Julius Caesar

100 BCE – 44 BCE

Retrace Julius Caesar's life across the map — 32 events in chronological order, from a cinematic flythrough to a full timeline.

80 BCE

Siege of Mytilene

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Life journey

Siege of Mytilene80 BCE
The siege of Mytilene took place in 81 BC during the Second Mithridatic War, when the city of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos was taken by Rome. It was the first documented military action of Julius Caesar.
Battle of Bibracte57 BCE
The Battle of Bibracte was fought between a Gallic confederation centred around the Helvetii and a Roman army under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar. It was the first major battle of the Gallic Wars.
Battle of the Arar57 BCE
The Battle of the Arar was fought between the migrating tribes of the Helvetii and six Roman legions under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar in 58 BC. It was the first major battle of the Gallic Wars and ended in a tactical victory for the outnumbered Roman army.
Battle of Vosges57 BCE
The Battle of Vosges, also referred to as the Battle of Vesontio, was fought on September 14, 58 BC between a coalition of Germanic tribes, under the leadership of Ariovistus, and a Roman army supported by Gallic allies under the overall command of Gaius Julius Caesar. This encounter is the second major battle of the Gallic Wars.
Gallic War57 BCE
The Gallic Wars were waged between 58 and 50 BC by the Roman general Julius Caesar against the peoples of Gaul. Gallic, Germanic, and Brittonic tribes fought to defend their homelands against an aggressive Roman campaign. The wars culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, in which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul. Though the collective Gallic armies were as strong as the Roman forces, internal divisions among the Gallic tribes eased victory for Caesar. Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix's attempt to unite the Gauls under a single banner came too late. Caesar portrayed the invasion as being a preemptive and defensive action, but historians agree that he fought the wars primarily to boost his political career and to pay off his debts. Still, Gaul was of significant military importance to the Romans. Native tribes in the region, both Gallic and Germanic, had repeatedly attacked Roman territory. Conquering Gaul allowed Rome to secure the natural border of the Rhine river.
Battle of the Sabis56 BCE
The Battle of the Sabis also known as the Battle of the Sambre or the Battle against the Nervians was fought in 57 BC near modern Saulzoir in Northern France. At the River Sabis a Roman army under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar fought an association of Belgae tribes, principally the Nervii. Caesar was surprised and nearly defeated by a Belgae surprise attack. According to Caesar's commentaries, a combination of determined defence, skilled generalship, and the timely arrival of reinforcements allowed the Romans to turn the Belgae ambush into a Roman victory. Few primary sources describe the battle in detail, with most information coming from Caesar's own report on the battle from his book, Commentarii de Bello Gallico. Little is therefore known about the Nervii perspective on the battle.
Battle of the Axona56 BCE
The Battle of the Axona was fought in 57 BC, between the Roman army of Gaius Julius Caesar and the Belgae. The Belgae, led by King Galba of the Suessiones, attacked, only to be repelled by Caesar. Fearing an ambush, the Romans delayed their pursuit. Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico describes this battle at 2.7 - 2.11.
Caesar's invasions of Britain55 BCE
In the course of his Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar invaded Britain twice: in 55 and 54 BC. On the first occasion, Caesar took with him only two legions, and achieved little beyond a landing on the coast of Kent. The second invasion was more substantial, consisting of 800 ships, five legions and 2,000 cavalry. The force was so imposing that the Celtic Britons did not initially contest Caesar's landing, waiting instead until he began to move inland. Caesar eventually penetrated into Middlesex and crossed the Thames, forcing the British warlord Cassivellaunus to pay tribute to Rome and setting up Mandubracius of the Trinovantes as a client king. The Romans then returned to Gaul without conquering any territory.
Battle of Morbihan55 BCE
The Battle of Morbihan, also known as the Battle of Quiberon Bay, was a naval battle fought in the summer of 56 BC between the Gallic tribe of the Veneti and a Roman fleet sent by Julius Caesar. The battle was fought off the coast of Brittany in modern-day France, likely near Quiberon Bay. The battle was a part of the Gallic Wars. The battle ended in a decisive Roman victory.
Ambiorix's Revolt53 BCE
Ambiorix's revolt was a rebellion of the Eburones tribe, triggered by the occupation of their territory by a part of Caesar's army. The uprising took place in the winter of 54–53 BCE and is part of Caesar's Gallic Wars. The tribe had appointed two war-leaders to command their warriors during their insurrection: Ambiorix and Catuvolcus. The revolt was afterwards named after Ambiorix, who played a more prominent role in the rebellion.
Battle of Vingeanne51 BCE
The Battle of the Vingeanne was a mainly cavalry engagement between Roman legions under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar and the coalition of Gaulic tribes led by Vercingetorix. It occurred near the river of Vingeanne. It was one of the major battles of the Gallic Wars and was won by the Romans.
Battle of Gergovia51 BCE
The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC in Gaul at Gergovia, the chief oppidum of the Arverni. The battle was fought between a Roman Republican army, led by proconsul Julius Caesar, and Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix, who was also the Arverni chieftain. The Romans attempted to besiege Gergovia, but miscommunication ruined the Roman plan. The Gallic cavalry counterattacked the confused Romans and sent them to flight, winning the battle.
Battle of Alesia51 BCE
The Battle of Alesia or Siege of Alesia was the climactic military engagement of the Gallic Wars, fought around the Gallic oppidum of Alesia in modern France, a major centre of the Mandubii tribe. It was fought by the Roman army of Julius Caesar against a confederation of Gallic tribes united under the leadership of Vercingetorix of the Arverni. It was the last major engagement between Gauls and Romans, and is considered one of Caesar's greatest military achievements and a classic example of siege warfare and investment; the Roman army built dual lines of fortifications—an inner wall to keep the besieged Gauls in, and an outer wall to keep the Gallic relief force out. The Battle of Alesia marked the end of Gallic independence in the modern day territory of France and Belgium.
Siege of Uxellodunum50 BCE
The siege of Uxellodunum was one of the last battles of the Gallic Wars. It took place in 51 BC at Uxellodunum. It was the last major military confrontation of the Gallic Wars and marked the pacification of Gaul under Roman rule. The battle resulted in a decisive Roman victory.
Siege of Corfinium48 BCE
The siege of Corfinium was the first significant military confrontation of Caesar's Civil War. Undertaken in February 49 BC, it saw the forces of Gaius Julius Caesar's Populares besiege the Italian city of Corfinium, which was held by a force of Optimates under the command of Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. The siege lasted only a week, after which the defenders surrendered themselves to Caesar. This bloodless victory was a significant propaganda coup for Caesar and hastened the retreat of the main Optimate force from Italia, leaving the Populares in effective control of the entire peninsula.
Siege of Massilia48 BCE
The siege of Massilia, including two naval engagements, was an episode of Caesar's Civil War, fought in 49 BC between forces loyal to the Optimates and a detachment of Caesar's army. The siege was conducted by Gaius Trebonius, one of Caesar's senior legates, while the naval operations were in the capable hands of Decimus Brutus, Caesar's naval expert.
Battle of Ilerda48 BCE
The Battle of Ilerda took place in June 49 BC between the forces of Julius Caesar and the Hispanian army of Pompey Magnus, led by his legates Lucius Afranius and Marcus Petreius. Unlike many of the other battles of the civil war, this was more a campaign of manoeuvre than actual fighting. It allowed Caesar to eliminate the threat of Pompey's forces in Hispania and face Pompey himself in Greece at the Battle of Pharsalus.
Battle of Pharsalus47 BCE
The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War fought on 9 August 48 BC near Pharsalus in Central Greece. Julius Caesar and his allies formed up opposite the army of the Roman Republic under the command of Pompey. Pompey had the backing of a majority of Roman senators and his army significantly outnumbered the veteran Caesarian legions.
Siege of Oricum47 BCE
The siege of Oricum occurred in the winter of 48 BC during the Civil War, beginning in November. When Caesar approached the city of Oricum in Illyricum with an armed force, the Pompeian commander, Lucius Manlius Torquatus, surrendered without a fight. After Caesar departed for Dyrrhachium with most of his army, Gnaeus Pompeius the younger attacked Oricum with his fleet, and overcoming the harbour defenses prepared by Marcus Acilius Caninus, took the city by storm.
Battle of Dyrrhachium47 BCE
The Battle of Dyrrachium took place from April to late July 48 BC near the city of Dyrrachium, modern day Durrës in what is now Albania. It was fought between Gaius Julius Caesar and an army led by Gnaeus Pompey during Caesar's civil war.
Siege of Gomphi47 BCE
The siege of Gomphi was a brief military confrontation during Caesar's Civil War. Following defeat at the Battle of Dyrrhachium, the men of Gaius Julius Caesar besieged the Thessalian city of Gomphi. The city fell in a few hours and Caesar's men were allowed to sack Gomphi.
Battle of Zela46 BCE
The Battle of Zela was fought in 47 BC between Julius Caesar and Pharnaces II of the Kingdom of Pontus. The battle took place near Zela, which is now a small hilltop town in the Tokat province of northern Turkey. The battle ended the ambitions of king Pharnaces who wanted to expand his rule over Asia Minor.
Battle of Tauris46 BCE
The Battle of Tauris was a naval battle during Caesar's civil war in which a Pompeian fleet led by Marcus Octavius was defeated by a Caesarian fleet led by Publius Vatinius operating off the coast of Dalmatia.
Siege of Alexandria46 BCE
The siege of Alexandria was a series of skirmishes and battles occurring between the forces of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra VII, Arsinoe IV, and Ptolemy XIII, between 48 and 47 BC. During this time Caesar was engaged in a civil war against remaining Republican forces.
Battle of the Nile46 BCE
The Battle of the Nile in early 47 BC saw the combined Roman–Egyptian armies of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII defeat those of the rival Queen Arsinoe IV and King Ptolemy XIII and secure the throne of Egypt.
Battle of Ruspina45 BCE
The Battle of Ruspina was fought on 4 January 46 BC in the Roman province of Africa, between the Republican forces of the Optimates and forces loyal to Julius Caesar. The Republican army was commanded by Titus Labienus, Caesar's former lieutenant during the Gallic Wars who had defected to the Republican side at the beginning of the civil war.
Battle of Carteia45 BCE
The Battle of Carteia was a minor naval battle during the latter stages of Caesar's civil war won by the Caesarians led by Caesar's legate Gaius Didius against the Pompeians led by Publius Attius Varus.
Battle of Thapsus45 BCE
The Battle of Thapsus was a military engagement that took place on April 6, 46 BC near Thapsus. The forces of the Optimates, led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Scipio, were defeated by the forces of Julius Caesar. It was followed shortly by the suicides of Scipio and his ally, Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis, the Numidian king Juba, and his Roman peer Marcus Petreius.
Siege of Apamea44 BCE
The siege of Apamea was an abortive siege of Apamea in Roman Syria. Lucius Statius Murcus and Quintus Marcius Crispus led the attempt to capture the city, the equestrian Quintus Caecilius Bassus led its defence.
Battle of Lauro44 BCE
The Battle of Lauro was the last stand of Gnaeus Pompeius the Younger, son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, against the followers of Julius Caesar during the civil war of 49–45 BC. After being defeated during the Battle of Munda, the younger Pompeius unsuccessfully attempted to flee Hispania Ulterior by sea, but was eventually forced to land. Pursued by Caesarian forces under Lucius Caesennius Lento, the Pompeians were cornered at a wooded hill near the town of Lauro, where most of them, including Pompeius the Younger, were killed in battle.
Battle of Munda44 BCE
The Battle of Munda, in southern Hispania Ulterior, was the final battle of Caesar's civil war against the leaders of the Optimates. With the military victory at Munda and the deaths of Titus Labienus and Gnaeus Pompeius, Caesar was politically able to return in triumph to Rome, and then govern as the elected Roman dictator. Subsequently, the assassination of Julius Caesar furthered the long Republican decline that led to the Roman Empire, initiated with the reign of the emperor Augustus.
Siege of Corduba44 BCE
The siege of Corduba was an engagement near the end of Caesar's Civil War, in which Julius Caesar had besieged the city of Corduba after Sextus Pompey, Son of Pompey Magnus had fled the city leaving Annio Scapula in charge. Caesar stormed the city and 22,000 people died.

Event data from Wikipedia/Wikidata (CC-BY-SA). Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].