Caesar, what does the mention of the name make you recall? The great Julius Caesar no doubt. There is more to the name than that. Caesar was actually an imperial title in ancient Rome, as also the name of a patrician Roman family. And undoubtedly, the most illustrious member of the family was Julius Caesar.  Both the titles Caesar and Augustus, which is the Latin word for Majestic have been used by Roman emperors through the ages. 

Augustus and Caesar – the two most well known
Julius Caesar who was undoubtedly the most well known among all the ‘Caesars’ was also a historian. He wrote seven books on the Gallic Wars and a couple on the civil wars, besides penning down other things. Historians agree that Julius Caesar’s conquests changed the course of history by consolidating the Greco-Roman empire during his time, which otherwise would have fallen to barbaric invaders. He found the time to put down in writing his many exploits.

After the murder of Julius Caesar, his sister’s grandson Gaius Octavius took the reins of the Roman Empire. He adopted the name – Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius and later the title Augustus. An efficient ruler, under him every aspect of the Roman Empire saw change for the better. One of the skills Augustus shared with his great uncle was that of writing but none of his writings has survived.

Nero – the last of the family
Remember the adage “Nero fiddled while Rome burnt?” Well this illustrious dynasty did come to an end with his death. Nero was named emperor at the young age of 17 and his life was dogged with controversies on both the personal and political front. Two-thirds of Rome burnt down during his rule and he was at the time absent from Rome. And after him, the title Caesar was retained for Roman rulers. 

Julius Caesar