Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC into a noble Roman family with little wealth or power. He rose through the ranks politically, forming alliances that helped him gain power, including becoming part of the first triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. However, conflicts arose and Caesar's victory over Pompey in 48 BC led to civil war. At the height of his power as dictator, Caesar was assassinated by a group of conspirators in the Senate in 44 BC.