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Caesar was a remarkable leader and the secret to his success was that he was able to seize opportunities in both the military and the political arena. This was a young man who came from an aristocratic family that had been long in decline but he was able to use his many talents to become the sole rule of Rome and the architect of the Roman Imperial System.
How did Caesar seize control of Rome? He was a member of the Populares Party and he was eventually able to secure leadership of this political group. Based on his support and influence he participated in the informal arrangement known as the First Triumvirate. This informal political alliance elevated him to become one of the most important politicians in Rome. This allowed him to become Consul and command a force of legions. Despite objections by the Senate, he used his legions to conquer Gaul and invade Britain. The support of the other parties in the Triumvirate allowed him to ignore the Senate. In the aftermath of the conquest of Gaul, he sent his troops across the Rubicon and occupied Rome. After he seized Rome, he triggered a Civil War that he won. While his rise was both remarkable and swift, it was ultimately short-lived because [[Why was Julius Caesar assassinated? |he was assassinated in 44 BCE]].
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