Julius Caesar
The Roman dictator who crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC and was appointed dictator perpetuo in early 44 BC before his assassination.
Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March), 44 BC, by a group of senators led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, and Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus. The conspirators, numbering around sixty to eighty individuals, stabbed him approximately 23 times during a Senate session at the Curia of Pompey in Rome. They acted to defend the Roman Republic against his accumulation of lifelong political authority, including his role as dictator perpetuo. Instead of restoring the Republic, the assassination triggered the Liberators' civil war (43–42 BC) and contributed to the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.
- First Appearance
- Historical records (No dedicated campaign in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors)
Lore & Background
After serving eight years in the Gallic Wars, Caesar refused to disband his army when demanded by the Senate. He crossed the Rubicon with his forces in 49 BC, starting a civil war. After defeating his opposition, he was appointed dictator perpetuo in early 44 BC. His assassination failed to restore republican institutions, leading instead to posthumous deification and the collapse of the Republic.
In Their Own Story
Unusual events preceded Caesar's death: Virgil wrote that the sun veiled its radiance in gloom, Earth rocked with earthquakes, rivers stood still, ivory images wept in temples, and comets glared alarmingly. These signs heralded the disaster that unfolded when senators stabbed Caesar approximately 23 times.
Reader's Guide
Caesar's final months were marked by three key incidents: refusing to rise for a senatorial delegation at the Temple of Venus Genetrix; removing two tribunes who placed a diadem on his statue and arrested a man who hailed him as 'rex'; and rejecting a diadem offered by Mark Antony during the Lupercalia festival. These actions, alongside his appointment as dictator perpetuo, fueled the conspiracy that killed him.
Did You Know?
- The conspirators numbered around sixty to eighty individuals and recruited men near the age of forty.
- Caesar was stabbed approximately 23 times during a Senate session at the Curia of Pompey.
- During the Lupercalia festival, Mark Antony placed a diadem on Caesar's head twice before Caesar rejected it as a sacrifice to Jupiter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Julius Caesar in the Age of Empires lore?
Julius Caesar is depicted as the brilliant Roman general whose strategic genius and ambition defined an era of expansion across Europe. Although he is a central historical figure, he does not lead any official campaign in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors.
Does Julius Caesar have a dedicated campaign?
No, there is no specific campaign featuring Julius Caesar as the protagonist in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors. Players must explore the rise of Rome through other historical figures or by creating custom scenarios to experience his story.
What are Julius Caesar's defining traits in the game's context?
He is characterized by his legendary military campaigns and the famous act of crossing the Rubicon to seize control of the Roman Empire. His presence represents the peak of Roman might, even though he lacks a formal campaign roster entry.
Why isn't Julius Caesar featured as a campaign leader?
The developers chose to represent Rome's expansion through other historical figures rather than creating a dedicated scenario for Caesar in that specific title. Consequently, his story is told indirectly or through community-made content instead of official game lore.
How does the Age of Empires series portray Julius Caesar's legacy?
The series acknowledges him as an iconic figure whose actions shaped history, despite his absence from the main campaign roster of The Conquerors. His legacy is preserved in historical records and custom scenarios that highlight his role in expanding Roman influence.