50 moments

1. Born in Rome

   0100-01-01 BC · Rome, Italy

   

   Ancient tradition places Caesar's birth in Rome; the exact day is disputed between 12 and 13 July. Birth year is secure; ancient sources differ on 12 versus 13 July, so only the year is used.

2. Hides in the Sabine country

   0082-01-01 BC · Sabine Hills, Lazio, Italy

   

   During Sulla's ascendancy Caesar went into hiding and moved between refuges before obtaining a pardon. The source supports the Sabine country broadly, not a specific settlement; coordinates are representative.

3. Serves at Nicomedes' court

   0081-01-01 BC · Nicomedia, Bithynia, Turkey

   

   Serving under Marcus Minucius Thermus, Caesar was sent to Bithynia to obtain ships from King Nicomedes IV. Nicomedes' court was at Nicomedia; the source names Bithynia and the royal court rather than the city explicitly.

4. Fights at Mytilene

   0080-01-01 BC · Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece

   

   In his first eastern military service Caesar took part in the storming of Mytilene and received the civic crown.

5. Returns to Rome after Sulla's death

   0078-01-01 BC · Rome, Italy

   

   After hearing of Sulla's death, Caesar left service in Cilicia and returned quickly to Rome.

6. Captured near Pharmacusa

   0075-01-01 BC · Farmakonisi, Dodecanese, Greece

   

   While sailing toward Rhodes for further rhetorical study, Caesar was captured by pirates near Pharmacusa and held for weeks. Pharmacusa is generally identified with modern Farmakonisi.

7. Launches pursuit from Miletus

   0075-01-01 BC · Miletus, Aydın Province, Turkey

   

   After ransom was paid, Caesar organized ships at Miletus and immediately pursued his former captors.

8. Studies rhetoric on Rhodes

   0075-01-01 BC · Rhodes, Greece

   

   Caesar continued to Rhodes to study rhetoric under Apollonius Molon.

9. Takes pirates from Pergamum prison

   0075-01-01 BC · Pergamum, Bergama, Turkey

   

   After the provincial governor delayed punishment, Caesar returned to Pergamum and personally removed the captured pirates for execution.

10. Returns to Asia during Mithridatic attack

    0074-01-01 BC · Roman Province of Asia, western Turkey

    

    When Mithridates' forces threatened Roman allies, Caesar crossed from Rhodes back to Asia and raised auxiliaries. The source establishes the province but not a specific city; coordinates are representative of western Asia Minor.

11. Governs Farther Spain

    0061-01-01 BC · Hispania Ulterior, Spain

    

    After his praetorship Caesar departed for his assigned province of Hispania Ulterior, where he campaigned and restored order. The source supports the province broadly; no single headquarters is specified in the quoted passage.

12. Serves as consul in Rome

    0059-01-01 BC · Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

    

    Caesar held his first consulship in Rome, using popular legislation and alliance with Pompey and Crassus to dominate politics. The quoted passage concerns political action in the Forum during his consulship; coordinates mark the Forum broadly.

13. Arrives near Geneva

    0058-01-01 BC · Geneva, Switzerland

    

    At the opening of the Gallic War Caesar hurried from Rome to block the migrating Helvetii from entering the Roman province.

14. Crosses the Saône after attacking the Helvetii

    0058-01-01 BC · Saône River near Mâcon, France

    

    Caesar attacked the Tigurini near the Saône, then bridged the river and crossed with his army in pursuit of the Helvetii. The exact crossing point is debated; coordinates are a representative point on the Saône in the campaign area.

15. Seizes Vesontio

    0058-01-01 BC · Besançon, France

    

    Racing Ariovistus for the strategically vital Sequanian town, Caesar reached Vesontio first and installed a garrison. Vesontio is modern Besançon.

16. Campaigns at the Sabis

    0057-01-01 BC · Selle River near Saulzoir, France

    

    Caesar advanced into Nervian territory and fought the major battle traditionally associated with the Sambre/Selle region. Identification of the ancient Sabis is disputed; many modern scholars favor the Selle rather than the Sambre. Coordinates are representative.

17. Meets Pompey and Crassus at Lucca

    0056-01-01 BC · Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

    

    Caesar met leading Roman politicians at Lucca to renew the political compact that prolonged his Gallic command. Livius dates the conference to April 56 BC; the card retains year precision because the quoted evidence itself does not state the month.

18. Crosses the Rhine into Germania

    0055-01-01 BC · Rhine crossing near Neuwied, Germany

    

    Caesar built a bridge across the Rhine and led Roman forces into Germania in a demonstration against tribes east of the river. The exact bridge site is debated; the Loeb editor places it between Andernach and Koblenz. Coordinates are representative.

19. Embarks for first invasion of Britain

    0055-01-01 BC · Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

    

    Caesar launched his first British expedition from the Channel coast of Gaul, probably from the Boulogne area. Portus Itius is commonly identified with Boulogne, but the identification is not certain; date is the Loeb appendix reconstruction.

20. Lands in Britain near Deal

    0055-01-01 BC · Deal–Walmer coast, Kent, United Kingdom

    

    The first expedition reached the Kent coast after bypassing the cliffs near Dover and landed on open shore. Landing site is reconstructed rather than archaeologically certain; coordinates are representative of the Deal–Walmer coast.

21. Embarks for second invasion of Britain

    0054-01-01 BC · Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

    

    Caesar returned with a much larger fleet for a second British expedition. Date and port are reconstructed in the Loeb appendix; exact identification remains debated.

22. Reaches the Thames against Cassivellaunus

    0054-01-01 BC · Thames crossing, Greater London/Surrey, United Kingdom

    

    During the second British expedition Caesar advanced inland to the Thames and forced a difficult crossing against defended banks. The exact crossing site is uncertain; coordinates are a representative point on the lower Thames in the traditional campaign zone.

23. Besieges Alesia

    0052-01-01 BC · Alise-Sainte-Reine, France

    

    After pursuing Vercingetorix, Caesar established the double lines of circumvallation and contravallation around Alesia.

24. Commands siege at Gergovia

    0052-01-01 BC · Gergovia, La Roche-Blanche, France

    

    Caesar personally led six legions toward Gergovia and later abandoned the siege after a costly reverse.

25. Crosses the snowbound Cévennes

    0052-01-01 BC · Cévennes, France

    

    Caesar opened roads through deep winter snow and crossed the Cévennes to surprise the Arverni. The precise pass is uncertain; coordinates represent the central Cévennes.

26. Moves on Avaricum

    0052-01-01 BC · Bourges, France

    

    After operations at Vellaunodunum, Cenabum and Noviodunum, Caesar advanced to besiege Avaricum, a major Biturigan stronghold. Avaricum is modern Bourges.

27. Returns to Narbo during the Gallic revolt

    0052-01-01 BC · Narbonne, France

    

    At the start of Vercingetorix's great revolt Caesar hurried to Narbo to secure the Roman province.

28. Personally conducts the siege of Uxellodunum

    0051-01-01 BC · Puy d'Issolud, Vayrac, France

    

    In the final major resistance of the Gallic War, Caesar came to Uxellodunum and directed operations that cut off the defenders' water supply. Uxellodunum is widely identified with Puy d'Issolud; coordinates mark that site.

29. Advances to Brundisium

    0049-01-01 BC · Brindisi, Italy

    

    Pursuing Pompey to the Adriatic, Caesar reached Brundisium but lacked the ships to prevent Pompey's departure for Greece.

30. Besieges Corfinium

    0049-01-01 BC · Corfinio, Abruzzo, Italy

    

    Caesar moved rapidly through central Italy and camped directly outside Corfinium, where Domitius Ahenobarbus surrendered.

31. Campaigns through Massilia en route to Spain

    0049-01-01 BC · Marseille, France

    

    Caesar's westward advance was delayed by Massilia, whose refusal to admit him forced a siege before he continued toward Spain. The source confirms Caesar's advance at Massilia but does not specify his exact camp.

32. Crosses the Rubicon

    0049-01-01 BC · Rubicon River near Savignano sul Rubicone, Italy

    

    Caesar crossed the boundary of his province with troops, openly initiating civil war against the Pompeian government. Ancient identification of the Rubicon with the modern river is traditional but not absolutely certain; exact crossing point is unknown.

33. Follows Pompeians from Ilerda

    0049-01-01 BC · Lleida province, Catalonia, Spain

    

    After maneuvering near the Sicoris, Caesar personally followed the retreating Pompeian army as their position collapsed. The action occurred during the retreat from Ilerda; exact position shifted daily, so coordinates are representative.

34. Reaches the army before Ilerda

    0049-01-01 BC · Lleida, Catalonia, Spain

    

    Caesar joined his forces in northeastern Spain and took personal command of operations against Afranius and Petreius around Ilerda. The surrounding passage identifies the camp as the Roman position before Ilerda; coordinates mark modern Lleida.

35. Returns to Rome during the civil war

    0049-01-01 BC · Rome, Italy

    

    After Pompey's evacuation of Italy, Caesar returned to Rome and convened the Senate before campaigning in Spain.

36. Arrives at Alexandria

    0048-01-01 BC · Alexandria, Egypt

    

    Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt, learned of his murder, and became entangled in the Alexandrian dynastic conflict.

37. Crosses into Macedonia against Pompey

    0048-01-01 BC · Macedonia, Greece

    

    After returning to Italy and then crossing the Adriatic, Caesar entered Macedonia to renew the campaign against Pompey. The source names Macedonia broadly; coordinates are representative.

38. Defeats Pompey at Pharsalus

    0048-01-01 BC · Pharsalus battlefield, Thessaly, Greece

    

    Caesar won the decisive battle of the civil war in Thessaly, destroying Pompey's field army and forcing him to flee. Exact battlefield placement within the Pharsalus plain remains debated; coordinates are representative.

39. Operates around Dyrrhachium

    0048-01-01 BC · Durrës, Albania

    

    Caesar attempted to contain Pompey's larger army near Dyrrhachium before suffering a serious reverse and withdrawing eastward. The quote establishes the prolonged blockade; Dyrrhachium is modern Durrës.

40. Defeats Pharnaces near Zela

    0047-01-01 BC · Zela, Zile, Turkey

    

    Caesar moved rapidly through Asia Minor and defeated Pharnaces II in the campaign associated with the phrase veni, vidi, vici.

41. Leaves Egypt for Syria

    0047-01-01 BC · Syria

    

    After victory in the Alexandrian War and settlement of Cleopatra on the throne, Caesar departed Egypt for Syria. The source supports the region but not a specific Syrian city; coordinates are representative.

42. Returns through Asia Minor toward Italy

    0047-01-01 BC · Bithynia, Turkey

    

    After Zela Caesar traveled back through Galatia and Bithynia and then returned to Italy to deal with political and military problems. This is a regional transit card; coordinates are representative of Bithynia.

43. Campaigns in Africa and defeats the Pompeians

    0046-01-01 BC · Thapsus, Tunisia

    

    Caesar crossed to Roman Africa to destroy the remaining Pompeian coalition led by Scipio and supported by King Juba. Ancient Thapsus is generally placed near modern Ras Dimass/Bekalta; coordinates are representative.

44. Celebrates triumphs in Rome

    0046-01-01 BC · Rome, Italy

    

    Back from Africa, Caesar celebrated multiple triumphs and staged large public entertainments in Rome.

45. Fights at Munda

    0045-01-01 BC · Munda battlefield, Andalusia, Spain

    

    Caesar won the hard-fought battle of Munda, breaking the last major organized Pompeian resistance in Spain. Munda's exact battlefield location remains disputed; coordinates are a representative point in the traditional central Andalusian search area.

46. Marches to Spain for the final civil-war campaign

    0045-01-01 BC · Hispania, Spain

    

    Caesar left Rome for Spain to confront the younger Pompey and the last major republican field army. The source supports Spain broadly; coordinates are representative.

47. Returns to Rome after Spain

    0045-01-01 BC · Rome, Italy

    

    After the Spanish campaign Caesar returned to Rome as undisputed ruler and prepared reforms and a planned Parthian campaign. The source gives September 45 BC; month precision is not used because the chronology format for BC dates is kept year-level throughout.

48. Dines at Lepidus' house on the eve of the assassination

    0044-01-01 BC · Rome, Italy

    

    The night before his murder Caesar dined at Marcus Lepidus' house, where a conversation turned to the best kind of death. The exact location of Lepidus' house is not securely identified; coordinates represent central Rome.

49. Watches the Lupercalia from the Rostra

    0044-01-01 BC · Rostra, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

    

    At the Lupercalia Caesar sat on the Rostra in triumphal dress while Antony publicly offered him a diadem, which Caesar rejected. The event occurred at the Lupercalia in February 44 BC; the ancient-source quotation does not itself provide a day.

50. Assassinated at the Curia of Pompey

    0044-03-15 BC · Curia of Pompey, Largo di Torre Argentina, Rome, Italy

    

    On the Ides of March Caesar went to the Senate meeting in Pompey's complex and was killed by a group of conspirators. The Senate was meeting in the Curia of Pompey; coordinates mark the remains within Largo di Torre Argentina.