Julius Caesar 49-48 BC. Military mint travelling with Caesar in North Africa.
Fourreè Denarius

18 mm, 1,63 g

Elephant advancing right, trampling on serpent; CAESAR in exergue / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis (surmounted by wolf's head), and apex.

Nearly Very Fine

Crawford 443/1; RSC 49.

Julius Caesar, born Gaius Julius Caesar in 100 BC, was one of Rome's most famous and influential leaders. He was a military general, statesman, and key figure in the events that led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. Caesar's early career saw him climb the political ladder, holding various offices such as quaestor, aedile, and praetor, and he became widely known for his military conquests, particularly in Gaul (modern-day France and Belgium), which he fully subjugated during his campaigns from 58 to 50 BC. Caesar's growing power and influence sparked fear and jealousy among many in the Roman Senate, especially figures like Pompey the Great, once his ally, who became his rival. This tension led to the outbreak of a civil war in 49 BC when Caesar famously crossed the Rubicon River with his army, a direct challenge to the Senate's authority, signaling the start of the conflict. After emerging victorious in the civil war, Caesar assumed control as a dictator, eventually being named "dictator for life" in 44 BC. During his rule, Caesar enacted a series of significant reforms, including the Julian calendar's introduction, which more closely aligned the calendar year with the solar year. However, his concentration of power and the perception that he aimed to establish a monarchy led to his assassination on the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC. A group of senators, including his close friend Brutus, conspired and stabbed him to death in the Senate, an event that sent shockwaves through Rome. Caesar's assassination led to another series of civil wars, ultimately resulting in the rise of his adopted heir, Octavian (later known as Augustus), and the transition of Rome from Republic to Empire. Julius Caesar's legacy is profound, with his life and death profoundly shaping Roman history and leaving an indelible mark on the Western world. His name, "Caesar," became synonymous with rulership, giving rise to titles like "Kaiser" in Germany and "Tsar" in Russia.