Julius Caesar was born in 100 BCE to a distinguished, although not politically prominent, patrician family. During his praetorship (62 BCE) and consulship (59 BCE) Caesar espoused positions and causes which excited great passion. He generated the military forces and political clout which made him, first, a conqueror of the territory from Northern Italy to the far side of the English Channel, then a contender for world dominion in 49 BCE.