Julius Caesar was born in a Roman family of noble lineage; the Julii Caesares were believed to be the descendants of the legendary Trojan hero Aeneas, who was considered to be the son of the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Julius Caesar's father was Gaius Julius Caesar, the elder; his father attained the rank of praetor (magistrate or commander).
His mother, Aurelia Cottae too came from an important family several members of whom having served as consuls in the Roman Republic. The Julii Caesares though of aristocratic lineage were not rich and it was only in the times of Julius's father that the family fortunes started looking up. Julius Caesar's uncle Gaius Marius an influential figure in Roman politics then helped shape the destiny of young Julius who married the daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna an ally of Marius, and later became a priest for a brief period.
His mother, Aurelia Cottae too came from an important family several members of whom having served as consuls in the Roman Republic. The Julii Caesares though of aristocratic lineage were not rich and it was only in the times of Julius's father that the family fortunes started looking up. Julius Caesar's uncle Gaius Marius an influential figure in Roman politics then helped shape the destiny of young Julius who married the daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna an ally of Marius, and later became a priest for a brief period.
