In 60 BC, a young and ambitious general by the name of Julius Caesar stepped into political life. He had been very successful on the battlefield, and had greatly expanded Rome’s borders, bringing parts of Gaul and Britain under the control of Rome. He conquered enemies in Spain and Germany, and passed onto Greece. Caesar marched into Egypt also, where he notched up another victory.
However, these victories made the Roman Senate fear that Caesar would use his army to over throw the republican government. In an attempt to protect this from happening, the Senate ordered Julius Caesar to return to Rome, but to leave his armies north of the Rubicon River.
Caesar refused to do as he had been ordered. By crossing the Rubicon with his armies, he committed treason against the Senate, and in effect, declared civil war. Caesar eventually defeated opposing forces, and by 45 BC, had taken over control of the entire Roman Empire. Sadly, Caesar’s rule in Rome would be brief. The following year, in 44 BC, he was murdered by members of the Senate.
