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Julius Caesar, power, strategy and legacy

2026-03-26 08:35:00, Blog CNA

Julius Caesar is not just a name in the history books. He is one of the most powerful, most controversial, and most misunderstood figures humanity has ever known.

For some, he was a military genius who changed the fate of Rome. For others, a dangerous politician who paved the way for the end of the Republic. But between these two extremes lies a more complex truth, a history filled with myth, propaganda, and interpretations that have distorted reality.

Was he really born by cesarean section? Did he say “You too, Brutus?” in his final moments? And above all, who was Julius Caesar really?

This article separates myth from reality and reveals the true side of one of history's most enigmatic figures.

A powerful politician, military general, and emperor, Julius Caesar helped transform Rome into one of the most powerful empires in history. He was a leader beloved by many. But his power also caused much resentment among his fellow politicians. Here's what you need to know about Caesar's life, his affair with Cleopatra, his assassination, and the famous play by William Shakespeare that helped immortalize his image:

Myth 1: Julius Caesar was born by cesarean section

For centuries, it was believed that Julius Caesar was the first child born via “Caesarean section.” But this is likely far from the truth. The source of this confusion may be a 10th-century Byzantine-Greek historical encyclopedia called the Suda.

She claimed that Caesarean sections got their name from Caesar himself: "The Roman emperors got their name from Julius Caesar, who was not born naturally. His mother died in the ninth month of pregnancy. So people had to cut open her belly and take the baby out. And in the Roman language this type of section is called 'Caesarean'."

But this is unlikely to have happened for several reasons. First, Caesarean sections were already being performed in Rome at that time. A law requiring Caesarean sections to be performed under certain circumstances was passed during the reign of Numa Pompilius, who ruled from 715 to 673 BC, long before Julius Caesar.

According to the law, if a woman died during pregnancy, she had to undergo a Caesarean section, as it was against Roman beliefs to bury a mother with her baby in her womb. The law also provided that pregnant women who were dying were to undergo such a procedure, in an attempt to save the life of the baby. The Suda incorrectly writes that Caesar's mother, Aurelia, died in childbirth. Meanwhile, it is known that she lived well into old age.

Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" left out a key protagonist in the emperor's assassination

William Shakespeare's play, set in 44 BC, describes the motives that led to his murders and the consequences of this act. One of the most famous quotes from the play, spoken by Caesar shortly before his death, is "Et tu, Brute?" (And you, Brutus?).

In fact, Caesar did not say this, as he did not even know Brutus that well. The real traitor is Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus. But he is mentioned very little in the play and his name was misspelled. In fact, he was Caesar's friend. The emperor even involved him in politics to help him restore his family's image in the country. They fought alongside each other in several battles. But in the end, Decimus played a key role in the assassination of Caesar.

Julius Caesar and Cleopatra had an affair, which produced a son named Caesarion.

The relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra was more than lust. It was a relationship that both needed to achieve their goals. To secure her position on the throne of Egypt, Cleopatra needed an army. More precisely, she needed Caesar's large army. The latter was interested in the great wealth to pay off the empire's debts, cementing his position in power.

Cleopatra went to live in Rome with Caesar. They had a son together, Caesarion. Caesar's public displays of affection inspired the erection of a statue of Cleopatra in the Temple of Venus Genetrix. She remained in Rome until Caesar's assassination, an event that forced her to leave with her son.

He was killed on March 15, 44 BC, after being stabbed 23 times.

In 44 BC, Caesar declared himself dictator for life. While many of his changes and reforms were well received by the lower and middle class population, politicians became concerned about his growing power. The emperor was stabbed to death by a group of about 40 senators.

You can visit the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Largo di Torre Argentina is Rome's oldest open-air square, and was the site where Caesar was stabbed 23 times on March 15, 44 BC. It gradually fell into disrepair over the following centuries. But after a $1.1 million restoration, the historic site has been open to the public since last year.

A bust thought to belong to Julius Caesar was discovered in 2007

Some historians and archaeologists believe that a bust recovered from the Rhone River in France in 2007 is actually of Julius Caesar. If true, it would be the only surviving statue made of the emperor while he was alive.

Since most visual representations of Caesar were made after his death, historians say they tend to be idealized versions of him. But this bust is thought to resemble the leader as he actually looked, showing a receding hairline and numerous wrinkles on the forehead. The monument is currently housed in the Musée Departmental de l'Arles Antique.

He was kidnapped by pirates, but later took revenge on them.

When he was 25 years old, Caesar was sailing on a ship in the Aegean Sea when he was kidnapped by Sicilian pirates. They were going to demand 20 talents of silver (about $600,000 today) for his release. Caesar is said to have laughed ironically and told them that they should demand 50 talents (about 1,550 kg of silver). When his associates went to collect the money, Caesar was forced to wait in captivity. When he was freed, he gathered a small group of soldiers, found the pirates, cut their throats, and took the silver.

He had 3 wives during his life.

Caesar married Cornelia, his first wife, in 84 BC. They had a daughter together, but Cornelia died in 69 BC. Two years later, Caesar married Pompeia, whom he later divorced. He then married Calpurnia in 59 BC, and they lived together until his death.

Famous quotes by Julius Caesar:

"I came, I saw, I conquered" or in Latin "Veni, Vidi, Vici".

"People willingly believe what they want."

"If you must break the law, do so to gain power: in all other cases respect it."

"No one is brave enough not to be disturbed by something unexpected."

"I love betrayal, but I hate the traitor!"

Famous quotes from William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar"

"Cowards die many times before their death; the brave experience death only once."

"Death, a necessary end, it will come when the time is right."

"Beware of the Ides of March." (said by a fortune teller) / bota.al