Julius Caesar rose through the ranks to become consul of Rome in 59 BC

Hard to believe, Julius Caesar rose through the ranks to become consul of Rome in 59 BC.

Julius Caesar was born on July 12 or 13, 100 BC, in Rome, into the famous Julian line. His family had strong ties to the Marian group in Roman politics. Caesar advanced through the Roman political system, becoming quaestor, aedile, and praetor in succession. He was governor of the Roman province of Spain from 61 to 60 BC. Back in Rome in 60, Caesar struck a deal with Pompey and Crassus, who assisted him in being elected consul for 59 BC. The next year, he was named governor of Roman Gaul, where he served for eight years, adding modern France and Belgium to the Roman empire and protecting Rome from Gallic attacks. In 55 BC and 54 BC, he led two voyages to Britain.

He is regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history, having won multiple campaigns, the most notable of which was his conquest of Gaul. Caesar climbed up the political ranks to unofficially control Rome as part of the First Triumvirate, and then to become the most powerful man in the Roman Republic, with the title of dictator in perpetuity. During his reign as Rome's sole ruler, he instituted several significant reforms, including steps to alleviate poverty.