title: The Age of Caesar: Five Roman Lives
author: Plutarch
description: This readers edition of Plutarchs <em>Lives</em> brings to life the captivating personalities and topsy-turvy politics of the late Roman Republic. Fluid and poised, Pamela Menschs translation does a fine job conveying the measured power of Plutarchs prose. The introductionauthored by one of the most distinguished ancient historians of her generationmasterfully sets the scene, and James Romms notes will be an invaluable resource for readers.<br /> - <strong>Daniel Padilla Peralta, author of <em>Undocumented</em></strong><br /><br />The formidable duo of Romm &amp; Mensch have pulled it off againaccomplishing with ease the tricky feat of making some of the best biographies from the best biographer of the ancient Roman world newly accessible in fresh, accurate, intelligently commented translations to a readership extending well beyond the usual Classicist suspects.<br /> - <strong>Paul Cartledge, author of <em>Thermopylae: The Battle that Changed the World</em></strong><br /><br /><em>The Age of Caesar</em> is a fine translation of Plutarchs biographies of five of the most tragic figures in ancient history. This will become the new standard.<br /> - <strong>Ian Morris, author of <em>War! What Is It Good For?</em></strong>
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  THE CIVIL WAR
  
  ADVISORY EDITOR: BETTY RADICE
  
  GAIUS JULIUS CAESAR was born in 100 B.C. into an ancient patrician family. He
  was an adolescent during the period of the proscription of Marius (his
  father’s brother-in-law), die dictatorship of Sulla and the early career of
  Pompey. His family were traditionally against the patrician senatorial
  oligarchy and Caesar followed suit. He was imprisoned for a short time by
  Sulla, but managed to maintain good relations with the nobles for ten years
  after his release: he was even co-opted into the college of priests (73 B.C.).
  During die sixties, he advanced through die senatorial _cursus_ to the rank of
  praetor, while supporting the ‘popular’ side in politics. In 60 B.C. he formed
  with Pompey and Crassus the combination known to us as die ‘first triumvirate’
  to overcome conservative senatorial opposition, and he was elected consul for
  59 B.C. He was men created governor to Transalpine Gaul, a task which was to
  occupy h