Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Caesar's life from birth through assassination, historian Goldsworthy covers not only Caesar's accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator, but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and a rebel condemned by his own country. Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar's character, places his subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C., and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later.--From publisher description.

pt. 1. The rise to the consulship, 100-59 BC. -- Caesar's world -- Caesar's childhood -- The first dictator -- The young Caesar -- Candidate -- Conspiracy -- Scandal -- Consul -- pt. 2. Proconsul, 58-50 BC. -- Gaul -- Migrants and mercenaries : the first campaigns, 58 BC -- "The bravest of the Gaulish peoples" : the Belgae, 57 BC -- Politics and war : the conference of Luca -- "Over the waters" : the British and German expeditions, 55-54 BC -- Rebellion, disaster and vengeance -- The man and the hour : Vercingetorix and the great revolt, 52 BC -- "All Gaul is conquered" -- pt. 3. Civil war and dictatorship, 49-44 BC. -- The road to the Rubicon -- Blitzkrieg : Italy and Spain, winter-autumn, 49 BC -- Macedonia, November 49-August 48 BC -- Cleopatra, Egypt and the East, autumn 48-summer 47 BC -- Africa, September 47-June 46 BC -- Dictator, 46-44 BC -- The Ides of March -- Epilogue -- Chronology.