Julius Caesar was born in Rome on July 12 or 13, in the year 100 B.C. His father Gaius Caesar died when Caesar was 16 years old, and it was his mother Aurelia who proved to be quite influential in his life. Caesar's family was part of Rome's original aristocracy, called patricians, although they were not rich or particularly influential. At the time of Caesar's birth, the number of patricians was small, and their status no longer provided political advantage. In 86 B.C., Caesar was appointed flamen dialis with the help of his uncle by marriage, Gaius Marius. …