What did Caesar Look like? History & Facial Reconstructions of Julius Caesar | Part 1 | Royalty Now

Link to Part 2:    • What did Caesar Look Like? | Part 2 |...  

0:00 A Word from our Sponsor
1:19 Early Life & Exile
7:44 Return to Rome & Life in his 20s
11:02 Captured by Pirates
12:49 Rise to Power
21:03 What did Caesar Look Like
23:03 Facial Reconstructions Revealed

The Rise of Julius Caesar - Part 1

Hello everyone and welcome back to Royalty Now, where we bring you face to face with figures from the past, and talk about their history.

Julius Caesar is a legendary name that has been both idolized and hated throughout the centuries. But who was he really? A tyrant? A savior? Or just a man?

His story is one of intense drama, endless ambition, utter brilliance, and brutal betrayal.

Today, we’ll talk about the life of a young Julius Caesar, and then reveal what he may have looked like in the prime of his life.
Gaius Julius Caesar, born on July 12th, 100 BCE, was raised primarily by his mother, Aurelia. Although his family had fallen from grace, young Caesar was told he was destined for greatness. By the time he was born, Rome's Republic was corrupt and ruled by a few powerful senators. He was raised during the time of a tumultuous civil war.
In 84 BCE, Caesar's father died suddenly, making Caesar the head of his household. This allowed him to join the army, where he quickly distinguished himself, earning the Civic Crown for bravery.
Returning to Rome in 78 BCE, Caesar became an advocate and impressed with his oratory skills. He went to Rhodes to study under the famous orator Apollonious Mollo but was captured by pirates. Caesar charmed and mocked them, eventually securing his release by insisting on a higher ransom. After being freed, he hunted down and executed the pirates.
Back in Rome, Caesar joined the College of Pontiffs, meeting influential figures like Crassus and Pompey. He gained popularity through public games, despite incurring massive debts. In 63 BCE, he was elected Pontifex Maximus, a prestigious religious position. Caesar continued to climb the political ladder, eventually allying with Crassus and Pompey to secure his election as Consul in 59 BCE. This alliance allowed him to pass reforms benefiting the common people, furthering his power and ambition.
Despite his early struggles and near-executions, Caesar's ambition, intelligence, and charisma propelled him to become one of Rome's most powerful figures. Yet, his journey was just beginning, with his confidence growing into arrogance and his ambition turning into greed as he sought unparalleled power.

Physical Appearance of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar's appearance has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Roman artistic tradition focused on realism, creating lifelike portraits. The Tusculum bust, discovered in the 1800s, shows a handsome man with strong cheekbones, a wrinkled neck, thinning hair, and a distinctive head shape. This aligns with descriptions by Suetonius, who portrayed Caesar as tall, with fair skin, slender limbs, a full face, piercing dark eyes, and a penchant for distinctive dress.
Other busts, like the Pantelleria and Arles, may better represent a younger Caesar, showing refined artistry and similar features like a strong chin and cheek dimples. By combining these images, a composite portrait of a young Caesar reveals his striking looks and charismatic presence, contributing to his legendary status in Roman history.


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