who became the wife of Marius. Gaius Julius held no higher office than
Praetor. He was married to Aurelia, a stately woman of simple and
severe tastes. Their son Gaius was born on July 12th, 100.

During Cinna's consulship (86), Caesar is first mentioned as a youth,
tall, slight, handsome, with dark, piercing eyes, sallow complexion,
and features refined and intellectual. The bloody scenes attending the
proscription of his uncle Marius, to whose party his father belonged,
must have made a deep impression upon him. One of his most intimate
companions was CICERO, who was six years his senior.

Marius had seen in his nephew the materials which make great men, and
determined to help him to promotion. He made him, when scarcely
fifteen, a priest of Jupiter (_flamen dialis_), which sacred
office carried with it a handsome income.

Shortly after the death of his father, in 84, Caesar married Cornelia,
the daughter of Cinna. By this marriage he was connected more closely
with the popular party, whose champion he remained.

When Sulla returned to Rome from his Eastern campaign, Caesar was but
eighteen. In the wholesale murders that followed, his party was
ruined, his nearest friends dispersed or killed. He himself was yet
free from proscription, for Sulla wished to win such a promising young
man to his own side. He made proposals that Caesar divorce his wife
and marry one whom he might select. Caesar refused. Force was then
tried. His priesthood was taken from him, and his wife's dowry. His
estate was confiscated, and, when this had no effect, he was himself
declared an outlaw, and a price was set on his head. Influential
friends, however, interceded in his behalf, and the Dictator was