The term started to get its modern negative meaning with Cornelius Sulla 's ascension to the dictatorship following Sulla 's second civil war , making himself the first Dictator in Rome in more than a century ( during which the office was ostensibly abolished ) as well as '' de facto '' eliminating the time limit and need of senatorial acclamation . He avoided a major constitutional crisis by resigning the office after about one year , dying a few years later . Julius Caesar followed Sulla 's example in 49 BC and in February 44 BC was proclaimed '' Dictator perpetuo '' , " Dictator in perpetuity " , officially doing away with any limitations on his power , which he kept until his assassination the following month
his assassination
Assassination of Julius Caesar
Dictator