It was much before the eventful times of emperors such as Augus­tus, Caligula, Marcus Aurelias, Com­modus and Nero. Rome was still a Re­public. Marred by corruption and governance issues, the Repub­lic had started to come apart at the seams. It was much before Rome became an empire when the son of a noble named Julius Caesar started a career in the army, on the losing side of a civ­il war. The young man had a dream. He was brave, skillful, intelligent and driven. Soon he was able to build his reputation as a fearless military leader. He wanted to become rich and power­ful and be the Consul. The Consul, be­ing the supreme leader in Rome, used to lead the all-powerful Senate in run­ning the affairs of the Republic. He was treading the journey of success- quiet­ly but surely.

According to historians like Plutar­ch and Cassius Dio, side by side, Caesar used his charms and power to lure any­one and everyone who could be of any help in fulfilling his political dreams. Servilia was perhaps the most influen­tial woman of that time. Caesar’s inti­mate relationship with Servilia surfaced when she was still married. Some main­tain that Servilia saw in Caesar a future for her son and got involved with him after the death of her second husband. One of the Senators who planned and executed Caesar’s assassination, Marcus Junius Brutus, was Servilia’s son.

The rivalry between the two aspi­rant candidates for the post of Consul - General Pompey and General Crassus, provided Caesar the opportunity he was looking for to enter the corridors of power. It was the time when a slave cum gladiator Spartacus had revolt­ed against the Roman elite and was quickly becoming a threat to the Re­public. With Caesar’s help, Crassus........

© The Nation