

("Pontic" is an adjective referring to "Pontos", the ancient Greek name for the modern-day Black Sea.)Īccording to the biographer Plutarch in his Parallel Lives ("Julius Caesar"), the Latin phrase "Veni, vidi, vici" was written on placards carried through Rome in 46 BC by Julius Caesar's soldiers in their triumphal procession celebrating their Pontic victory. It referred to the rapidity of Caesar's success in the Pontic campaign. 30 Powerful Quotes from Julius Caesar To Help You Conquer Fear. This incident is the source of the English phrase, to cross the Rubicon, which again means to take a step that commits one to an undertaking.Īccording to the historian Suetonius in his Lives of the Caesars ("Divus Julius, section 37), Caesar is reported to have first used this phrase when writing a letter to a friend just after the victory of Zela (47 BC) at the end of the Pontic campaign. Julius Caesar Quotes Powerful Quotes, Wise Quotes, Great Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Gaius. ( Source: Roman historian Suetonius' book, Julius Caesar.) By this phrase Caesar meant that he had now irrevocably started the war and that there was no going back. This was the observation made as he crossed the Rubicon, a stream that separated Gaul (modern-day France) from Italy. These are the opening words of Caesar's historical work, Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic War), which was celebrated for its terse, third person style. With this step, he entered Italy at the head of his army in defiance and began his long civil war against Pompey and the Optimates.Gaul as a whole is divided into three parts. Suetonius to Caesar: “Alea iacta est” – “The die is cast.” as he led his army across the River Rubicon in northern Italy. Last words of Julius Caesar: “Et tu, Brute?” – “Even you, Brutus?” (after stabbing by conspirators). “How to avoid getting stabbed in the back at work.” “I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory.” “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.” “Which death is preferably to every other? “The unexpected.” “It is not these well-fed long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.” “All bad precedents begin as justifiable measures” “When the swords flash let no idea of love, piety, or even the face of your fathers move you” “If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.” “As a rule, what is out of sight disturbs men’s minds more seriously than what they see” Julius Caesar’s recognition as a god of the Roman state in January 42 bce enhanced Octavian’s prestige as son of a god. “Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true.” The good is oft interred with their bones,” “What we wish, we readily believe, and what we ourselves think, we imagine others think also.” “Cowards die many times before their actual deaths.” “It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life.” “I love the name of honor, more than I fear death.” “In war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes”

“I would rather be first in a small village in Gaul than second in command in Rome” “Veni, vidi, vici.” “I came, I saw, I conquered.” On 15 March 44 BCE, the Roman dictator Julius Caesar was murdered by conspirators including Brutus (his illegitimate son).

Caesar wrote on grammar, astronomy, philosophy, poetry, and the civil war (De Bello Civile) but his best known work is the De Bello Gallico. He was also considered overly ambitious, cruel to his enemies, and unscrupulous in politics. He was strict but fair, and his soldiers were very loyal to him.

He was awarded divine posthumous honors, titles, statues, the status of dictator for life (dictator perpetuo).Ĭaesar was considered brilliant, decisive, resourceful, and calm under pressure. After defeating the senatorial forces led by Pompey, Caesar became the leader of Rome, soon taking the title of dictator. Crossing the Rubicon also made him a traitor to Rome. However, when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, he faced Pompey as an enemy. With Crassus and Pompey, Caesar formed the first Triumvirate.
