Julius Caesar Family Tree: The Story Behind Rome's Most-Famous Dictator

Gaius Julius Caesar, born 12 or 13 July 100 BC in Rome, was the Roman general and statesman whose conquest of Gaul, crossing of the Rubicon (49 BC), victory in the Roman Civil War, and dictatorship for life (44 BC) transformed the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire (under his adopted heir Augustus). Assassinated 15 March 44 BC ("the Ides of March") by a conspiracy of senators including Brutus and Cassius.

The Family's Roots: A Patrician Roman Family

The Julii Caesares were a patrician Roman family that traced their descent to Iulus, the son of Aeneas, and through him to the goddess Venus. The family had been prominent for centuries but was not among the wealthiest patrician lines at Caesar's birth.

His Parents

Father: Gaius Julius Caesar (c. 130–85 BC) — praetor; governor of the province of Asia; died suddenly when his son was about 16.

Mother: Aurelia Cotta (c. 120–54 BC) — from the influential Aurelii Cottae family; remained close to her son throughout her life.

His Sisters

Julia Caesaris Major — Caesar's elder sister.

Julia Caesaris Minor (101 BC – 51 BC) — Caesar's younger sister; the grandmother of Augustus (the future Emperor).

His Three Wives

  1. Cornelia Cinna minor (c. 97–69 BC) — daughter of consul L. Cornelius Cinna; Caesar's first wife from 84 BC until her death; he refused to divorce her despite Sulla's order.
  2. Pompeia Sulla — granddaughter of Sulla; Caesar's second wife from 67 to 62 BC (divorced after the Bona Dea scandal: "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion").
  3. Calpurnia Pisonis — daughter of consul L. Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus; Caesar's third wife from 59 BC until his assassination in 44 BC.

His Children

Julia Caesaris (76–54 BC) — daughter with Cornelia; married Pompey the Great in 59 BC (cementing the First Triumvirate); died in childbirth in 54 BC.

Caesarion (Ptolemy XV) (47–30 BC) — son with Cleopatra VII; pharaoh of Egypt; murdered by Augustus shortly after the conquest of Egypt.

His Adopted Heir: Octavian / Augustus

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (63 BC – 14 AD) — Caesar's great-nephew (grandson of his sister Julia Minor); posthumously adopted in Caesar's will (44 BC); became Augustus, the first Roman Emperor.

The Julii Caesares Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Patrician Julii Caesares of Rome.

Father: Gaius Julius Caesar (c. 130–85 BC) — praetor.

Mother: Aurelia Cotta (c. 120–54 BC).

Sisters: Julia Major; Julia Minor (101–51 BC) — grandmother of Augustus.

Wives: Cornelia Cinna (m. 84 BC, died 69 BC); Pompeia Sulla (m. 67 BC, div. 62 BC); Calpurnia Pisonis (m. 59 BC – his death 44 BC).

Children: Julia Caesaris (76–54 BC; wife of Pompey); Caesarion (47–30 BC; with Cleopatra VII).

Adopted Heir: Octavian / Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD) — first Roman Emperor.

Julius Caesar:

  • Born 12 July 100 BC, Rome
  • Sulla's proscription (82 BC): nearly killed; escaped after his mother interceded
  • Military service in Asia and Cilicia; quaestor in Spain
  • Aedile 65 BC; Pontifex Maximus 63 BC
  • Praetor 62 BC; Governor of Hispania Ulterior 61 BC
  • First Triumvirate: with Pompey and Crassus (60 BC)
  • Consul 59 BC
  • Gallic Wars: 58–50 BC (conquest of Gaul)
  • Crossed the Rubicon: 10 January 49 BC; civil war
  • Battle of Pharsalus: 9 August 48 BC (defeated Pompey)
  • Alexandria 48–47 BC: liaison with Cleopatra; son Caesarion born 47 BC
  • Dictator perpetuo: from February 44 BC
  • Assassinated: 15 March 44 BC (Ides of March), Theatre of Pompey, by ~60 senators including Brutus and Cassius
  • Posthumously deified by the Senate (42 BC)
  • His adopted heir Augustus ended the Republic and founded the Empire

What the Julii Caesares Family Story Teaches Us

A patrician father who died when Caesar was 16. A mother who saved his life when Sulla wanted him dead. Two sisters — one whose grandson became the first Roman Emperor. Three marriages. Two children — one married to Pompey, one with Cleopatra. A posthumously adopted heir who continued the dynasty.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Caesar story carries the same lesson. Sometimes the family's most-important continuation is not biological but adoptive. Augustus was Caesar's great-nephew, adopted in the will — and he, not Caesarion, became the heir. Write down who continued the family — biological or chosen. Both kinds of continuation are family entries.

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