A POLYCHROME MARBLE BUST OF JULIUS CAESAR (100 BC - 44 BC) 19TH CENTURY White marble with Giallo Antico toga, on a rosso antico socle 28cm high Provenance: The Simon Neal Collection Julius Caesar was one of Republican Rome's most talented generals. His armies were loyal and followed him on many successful campaigns. After conquering Gaul and starting a drive against Britain he returned to Rome, where his success was viewed with increasing suspicion. Having defeated his rival Pompey, he clashed with the strongly Republican senate as he tried to cement his political strength into an absolute monarchy. A group of senators, led by Cassius and Brutus, assassinated Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. This brought about the final round of civil wars that ended the Roman Republic and led to the elevation of Octavian as Augustus, the first Emperor.