Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, and dictator who played a crucial role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Born in 100 BCE, he rose to power through military conquests, including his famous campaign in Gaul, which he detailed in Commentarii de Bello Gallico. His crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BCE sparked a civil war that cemented his dominance. Declared dictator for life, his growing power alarmed senators, leading to his assassination on the Ides of March in 44 BCE. Caesar’s legacy endured, reshaping Roman politics and inspiring countless leaders and historians.