Aurelia (mother of Caesar) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aurelia
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Image of Aurelia from Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum (1553)
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| Born | c. 120 BC |
| Died | July 31, 54 BC (aged 65-66) |
| Spouse(s) | Gaius Julius Caesar |
| Children | Julia Major Julia Minor Julius Caesar |
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Aurelia (born around 120 BC – died July 31, 54 BC) was a very important woman in ancient Rome. She was the mother of Julius Caesar, one of the most famous Roman generals and leaders ever. Aurelia was known for her intelligence, good sense, and strong character. She played a big role in raising her famous son.
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Aurelia's Family Background
Aurelia came from a well-known Roman family called the Aurelii Cottae. Her father, Lucius Aurelius Cotta, was a consul in 119 BC. A consul was one of the highest elected officials in the Roman Republic. Her mother, Rutilia, also came from an important family.
Aurelia had three brothers who also became consuls. This shows how powerful and respected her family was in Rome.
Aurelia's Marriage and Children
Aurelia married a man named Gaius Julius Caesar. He was a praetor, which was another important Roman official. Her husband passed away between 85 and 84 BC.
Together, Aurelia and Gaius Julius Caesar had three children:
- Julia Major
- Julia Minor, who became the grandmother of Emperor Augustus
- Gaius Julius Caesar, who grew up to be the famous Roman dictator
Aurelia's Character and Influence
Historians like Tacitus and Plutarch wrote about Aurelia. They saw her as an ideal Roman mother. They praised her for giving her children the best education possible. Aurelia was known for being very smart, independent, and beautiful. People in Rome respected her greatly for her common sense.
Aurelia and her family were very important in her son Julius Caesar's life. His father was often away, so Aurelia was mostly in charge of raising young Caesar.
Protecting Her Son
When Julius Caesar was about 18 years old, a powerful Roman leader named Sulla ordered him to divorce his wife, Cornelia Cinna. Cornelia's father had been an enemy of Sulla. Young Caesar bravely refused to divorce his wife, which put him in great danger from Sulla.
Aurelia stepped in to help her son. She, along with her brother Gaius Aurelius Cotta, spoke up to protect him. Their efforts helped save Julius Caesar from Sulla's anger.
After Cornelia passed away, Aurelia took care of her young granddaughter, Julia. She also managed her son's household affairs.
Aurelia's Legacy
A Roman tribe, or voting district, was named Aurelia in her honor. This shows how important and respected she was in Roman society.
See also
- Women in Ancient Rome
- List of Roman women
