 | After his education, Julius Caesar was expected to assume a lower position in Roman politics. However, he had other ambitions. He had realized that money was the key to Roman politics. When his father died, Caesar was free to follow his ambitions and did not have to follow his father’s expectations that he take up a modest position in politics. First, Caesar got connections with important families. He married Cornelia, the daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna (a man who supported Gaius Marius) in 84 BCE. However, the man in charge of Rome at this time, Sulla (became consul in 88 BCE), was angry at Julius for making connections with Gaius Marius supporters as Sulla and Gaius Marius were rivals. He ordered Julius to divorce Cornelia. Julius refused and it appears that he was arrested but spared by Sulla. Caesar decided to leave Rome, however, and let things settle down. |
