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Gaius Julius Caesar, born on 13 July 100 BC in Rome, gained his position through the power he amassed because of his conquests. His conquest of Gaul extended the Roman territory all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, with the first Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. He is regarded as one of the greatest military strategists of all time, as well as a brilliant politician. As leader of the Roman world, Caesar implemented extensive reforms of Roman society and government. He overthrew the already faltering government of the weak Republic, and was proclaimed Dictator for life.

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14y ago
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11y ago

Julius Caesar never actually became a "dictator." He actually never even became Emperor like many people believe.

After an extremely successful campaign in Gaul (modern day France-Germany), he was SUPPOSED to disband his troops before he entered the city of Rome's borders. Instead he talked his troops into crossing the Rubicon (the river marking the borders) and by that he had thrown himself into power. He was still only leader of the Republic, but he wanted more power.

He was assasinated by his senators before he could become king of Rome.

But to answer your question, he wanted to become King because he would complete say over all government actions and ultimately more power/wealth.

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9y ago

Caesar was appointed dictator four times. A dictator was an extraordinary office of state with extraordinary powers who was appointed by the Consuls (the two annually elected heads of the Roman Republic) with a term of six months at times of emergency. He was given a specific mandate by senatorial decree and resigned when the job was done, even if this was finished before the six months. I

In Mach 49 BC Caesar marched on Rome with his troops, waging a civil war against the senate. The main forces of the senate led by Pompey the Great withdrew to Brundisium in southern Italy to wait for a fleet to sail to Greece. Caesar tried to reach him to form an alliance, but he refused and left for Greece. Caesar then Marched to Spain and defeated another large force of senatorial troops there. With this victory Caesar gained great power in Rome. When he returned to Rome in December 49 BC, he used this power to have himself appointed as dictator. He used this Dictatorship to preside over his own election as consul and resigned after 11 days.

After having defeated the forces of Pompey in Greece in 48 BC, Caesar was appointed dictator by his fellow consul (Publius Servilius Isauricus). He was appointed for an indeterminate period while he was away in Egypt, despite the term of this office being six months as Caesar was busy in the eastern Mediterranean. Caesar held this dictatorship for one year. When he returned to Rome, he strengthened his power by replacing the many senators who had died in battle with his supporters. He also increased the size of the senate by 1/3 (from 600 to 9000 and foiled the new seats with his supporters. In 46 BC Caesar was appointed dictator with a term of 10 years. Initially it was to be renewed annually, and then held continuously. This was probably due to continued instability. There was unrest among troops stationed in Italy and the civil was dragging on, with more battles fought in Africa and in Spain. In 44 BC Caesar was appointed dictator for life or dictator in perpetuity (dictator perpetuo).

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10y ago

The term "dictator" in ancient Rome meant something quite different from how we think of it today. When we use the term "dictator", we think of a strongman who somehow takes control of a country and rules with absolute power. Like Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, the Kims in North Korea, Franco, etc.

In ancient Rome, "dictator" (which, in Latin, means "the person who says") was an actual government position. If Rome was in trouble, usually because it was losing a war, the Roman Senate could select one man to become a dictator. This was a special honor and gave that person enormous military and government power. He was the supreme commander of all of Rome's military, and he had the ability to rule by decree- he could change laws as he saw fit. However, this immense power was temporary; a dictatorship only lasted six months, or for the duration of the emergency that caused his election.

There were many dictators, but there are two that really stand out above all others until Caesar's day. These will give a quick idea of what it meant to be a Roman dictator:

  1. Cincinnatus - lived around the 5th century BC, when Rome was still a small city in Italy along with other city-states. When some of these other city-states threatened to attack Rome, Cincinnatus was elected Dictator. He was a farmer, and was found plowing his fields. He dropped his plow, went off to fight the war, quickly won it, resigned his position, and went back to his farm.
  2. Fabius - during the Second Punic War, Hannibal was in Italy, destroying everything Rome threw at him. After he destroyed a Roman army at the Battle of Trasimene Lake, Fabius was made Dictator. He knew Hannibal was a brilliant general and couldn't be beaten; so instead of fighting Hannibal, Fabius used what is now known as a "Fabian strategy". He basically used guerrilla tactics to harrass Hannibal's army, preventing Hannibal from attacking Rome or making allies with other city-states. Eventually the Senate grew impatient with Fabius's strategy (they mocked him with the nickname "Cunctator", or "Delayer") and refused to extend his dictatorship. A large and very powerful Roman army went off to fight Hannibal, and was completely annihilated at the Battle of Cannae. The Senate realized Fabius's wisdom and subsequently adopted his strategy, harrassing Hannibal's forces until Scipio was able to attack Carthage, forcing Hannibal to leave Italy for good.

Anyway, back to Julius Caesar. With the breakdown of the First Triumvirate- the arrangement that had three men, Caesar, Pompey and Crassus, indirectly ruling Rome- because of Crassus's death, civil war between Caesar and Pompey broke out. Eventually Caesar defeated Pompey, but Pompey's supporters remained and continued causing problems. The Senate made Caesar into a Dictator, and Caesar used his Dictator powers to change the law so that it would last a year instead of six months.

After he defeated Pompey's supporters, Caesar decided to rewrite the Roman constitution and reorganize the government to better rule the large empire that it now controlled (and it would continue growing over the next 200 years!). As part of this, the Senate made him Dictator for 10 years in 46 BC. He made many changes, and was wildly popular, so he was made Dictator for Life in 44 BC.

However, his term as Dictator for Life wound up being very short. About two months later, he was assassinated on the Ides of March, which sparked a second civil war and eventually led to his nephew Octavius becoming the first true Roman Emperor.

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10y ago

The meaning of the word dictator was very different in ancient Rome than it is now. The dictatorship was an extraordinary office of state which was received by appointment by the senate at times of emergencies. The term of this office was normally 6 months, but Julius Caesar had the political clout to have this rule bent.

Julius Caesar was appointed dictator in 49 BC to oversee his election as consul (the heads of the state and the army) and resigned from the office after 11 days. This happened because of the political strength he had gained with the initial defeat of the forces of the senate in the civil war he started (historians call it Caesar's Civil War), and the enormous popularity he had with the middle and lower classes. He was appointed dictator for one year in 48 BC. When he filled the senate with his supporters he had himself appointed as dictator for 10 years in 46 BC and dictator for life in 44 BC.

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12y ago

Julius Caesar, although a man of many interests and talents, was also a ruthless politician. He became dictator of Rome by winning the civil war and also by packing the senate. His senatorial appointees would naturally vote him all the power, authority and honors that were proposed -- the dictatorship among them.

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11y ago

He was smart, he conquered Gaul, he had a strong army, and he seized power from the state. (:

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12y ago

Crassus died . Thereee yah go . He was killed in battle and julius was named dictator

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11y ago

He declared himself dictator in 46 BC.

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Q: What did Julius Caesar do to become dictator of rome?
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What is julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a man who was in the First Triumvirate of Rome. He also was the first dictator of Rome. A correction here. Julius Caesar was not the first dictator of Rome. There were 78 men who held the office of dictator before Caesar.


Julius Caesar Became the first roman dictator in 48 BC?

assassinatedFlavus was the first designated dictator. Dictator was a temporary office created in times of national emergency, when the country was under martial law. Cincinnatus famously was summoned from his plowing and, once the crisis was over, resigned the dictatorship, and returned to his plow. There are over forty dictators listed in Roman archives. However, Julius Caesar is the only one created Dictator in Perpetuus. Following Caesar's assassination, his heir, Octavius, became the Emperor of Rome, known as Caesar Augustus, although his official title was Princeps.


Who was a dictator of Rome?

Julius Caesar


Who was dictator of rome in 44bc?

Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.


What was the Dictator of Rome called?

Julius Caesar and Mussolini have been described as "The Dictator of Rome"


Who is Caesar from the Roman Republic?

Julius Caesar was a dictator in ancient Rome.


Who was declared dictator for life in rome?

Julius Caesar


Who was Rome's first dictator for life?

Julius Caesar :)


Did Julius Caesar became dictator of Rome as a result of a change in Constitution?

no, senators assassinated ceasar before he had a chance to become a dictator


How did Julius Caesar rise?

Julius Caesar came into power as a leader of Rome because he was a dictator for life


Did Julius Caesar became the dictator of Rome after Pompey?

before


That Julius Caesar was right to declare himself dictator of rome?

Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.