How did Julius Caesar begin his political career in Rome?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Statue of Julius Caesar in Roman military attire stands in front of a domed building in Rome, Italy, with a clear blue sky in the background. — Julius Caesar Julius Caesar, bronze sculpture in Rome.

Julius Caesar began his political career in Rome in 78 BCE, following the death of the dictator Sulla. He entered the political arena in the conventional manner by serving as a prosecuting advocate, specifically targeting prominent Sullan counter-revolutionaries.1

Prior to this, Caesar had already aligned himself with the radical, anti-nobility party by marrying Cornelia, the daughter of Lucius Cornelius Cinna, an associate of Gaius Marius. This political stance led to conflict with Sulla, forcing Caesar to leave Italy for a time to perform military service in Asia and Cilicia.1

After returning to Rome and establishing himself as an advocate, Caesar’s early career progression included:

Military and Religious Roles: He was appointed to the college of pontifices and secured an elective military tribuneship.1
Quaestorship: In 69 or 68 BCE, he was elected quaestor, marking his first official step on the Roman political ladder, which he served in Farther Spain.1
Aedileship: He was elected a curule aedile for 65 BCE, during which he gained notoriety for lavish public spending.1