relationship was controversial at the time, as she was seen as a foreign threat to Rome.
Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC sparked a period of political turmoil in Rome, known as the Roman Civil War, which eventually led to the rise of the Roman Empire under Caesar’s adopted son, Augustus.
While Julius Caesar is primarily known for his role in ancient Rome, he did have some notable interactions with Greece during his lifetime.
A few anecdotes:
During his youth, Caesar traveled to Greece to study philosophy and rhetoric. He was particularly interested in the works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle and reportedly visited his hometown of Stagira.
In 48 BC, Caesar arrived in Greece to face off against his rival, Pompey, in the Battle of Pharsalus. Despite being outnumbered, Caesar emerged victorious and solidified his power in Rome.
After the battle, Caesar spent some time in Greece, where he was celebrated as a hero. He reportedly visited Athens, where he was honored with a statue in the Parthenon.
Caesar also had a significant impact on Greek language and culture. He is credited with introducing the Julian calendar, which was used in Greece and much of the world until it was replaced by the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century.
Some ancient Greek historians, such as Plutarch, wrote about Caesar’s exploits in Greece, including his battles and his famous love affair with Cleopatra, which had significant implications for Greece and the surrounding regions.
Overall, while Caesar’s impact on Greece may not be as significant as his impact on Rome, his time in the country did leave a lasting impression on its history and culture.
Pompeii
Here are a few personal stories about Julius Caesar:
According to Plutarch, when Caesar was young, he was captured by pirates who demanded a ransom of 20 talents of silver. Caesar laughed and told them that he was worth at least 50 talents. The pirates agreed and Caesar sent his men to collect the ransom. Once he was freed, he raised a fleet and hunted down the pirates, captured them, and had them executed.
Caesar was known for his charisma and charm, and he had a magnetic personality that drew people to him. One story goes that while Caesar was campaigning in Spain, he saw a statue of Alexander the Great and became emotional, lamenting that he had accomplished so little at the same age as Alexander. He reportedly said, “Do you not think it is matter for sorrow that while Alexander, at my age, was already king of so many peoples, I have as yet achieved no brilliant success?”
Caesar was also a prolific writer and is credited with writing a number of works, including Commentaries on the Gallic War and Commentaries on the Civil War. According to legend, he wrote these works while on campaign, using a wax tablet strapped to his thigh.
Caesar had a reputation as a ladies’ man and was known to have had numerous affairs throughout his life. One of his most famous liaisons was with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, with whom he had a son named Caesarion.
Caesar was also a skilled orator and was known for his powerful speeches. One famous example is his speech to his troops on the banks of the Rubicon, where he famously declared, “The die is cast,” signaling his intent to march on Rome and seize power.