Do you know how the month of July got its name? It was named for Julius Caesar, a man so important to the establishing of the Roman Empire that his influence is still felt today. Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC to a patrian family that claimed descendancy from the mythological figure Venus. He became a senator as an adult and quickly rose to praetorship. A praetor was like a senator, except with the authority to command an army. Caesar did exactly as his authority allowed and embarked on a number of successful military campaigns. Because of these, he was made consul in 59 BC. As a consul, he continued to increase his fame and power in the following campaigns:

Caesar wrote extensively about his military campaigns and sent his literary efforts back to Rome for all to read. After these campaigns all ended in triumph, Caesar returned to Rome and spent the next five years waging a bloody civil war. At the end of the war, he succeeded in uniting the Roman Empire, and he reigned over it until his assassination in 44 BC. Check online and see what else you can learn about this fascinating historical figure!

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