As a statesman and brilliant general, Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) expanded the Roman Republic through a series of successful battles across Europe before declaring himself dictator for life. ••• Caesar wielded enormous political power. As dictator he could veto the Senate, he controlled the armies of Rome and was the first Roman to be officially deified (given the status of a god). ••• Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of Senators led by Brutus and Cassius on the Ides of March (15) 44 BC. He was stabbed to death multiple times. ••• The symbolism of the elephant trampling the snake is variously interpreted as either being an allegory of the victory of good over evil, or perhaps as a reference to Caesar's victories in Gaul (described in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico). • •