# Caesar (ca 101-44 B.C.) Roman soldier and statesman who became Roman dictator in 49 B.C. In 55 B.C. he made his first expedition to Britain, effecting little beyond a landing on the southeastern coast. This was followed by a second crossing in 54 B.C. in which Caesar penetrated into south central England and crossed the Thames. But the British prince Cassivellaunus with his war chariots harassed the Roman columns, and Caesar was compelled to return to Gaul after imposing a tribute which was never paid.