Julius Caesar had an influence on the world that lasted many centuries. Despite this, most people know him best from Shakespeare's famous play.

The real Caesar was much weirder and much wilder than any play could describe, though. Let's take a closer look at the REAL Julius Ceasar!

1

Julius Ceasar's only biological son, Caesarion, was the last Pharaoh of Egypt.

-u/White___Velvet

https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/search/?q=Julius%20Ceasar&restrict_sr=1&sr_nsfw=

2

Julius Ceasar was once kidnapped by pirates. Insulted by the low ransom they demanded, he insisted they raise it. He also promised to crucify them once he was freed; the pirates took this as a joke, but Ceasar returned with a naval fleet and crucified them.

-deleted user

3

Julius Ceasar's last words, according to historian Seutonius, were not "Et tu, Brute" but "Kai su, teknon", which means "You too, my child?"

-deleted user

4

Caesar Salad is named after a guy in Mexico, not a Roman Emperor.

-u/SatinHandyWipe

5

The Romans published a daily gazette called the Acta Diurna. It contained major events, births and deaths. It was either inscribed in stone or metal or painted in black on white walls called Albums. This practice was initiated by Julius Caesar and lasted from 59 BC to 222 AD.

-u/piponwa

6

During Julius Caesar's siege of a Gallic fort, the Romans dug tunnels under the spring that served as the fort's water supply. The defenders, believing that the spring drying up was a sign from the gods, surrendered. Caesar spared their lives, but had their hands cut off.

-u/lordpond

7

Between 43 and 42 BC, a commemorative coin was produced to celebrate the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15th, 44 BC. Marcus Brutus is minted on the heads side, while the tails side has a pileus cap between two daggers.

-u/herpty_derpty

8

July is named after Julius Caesar and August is named after Augustus.

-u/CButler19

9

Not long after Julius Caesar was assassinated, a comet shone for seven successive days. This signified Julius Caesar's ascension to Godhood, and propaganda for Caesar's nephew. The comet was described as: "To make that soul a star that burns forever, Above the Forum and the gates of Rome."

-u/Demigod787

10

Julius Caesar outlawed private vehicle use during the first 10 hours of daytime to combat traffic.

-u/vd772

11

Julius Caesar insulted Juba, the future king of Numidia, by pulling on his beard during a trial. Juba avenged himself years later by allying Pompey and brutally slaughtering a Caesarean army.

-u/zardogo

12

During Sulla's "Constitutional Reformation" period of Rome, in which countless people were executed according to his spastic decrees, Sulla agreed to spare a young Julius Caesar, though he expressed misgivings about a return to Marian chaos. "There are many Mariuses in this fellow Caesar."

-u/kevlarbuns

13

Julius Caesar had a comb-over. (Reported by famous Roman historian Suetonius in section 45 of his biography of Julius Caesar written in 121 AD.)

-u/TelescopiumHerscheli

14

The first recorded autopsy was performed in 44 B.C. on Julius Caesar to determine which of the 23 stab wounds he received had killed him. (It was a chest wound that severed his aorta.)

-u/expat_mel

15

Julius Caesar was arguing with Cato in the senate. A messenger delivered a note to Caesar. Cato told Caesar to read it aloud. Caesar handed the note to Cato to read. The note was actually a love letter from Cato’s sister, who was madly in love with Caesar. Cato said, "Keep it you drunk."

-u/EliasVeturias

16

Julius Caesar was "slut shamed" for an alleged sexual relationship with King Nicomedes Bithynia. Not because it was of a homosexual nature, but because Caesar was allegedly the receptive partner. The accusation may have been a political smear, but it bothered Caesar for the rest of his life.

-u/purpleguitar1984

17

The Gallic wars of Julius Caesar killed 1,000,000 Celts, 430,000 Germanics, and enslaved over 1,000,000 Celts. Only 30,000 Romans died.

-u/JustAManFromThePast

18

When Julius Caesar died, he left today's equivalent of about $270 to each and every Roman citizen.

-u/Yorpel_Chinderbapple

19

Leap days were actually put into use since 46 BC by Julius Caesar after him personally consulting Greek astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria for the fact that one year was slightly longer than 365 days and if they continued with the existing calendar, July would eventually fall on winter.

-u/JaxandtheStick

20

The only firsthand, early historical account we have of the Druids is that of none other than Julius Caesar.

-u/World-Tight

21

Julius Caesar is named after the cesarean section, not the other way around. Caesar's ancestor got that last name because he was "ab utero caeso" (lit. "cut from the womb"). Also, the story that Julius was born via C-section is a myth.

-u/palmfranz

22

An archaeological site near Ebbsfleet containing iron weapons (a javelin included) and battle wounded bones marks the location where Julius Caesar and his troops landed and encamped in Britain around 54 BC, the first archaeological site revealing evidence of Caesar's invasion of Britain.

-deleted user

23

Julius Caesar almost started his career as a priest, which would have forbidden him from touching a horse, sleeping one night outside of Rome, or looking upon an army.

-u/Miner_Guyer

24

Julius Caesar likely had epilepsy, with four documented seizures: 1) in the Senate while being offered the Emperor’s Crown, 2) while listening to an oration by Cicero, and in military campaigns in 3) North Africa and 4) Corduba, Spain. Caesar won both battles despite his seizures.

-u/ladyem8

25

The site where Julius Caesar was assassinated by the Roman senate in 44 BC is now a no-kill shelter for homeless cats.

-u/sicknic