Caesar, Gaius Julius
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Caesar, Gaius Julius (100-44 b.c.), Roman general and author. He conquered Gaul (58-51 b.c.) and then in the civil wars of 49-45 b.c. he dispersed the supporters of his rival Pompey and the Roman senate and emerged as a virtual dictator. He was assassinated March 15, 44 b.c. After more civil wars, his grand-nephew and adopted heir, Octavian (Augustus) who had taken the name ‘Caesar,’ emerged as sole ruler of Rome. ‘Caesar’ then came to be used as a title for the emperor (e.g., Matt. 22:21; Mark 12:14; Luke 20:22). See also Augustus.
Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.) (148). San Francisco: Harper & Row.
