[1][2][3] Within that framework, during his fifty-six-year lifetime, he fulfilled many roles: "including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator – perhaps even a god – as well as a husband, father, lover and adulterer.

"[5] One underlying structure of this book is to take the reader on a journey that follows "the many gambles, strange turns, and unlikely incidents in Caesar's career.

[2] Additionally, a bibliography of scholarly commentary, published during our more modern age, regarding Julius Caesar and ancient Rome during his lifetime, is also in the back of the book.

[2][6][7] Adrian Goldsworthy attended St John's College, Oxford University, where he received a Ph.D. in Literae Humaniores (Ancient History) in 1994.

His first book, The Roman Army at War, 100 BC – AD 200, was published in 1996 and based on his Ph.D. thesis entitled The Roman Army as a fighting force, 100 BC – AD 200.