Julius Caesar was the most famous person of Ancient Rome. He was born in July 100BC and was famously killed on the 15th of March 44BC (The 15th of March was called the Ides of March).

Caesar was not just a famous Roman general and then leader of the Roman Empire. He was also a writer.

Caesar changed the way that Rome was ruled, making himself supreme leader. To do this he had to make himself popular among the Roman people. Previously the leaders of Rome had been chosen from among the ruling class. Now the people wanted to have their say. But this was not to the liking of many in the ruling class.

His most famous expedition to conquer new lands was his advance into the area called Gaul (which is now France), stretching out the empire to the English Channel. In 55BC he also made an expedition into the British Isles, although Britain was never held by the Romans in Caesar's lifetime. He finally conquered all of the tribes of Gaul by 51BC after a famous battle with the Gaulish leader called Vercingetorix.

This made Caesar the most powerful general in Rome, and many think that he was one of the greatest commanders in history.

To try to curb his powers, the ruler of Rome (the Senate) ordered him to return and give up his command. Instead, he marched on Rome with his legions. The result was a civil war which Caesar won.

Once Caesar was in power he began to change the way the Roman Empire was run. He also started many grand buildings such as the Julian Forum in Rome. He was also responsible for changing the way that the years were counted. The new calendar that was produced is known as the Julian Calendar.

As a result of all these events, Caesar was created ruler for his lifetime, so there was no possibility of removing him. That is why he was murdered by other senators. But they failed in their attempt to take power and he was succeeded not by those senators, but by his adopted heir, who was called Octavian, but whose name was changed to Augustus.