Upon his return to Rome, Pompey struck up a political friendship with the young military genius, Julius
Caesar. The elder Pliny described Caesar as being "most dynamic" in personality and
character. He was open, frank, and popular with troops. Another chronicler says
of him: "He was skillful with sword and horse, and had amazing powers of
physical endurance. He always was at the head of his army more often walking than
riding, and went bareheaded both in sun and rain. When he encountered rivers too
deep for wading, he would either swim or propel himself across on an inflated
skin." Caesar - SEUTONIUS. But Pompey's alliance with Caesar was doomed. By
intrigue and plot, the corrupt Roman Senate turned the 2 young leaders against
each other. Pompey fled Rome; Caesar followed in pursuit. With the help of
Antipater, an Idumean Jew, Caesar routed Pompey and his forces. Returning to Rome, Caesar had
Antipater appointed administrator of Judea. Next, by astute political arm-twisting, Caesar took control of the Roman
Senate. By 44 B.C., he was Rome's undisputed boss.
March 15, 44 B.C. dawned like any other day in ancient Rome. It was 3 days before Caesar's trip to the East, and he had an appointment with the Senate in Pompey's theater. (The Senate s meeting hall was being repaired.)
When Caesar arrived, he was greeted politely. Then something happened. A crowd of senators rushed upon Caesar. Seconds later, 23 daggers plunged into his body. A stunned Caesar slumped in a pool of blood at the foot of Pompey's statue. In his hand, according to one report, was a note warning him of the plot. Someone had handed it to him on his way to the theater, but he had neglected to read it.
Caesar became a name-title given to all the Roman emperors after Julius Caesar. The Caesar's mentioned in the gospels are Augustus (Lk 2:1) and Tiberius (Lk 3:1; 20:22).