II.

Early Life

Born in Rome on July 12 or 13, 100 bc, Caesar belonged to a prestigious family that had been powerful in Roman politics for more than a century. During childhood he lived through one of the most horrifying decades in the history of Rome. The city was assaulted and captured twice during the decade by Roman armies. The first takeover came from Caesar’s uncle Gaius Marius, leader of the Populares (commoners’ party), along with Lucius Cornelius Cinna. The second attack came from their opponent Lucius Cornelius Sulla, leader of the Optimates (aristocratic party). Each time the victors took power, they took revenge, murdering their opponents and seizing property. Cinna was murdered by his own troops in 84 bc.

Caesar was allied with Marius, his uncle by marriage. Caesar’s own marriage in 84 bc to Cornelia, the daughter of Marius’s associate, Cinna, further cemented the relationship. When Sulla was made dictator in 82 bc, he issued a list of enemies to be executed. Although Caesar was not harmed, he was ordered by Sulla to divorce Cornelia. Refusing that order, Caesar found it wise to leave Rome. He did not return to the city until 78 bc, after Sulla’s resignation.

Caesar was then 22 years old. Unable to gain political office, he left Rome again and went to the island of Rhodes, where he studied rhetoric as the writer and orator Cicero had done before him. Caesar returned to Rome in 73 bc, a very persuasive speaker, to begin his political career. The year before, while still absent, he had been elected to the pontificate, an important college of Roman priests.