Gaius Caesar | |||||
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Gaius Caesar
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Born | 20 BC Rome |
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Died | 21 February 4 AD Lycia |
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Burial | Mausoleum of Augustus | ||||
Spouse | Livilla | ||||
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Father |
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Mother | Julia the Elder |
Full name | |
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Birth to adoption: Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa After adoption: Gaius Julius Caesar |
Gaius Caesar (20 BC – 21 February AD 4), formally Gaius Julius Caesar (Latin: Caius Caesar Augustus filius), was the adopted son and heir of Augustus along with his brother Lucius. It was intended that they rule the Roman Empire together.
Gaius was born the son of Augustus' trusted friend and general, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. His name at birth was Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa, but it later changed to Gaius Julius Caesar following his adoption out of the Vipsanii and into the Julii by Augustus. Gaius was adopted together with his brother, Lucius, following his birth in 17 BC.
In 1 BC he was given command of the eastern provinces. During his command, he concluded a peace treaty with King Phraates V of Parthia on an island in the Euphrates. The following year (AD 1) he was made consul. The year after his consulship, his brother Lucius died at Massalia in February. Two years later, Gaius died at Lycia. Though he was married to his second cousin, Livilla, the marriage had no issue.
Gaius was born in Rome in 20 BC to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder. He was apart of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and was related to all the Julio-Claudian emperors. On his mother's side, he was the oldest grandson of emperor Augustus. He was the brother-in-law of Tiberius by his half-sister Vipsania Agrippina, and Claudius by his sister Agrippina the Elder's marriage to Germanicus. Gaius' nephew was the last emperor of the dynasty, Nero, who was Germanicus' son. An annual sacrifice on his birthday was granted in pursuance of a decree.