Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC to a noble Roman family with little wealth or power. He rose through the ranks politically, forming alliances that helped his career but also made enemies. In 49 BC, civil war broke out between Caesar and Pompey, his former ally, after Pompey joined the opposition. Caesar defeated Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. He then expanded Roman rule through military campaigns before being assassinated by a group of conspirators in 44 BC at a Senate meeting.