Caesar Is Kidnapped

Do you remember the stories we already read about Rome? Rome grew from a small village to a rich, powerful city. Roman builders made roads so people could travel faster, aqueducts to bring water into the city, and apartments so many people could live within the city’s walls.

The great city of Rome became the richest, strongest city in the world. People from far away knew about Rome. They admired its beautiful buildings and splendid roads. They came from all over to trade in Rome, to watch the gladiator fights, and to admire Roman art. The Romans were the most powerful and prosperous people anywhere.

One day, a baby boy was born to a rich family in Rome. His parents named him Julius Caesar. The Caesars were important people. They claimed to be descended from Romulus, the founder of the city of Rome. Julius’s father was a rich nobleman who helped to make the laws of Rome. And Julius’s uncle was a consul, one of the two rulers of Rome. “My little boy will accomplish great things!” Julius’s father declared. “He will become one of the most famous men in Rome!”

As soon as Julius was old enough, his father sent him to school to learn reading, writing, mathematics, and rhetoric—the art of speaking in public. Julius Caesar became very good at speaking in public. He grew up to be tall and strong, with keen black eyes and a deep, powerful voice. Whenever he made a speech, crowds gathered to listen to him.

Soon Julius decided that he wanted to help govern Rome. He threw big parties for the people he needed to vote for him. He did favors for them. He became more and more popular.

But Julius decided that he needed even more lessons in rhetoric, so that he could convince even more Romans to vote for him.

“I’m not afraid of pirates!” Julius answered. He paid the captain of the ship and got on board.

But no sooner was the ship out of sight of land than another ship came into view behind it—a sleek, fast ship. “Pirates!” the captain shouted. He tried to sail faster, but the pirate ship gained on him. All the sailors ran up to the deck to fight, but the pirates boarded the ship and took it over. They stole the cargo—and then they saw Julius Caesar, standing in the middle of the captured sailors. They could tell by his clothing that he was a rich, important man.

“We’ll keep you for ransom,” the pirate captain said. “Who are your relatives? We’ll tell them that we’ll send you back as soon as they pay us $100,000!”

Julius Caesar burst out laughing. “Is that all?” he said. “I’m worth at least $250,000!”

“You think you’re so important?” the pirate said. “Very well, we’ll keep you and see how much money we can make from you!”

“I’m warning you,” Caesar said, “as soon as I’m free, I’ll return and execute all of you.”

The pirates laughed; they didn’t take Caesar’s threats seriously. They took him back to their ship and kept him for more than a month. But Caesar treated them as though they were the prisoners. “Savages!” he would call out. “Be quiet! I’m napping! And be sure that the food I’m served for supper is better than what I had for lunch!”

The pirates thought Caesar was funny. Finally, the government of Rome sent them Caesar’s ransom. They took the money and told Caesar goodbye. “Go back to Rome, little boy,” they mocked him. “Go back to where it’s safe! The sea belongs to us.”

But as soon as Caesar got back to Rome, he convinced the Roman navy to lend him three warships and several troops of soldiers.

This time Caesar was ready. He told his soldiers, “Get ready to fight!” He circled his warships around and met the pirates head on. The soldiers and pirates fought hand-to-hand, climbing from one ship to another, until the pirates were defeated.

“Now who does the sea belong to?” Caesar said to the pirate captain. He took the pirates back to Rome, and had them all executed!

After this, everyone in Rome knew who Caesar was. They knew that he was a strong leader and a fierce fighter. Julius Caesar’s name was on everyone’s lips. The people of Rome were ready to vote for Caesar!