Gaius Julius Caesar (Latin: CAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR, , born: 13 July 100BC 15 March 44BC), usually called Julius Caesar, was a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He is also known as a notable author of Latin prose.

In 60 BC, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed a political alliance that dominated Roman politics for several years. Their attempts to amass power as "Populares" were opposed by the "Optimates" within the Roman Senate, among them Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Cicero. Caesar's victories in the Gallic Wars, completed by 51BC, extended Rome's territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both the Channel and the Rhine, when he built a bridge across the Rhine and crossed the Channel to invade Britain.

These achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing of Pompey, who had realigned himself with the Senate after the death of Crassus in 53BC. With the Gallic Wars concluded, the Senate ordered Caesar to step down from his military command and return to Rome. Caesar refused the order, and instead marked his defiance in 49BC by crossing the Rubicon with the 13th Legion, leaving his province and illegally entering Roman Italy under arms. Civil war resulted, and Caesar's victory in the war put him in an unrivalled position of power and influence.

Answer this series of questions:

1. Name one person in an alliance with Caesar?
2. And another?
3. What was the nickname of this alliance in the Roman Senate?
4. Which group opposed them?
5. Naame one person in the Optimates?
6. And another?
7. Which river did Caesar cross in defiance?
8. When?
9. With whom?
10. What happened then?
11. Who won?
12. When were the Gallic wars completed?
13. Which rivers did Caesar cross in those wars?
14. How did he get across the Rhine>
15. Why did he cross the channel?
16. What did the senate ask him to do after the Gallic wars?
17. When was he born?
18. When did he die?
19. Was he an author?
20. of what?
1. Pompey
2. Crassus
3. Populares
4. Optimates
5. Cato the Younger
6. Cicero
7. Rubicon
8. 49BC
9. the 13th Legion,
10. Civil war
11. Caesar
12. 51BC
13. the English Channel and the Rhine
14. he built a bridge
15. to invade Britain
16. step down from his military command
17. 13 July 100BC
18. 15 March 44BC
19. yes
20. Latin prose