According to an unlikely legend, Gaius Julius Caesar was born by Caesarean section to Aurelia and Gaius Julius Caesar, a praetor, on July 13, 100 BCE. His father died when Caesar was 16 years old, and it was his mother Aurelia, who proved to be quite influential in his life. Caesar's family was part of Rome's original aristocracy, called patricians, although they were not rich or particularly influential. At the time of Caesar's birth, the number of patricians was small, and their status no longer provided political advantage. After his father's death, he was betrothed and possibly married a wealthy young woman, Cossutia. This betrothal/marriage was soon broken off, and at age 18 he married Cornelia, daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna in 84 BCE. She later bore him his only legitimate child, a daughter, Julia. When the Optimate dictator, Sulla, an enemy of the family, ordered Caesar to divorce her, Caesar refused. Sulla listed him among those to be executed, and Caesar went into hiding. Caesar's powerful friends and relatives eventually got him a pardon. …
