Explore highlights Marble portrait of Julius Caesar  Bust, c
AD50, from the Sanctuary of Athena in Priene, perhaps Julius
Caesar   Height: 39.500 cm  GR 1870.3-20.201 (Sculpture 1152)
Room 70: Roman Empire      Marble portrait of Julius Caesar
Roman, around AD 50     From the Sanctuary of Athena in Priene,
modern Turkey      The head has been burnt and is badly damaged,
with the proper right side and back of the head missing. The
features of the portrait, in particular the hair and the
profile, correspond very closely to those on other images of
Julius Caesar. Caesar, one of Rome's most capable generals, as
demonstrated by his conquest of Gaul in the 50s BC, became
embroiled in the civil strife that accompanied the
disintegration of the Roman Republic. In 48 BC he crossed the
River Rubicon, took Rome and effectively became the first
citizen. His presumed desire to abandon the Republic as a form
of government and return to monarchy led to his assassination in
44 BC. The ensuing civil wars culminated in t