285. His Invasion of England. The Britons were kinfolk of the Gauls and had sent them help in the fight against Caesar. The Britons were also half savage, and Caesar resolved to make them feel the power of Rome. But Caesar found the Britons ready for him when his ships tried to land his soldiers. The Britons, though bravely fighting for native land, were finally defeated.
Caesar made two invasions into England, but when his soldiers were needed at home, he withdrew.
JULIUS CAESAR
Trouble at home
286. He Crosses the Rubicon. There were other great generals in Rome and they now became jealous of Caesar's many victories and of his popularity. They prepared to punish him. But Caesar was too quick for them. He marched his army rapidly into Italy until he reached a little stream called the Rubicon. To cross this stream meant war—victory or defeat. He stood awhile—so the story runs—in deep study. "The die is cast," said Caesar, and plunged into its waters.
287. Caesar the Ruler of Rome. Caesar's enemies fled from Rome, so quickly did he come. He now held the great city in his hands. He followed his enemies and defeated them in a great battle. Other armies were raised against him, but he was the final victor. He sent a famous dispatch to Rome: "I came, I saw, I conquered." Julius Caesar was now master of the civilized world.
The plot against Caesar
But in ruling the world Caesar had changed Rome from a republic into an empire. Many good Roman nobles could never forget that fact. Caesar planned to give Rome a good government. He was in many ways a wise ruler. Still many people could not forgive him. So those who believed Rome should still be a republic and others who were merely jealous of him, planned to kill him. As he came into the Senate Hall one day they stabbed him.
But the death of Rome's greatest man did not set her free. Another and a worse tyrant ruled Rome.