Gaius Julius Caesar Strabo "Vopiscus" (c. 131 – 87 BC) was the younger son of Lucius Julius Caesar and his wife Popillia, and younger brother of Lucius Julius Caesar, consul in 90 BC. His

cognomen A ''cognomen'' (; plural ''cognomina''; from ''con-'' "together with" and ''(g)nomen'' "name") was the third name of a citizen of ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. Initially, it was a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became here ...

'Strabo' indicates he was possibly cross-eyed, and the nickname ' Vopiscus' suggests he was a surviving member of a set of twins. In 103 BC, he was on a committee to supervise the implementation of the ''Lex frumentaria'', an agrarian bill, proposed by tribune Lucius Appuleius Saturninus. Strabo became a pontifex in 99 BC; a quaestor in 96 BC and an

aedile ''Aedile'' ( ; la, aedīlis , from , "temple edifice") was an elected office of the Roman Republic. Based in Rome, the aediles were responsible for maintenance of public buildings () and regulation of public festivals. They also had powers to ...

in 90 BC. In the midst of the Social War, Strabo stood for the consulship even though he had not yet been

praetor Praetor ( , ), also pretor, was the title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to a man acting in one of two official capacities: (i) the commander of an army, and (ii) as an elected '' magistratus'' (magistrate), assigned to discharge vari ...

. His candidacy was rejected by tribunes

Publius Sulpicius Rufus Publius Sulpicius Rufus (124–88 BC) was a Roman politician and orator whose attempts to pass controversial laws with the help of mob violence helped trigger the first civil war of the Roman Republic. His actions kindled the deadly rivalry betwe ...

and Publius Antistius, which led to street clashes in December 89 BC. After Strabo was dismissed Sulla and Quintus Pompeius Rufus were elected consuls for 88 BC. Along with his brother he was killed in the streets by partisans of Marius following the

civil war A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

in 87 BC. According to

Livy Titus Livius (; 59 BC – AD 17), known in English as Livy ( ), was a Roman historian. He wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people, titled , covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome before the traditional founding in ...

, their heads were exposed on the speaker's platform. Caesar Strabo Vopiscus wrote at least three tragedies with Greek themes. These plays were ''Adrastus'', ''Tecmesa'' and ''Teutras''. Only fragments of the plays survive. According to

Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the esta ...

, he was an orator known for his wit and humour. Cicero published a dialogue called '' De Oratore'', in which Strabo explains why humour is important in speech.Cicero, ''De Oratore''
2.231-290
/ref> He was an uncle to Lucius Julius Caesar (consul in 64 BC),

Julia Julia is usually a feminine given name. It is a Latinate feminine form of the name Julio and Julius. (For further details on etymology, see the Wiktionary entry "Julius".) The given name ''Julia'' had been in use throughout Late Antiquity (e.g ...

and a great-uncle to

Mark Antony Marcus Antonius (14 January 1 August 30 BC), commonly known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic from a constitutional republic into the au ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Julius Caesar, Gaius, Strabo 130s BC births 87 BC deaths 2nd-century BC Romans 1st-century BC Roman poets 1st-century BC Roman pontiffs Assassinated Roman politicians Curule aediles Gaius, Strabo Roman quaestors Senators of the Roman Republic