According to an unlikely legend, Gaius Julius Caesar was born by Caesarean section to Aurelia and Gaius Julius Caesar, a praetor, on July 13, 100 BCE. His father died when Caesar was 16 years old, and it was his mother Aurelia, who proved to be quite influential in his life. Caesar's family was part of Rome's original aristocracy, called patricians, although they were not rich or particularly influential. At the time of Caesar's birth, the number of patricians was small, and their status no longer provided political advantage. After his father's death, he was betrothed and possibly married a wealthy young woman, Cossutia. This betrothal/marriage was soon broken off, and at age 18 he married Cornelia, daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna in 84 BCE. She later bore him his only legitimate child, a daughter, Julia. When the Optimate dictator, Sulla, an enemy of the family, ordered Caesar to divorce her, Caesar refused.
Bust of Gaius Julius Caesar in the National Archae...
Bust of Julius Caesar from the British Museum
English: Cornelia Cinna Minor daughter of Lucius C...Sulla listed him among those to be executed, and Caesar went into hiding. Caesar's powerful friends and relatives eventually got him a pardon. When Sulla died in 78 BCE, he returned to Rome and began his political career as a prosecuting advocate.
Caesar then traveled to Rhodes to study rhetoric and did not return to Rome until 73 BCE. During his journey, Caesar was kidnapped by Cilician pirates and held for ransom. When informed that they intended to ask for 20 talents, he is supposed to have insisted that he was worth at least 50. He maintained a friendly, joking relationship with the pirates while the money was being raised, but warned them that he would track them down and have them crucified after he was released. He did just that, with the help of volunteers, as a caution to other pirates, but he first cut their...