Caesar’s Egypt

Julius Caesar’s arrival in Egypt in 48 B.C. marked a turning point in the history of the ancient world, intertwining Rome’s fate with that of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. His involvement was not merely a matter of conquest but of political intrigue, romance, and a struggle for supremacy that would shape the future of Egypt and Rome alike.

Caesar’s presence in Egypt was precipitated by the Roman civil war, in which he pursued his great rival, Pompey the Great, across the Mediterranean. Pompey sought refuge in Egypt, only to be treacherously murdered upon his arrival, an act intended to curry favour with Caesar. Instead, Caesar was appalled by the brutal assassination of his former ally, an event that placed him at odds with Egypt’s ruling court.

At this time, Egypt was embroiled in its own dynastic turmoil, with Cleopatra VII and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, locked in a struggle for power. Cleopatra, exiled by her brother’s advisors, saw in Caesar an opportunity to reclaim her throne. In one of history’s most legendary episodes, she is said to have been smuggled into Caesar’s presence, concealed within a roll of carpet or linen. Her intelligence, political acumen, and charm captivated the Roman general, who soon aligned himself with her cause.

The ensuing Alexandrian War saw Caesar and Cleopatra’s forces pitted against Ptolemy XIII’s supporters. During the conflict, in an effort to maintain control of the city, Caesar set fire to Egyptian ships in Alexandria’s harbour. The flames spread to the city itself, resulting in the destruction of part of the Great Library of Alexandria, a cultural catastrophe that remains infamous in history. After months of battle, Ptolemy XIII met his demise, reportedly drowning in the Nile while attempting to flee. With her rival vanquished, Cleopatra was restored to the throne, nominally sharing power with her youngest brother, Ptolemy XIV, though she was the true ruler of Egypt.

The Lure of Egypt

Cleopatra and Caesar’s alliance extended beyond the battlefield. The two became lovers, and in 47 B.C., Cleopatra bore a son, Ptolemy XV—commonly known as Caesarion, or “Little Caesar.” While the extent of Caesar’s recognition of his paternity remains a matter of debate, the child’s very existence reinforced Cleopatra’s political aspirations and her connection to Rome. However, contrary to some later romanticised accounts, there is no evidence that Caesar ever formally married Cleopatra; Roman law did not recognise marriages with foreigners, and he remained legally married to Calpurnia in Rome.

Though they were never officially wed, Caesar and Cleopatra’s relationship was more than a mere political alliance—it was a union of ambition and admiration. Cleopatra saw in Caesar not only a powerful protector, but also a figure through whom she could legitimise her rule. Likewise, Caesar was captivated by Cleopatra’s intellect and charisma, finding in her a queen who embodied both the exotic allure of the East and the shrewdness of a stateswoman. Their love affair, however, was shadowed by the demands of empire; while Cleopatra may have envisioned herself as the consort of Rome’s greatest leader, Caesar’s obligations in Rome—and his ultimate assassination—brought their romance to an abrupt and tragic end.

Caesar lingered in Egypt for a time, indulging in a voyage along the Nile with Cleopatra, yet his duties in Rome called him away. She later travelled to Rome in his wake, residing there until his assassination in 44 B.C. With Caesar’s death at the hands of conspirators on the Ides of March, Cleopatra’s fortunes shifted, and her focus turned to Mark Antony, setting the stage for another fateful chapter in Egypt’s entanglement with Rome.

During his time in Egypt, Caesar initiated several construction projects to strengthen his authority and leave a lasting imprint on the region. Most notably, he ordered the expansion of the Temple of Isis in Philae, a centre of worship dedicated to the revered Egyptian goddess. This act, along with his reverence for Egyptian deities, reinforced his image as a ruler who respected the traditions of the land he influenced. Following his death, Caesar himself was deified in Rome, with temples built in his honour, and his status as Divus Julius further cemented his legacy.

Caesar’s intervention in Egypt was not merely an episode of personal ambition, but a moment that foreshadowed Egypt’s eventual fate. His actions secured Roman influence over the Ptolemaic kingdom, and though Cleopatra struggled to maintain its independence, the fall of Egypt to Octavian in 30 B.C. would complete the process Caesar had inadvertently begun.

Thus, Julius Caesar’s relationship with Egypt was one of power and passion, a defining moment in the twilight of the ancient world, where the fates of two great civilisations became irrevocably intertwined.

Ides of March

Julius Caesar was assassinated on 15 March 44 B.C., known as the Ides of March, by a group of Roman senators who feared he sought to make himself king. He was stabbed 23 times in the Theatre of Pompey, with his friend Brutus among the conspirators. His last words are often quoted as “Et tu, Brute?” though ancient sources differ. His death plunged Rome into chaos, leading to the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.

Following his death, Cleopatra, who had been in Rome at the time, fled back to Egypt with their son, Caesarion. She was devastated by his murder, as he had been her powerful ally and lover. She later aligned herself with Mark Antony, possibly in a romantic whirlwind, as well as an attempt to maintain her rule and Egypt’s independence.

Caesar’s cremation took place in the Roman Forum. The site of Caesar’s funeral pyre became a place of veneration, and later, the Temple of Caesar (Temple of Divus Iulius) was built there by Augustus. Today, visitors to the Roman Forum can see the remains of this temple, where people still leave flowers in his honour.