In this splendid profile, Canfora offers a radically new interpretation of one of the most controversial figures in history. The result of a comprehensive study of the ancient sources, "Julius Caesar" paints an astonishingly detailed portrait of this complex man and the times in which he lived.

Julius Caesar is one of the most famous figures in ancient Rome. He was born into a turbulent era, when different factions were trying to control the government. He survived and began a steady rise in importance. He became a very successful military commander who added more than 200,000 square miles to the territories under Rome's control. But his triumphs created powerful enemies in Rome. They wanted to strip him of his power. He defeated those enemies in a civil war that made him even more powerful. He had a famous love relationship with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. When it seemed that nothing could hold him back, he was assassinated in the Roman Senate. One of his most notable accomplishments still affects people today. He reformed the calendar and established the length of a year at its present 365 days, with a leap year every four years. The month of July is named after him.

This “captivating biography” of the great Roman general “puts Caesar’s war exploits on full display, along with his literary genius” and more (The New York Times) Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of the Julius Caesar’s life, Adrian Goldsworthy not only chronicles his accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult and captive of pirates, and rebel condemned by his own country. Goldsworthy also reveals much about Caesar’s intimate life, as husband and father, and as seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals. This landmark biography examines Caesar in all of these roles and places its subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C. Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate thousands of years later.

A monumental new life of Ancient Rome's most illustrious complex and legendary leader - Julius Caesar.

Loved by the common people and his fellow soldiers, Caesar came to control the Roman Republic. But his opponents were steadfast in their struggle against him. The tale of Julius Caesar is filled with ambition, glory, and ultimately, tragedy.

This is a fresh account of Julius Caesar - the brilliant politician and intriguing figure who became sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar examines key figures such as Marius, Sulla, Cicero, Mark Antony, Gaius Octavius (emperor Augustus), Calpurnia and Cleopatra, as well as the unnamed warriors who fought for and against him, and politicians who supported and opposed him. Including new translations from classical sources, Antony Kamm sets Caesar’s life against the historical, political and social background of the times and addresses key issues: Did Caesar destroy the Republic? What was the legality of his position and the moral justifications of his actions How good a general was he? What was his relationship with Cleopatra? Why was he assassinated? What happened next? This is Caesar – the lavish spender, the military strategist, a considerable orator and historical writer, and probably the most influential figure of his time - in all his historical glory. Students of Rome and its figures will find this an enthralling, eye-opening addition to their course reading.

This book is a splendid profile of an extraordinary man, and a radically new interpretation of one of the most controversial figures in history.Caesar played a leading role in the politics and culture of a world empire, dwarfing his contemporaries in ambition, achievement and appetite. For that, he has occupied a central place in the political imagination of Europe ever since. Yet he remains something of an enigma, struck down by his own lieutenants because he could be neither comprehended nor contained. In surviving evidence he emerges as incommensurate and nonpareil, just beyond the horizons of contemporary political thought and understanding.The result of Luciano Canfora's many years of research is a fascinating portrait of the Roman dictator, combining the evidence of political history and psychology. The product of a comprehensive study of the ancient sources, it paints an astonishingly detailed portrait of a complex personality whose mission of 'Romanisation' lies at the root of modern Europe.Key Features* Easy, engaging and pleasurable to read* About 42 chronological studies of events create a full portrait of Caesar and the contemporary Roman background* Space is devoted to the details surrounding his assassination