> The phrase "I came, I saw, I conquered" is attributed to which historicalfigure?And the answer: Julius Caesar. The Latin phrase veni, vidi, vici translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered."It's attributed to Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, written in a letter to the RomanSenate around 47 BCE, after he had achieved a quick victory.Photo credit: public domain.Julius Caesar was a ruler who liked to keep score.Known for recording his wartime experiences, Caesar had a significant addictionfor the books. But first, some context. From 50-63 BCE, Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey ruled Rome as the FirstTriumvirate. All three were prominent Roman politicians who aimed to circumventRome's governmental system of checks and balances, which were in place toprevent any one man from gaining too much power. While a now-unconventional formof leadership, the three worked together to barter and conquer as much as theycould, often benefitting from what the other had to offer. However, they weren't quite the best of friends. When Crassus died in 53 BCE,there was nothing to stop the leaders from feuding, each grappling for powerthey believed was owed to themselves alone. Pompey, along with all but twomembers of the senate, demanded that Caesar disband his army and end his term asgovernor. Caesar refused and led his army toward Rome, provoking a civil war.Pompey and his counsel promptly fled Rome, fearing Caesar's wrath, and died inEgypt under Egyptian ruler Ptolemy XIII, where Caesar found him some yearslater. Caesar, on his way back to Rome, was invigorated by the win and sought toconquer more land on the way. He won the land of Pharnaces, who ruled theCimmerian Bosporus in a quick and easy battle – to Caesar, this was icing on thecake. He later reflected on the battle in his notes, stating veni, vidi, vici. And now, a joke. Why was Julius Caesar the first dictator of Rome?He was the only one with the Gaul to try it.