Rome

Gaius Julius Caesar is a historical figure who features as a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Irish actor Ciarán Hinds. The real Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general who seized control of the Roman government in 45 BC and laid the political foundations for the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire.

Comparisons with the historical Julius Caesar

Despite having little physical resemblance to any known representations of the historical Caesar who was balding and blond, the series aims to present him in a authentic fashion (as opposed to an accurate one).

The story starts in 52 BC as Caesar receives news of his daughter Julia's death; historically, Julia died in 54 BC. Additionally, no mention is made in Rome to his mother Aurelia, who died months after Julia. There is nothing in the historical sources to suggest that his affair with Servilia Caepionis ended, as is depicted in the series.

Caesarion was likely the son of Cleopatra and Caesar. The events of the episode Caesarion insinuate that he may actually have been fathered by soldier Titus Pullo. Though Caesar is shown presenting his newborn son to his army at the end of this episode, historically Caesar was already back in Rome by the time Caesarion was born.