Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. After a successful military career, he was elected military tribune, the first step in his political career. Having great influence and popularity within the population, he was quickly elevated within the society, gaining many titles, including that of Dictator of the Roman Republic. His fast-growing power was feared by the senate, who, on the 15th of march, in 44 B.C., took action by murdering him. As will become evident, the assassination of Julius Ceasar, resulted in series of popular revolts and civil wars, which in turn, had major impacts on the political structure of Rome. In fact, Caesar’s death triggered the fall of the Roman Republic, which ultimately led to the creation of an imperial system. …show more content…
Caesar gained much popularity through his support for the common people, his military success and his disregards towards the Senate. His murder, executed by a group of senators, on March 15, 44 BC, led many unhappy masses to enrage. At Caesar’s funeral, Marc Antony, a Roman general and statesman who supported Caesar, gave a eulogy, which led the already angry population to turn against the senate. Brutus and Cassius, two Senate members who were in a great part responsible for the murder, as well as other conspirators were therefore forced to flee Rome. This opened the door for Anthony to claim power over Rome, falsely presenting himself as Caesar’s legitimate …show more content…
However, the political consequences of his death were just as important. In fact, it is said that the assassination of Julius Caesar led to the end of the Republic and the start of the Empire. Already during his living days, Julius Caesar had focused a lot of his attention towards creating a more strongly centralized government. At the time of his death, the oligarchic system in place (senate) was already starting its downfall. After the two first civil wars, much of the Senate had been severely damaged. The triumvirate had gained much military power and used it to suppress the Senate. When the third civil war ended, by the defeat of Antony, there were no other major players left to oppose Octavian. Coming back to Rome, he retained his autocratic power as a military dictator. He collected many titles and powers attributed to him by law, such as supreme military command, tribune, and censor. Finally, he received the name of Augustus from the senate, in 27 BC, officialising his role as the princeps and emperor of the newly made Roman Empire. Augustus’s reign was characterized by the start of a 200-year period of peace names Pax Romana, which allowed Rome to flourish in many different branches of society, and transition from a Republic to an