New diagnosis points out that Julius Caesar did not suffer from epilepsy

Julius Caesar was undoubtedly one of the most celebrated generals in history, and his leadership was instrumental in the rise of the Roman Empire. His deeds and battles are well known to everyone, as is Caesar's suffering from a host of health problems - such as dizziness, dizziness, migraine, muscle weakness, and attacks - that have led many historians to believe that the Roman suffered from epilepsy.

However, according to The Guardian's Ian Sample, doctors at Imperial College London reviewed Julius Cesar's symptoms and presented a study in which they suggest that the general, rather than being epileptic, probably suffered a series of mini strokes that, in addition to from affecting the leader physically, may also have triggered changes in his mental state.

Trajectory and clues

The general was born in 100 BC in Rome and, after leading the conquest of Gaul and winning battle after battle, Julius Caesar scaled the political system until he became dictator of the Roman Republic in 49 BC. Unfortunately, his rule was prematurely terminated in 44 BC. when Caesar was assassinated in the Senate.

His military and political trajectory has been widely documented throughout history, and there are records that Julius Caesar's personality changed dramatically and that he became depressed towards the end of his life. In addition, in a famous episode - in which the dictator reacted strongly against a speech by Cicero - witnesses claimed that Caesar had turned pale and trembling, and had dropped a handful of documents before the senators.

Another example is the testimony that on another occasion Julius Caesar would not have been able to rise while Senate members honored him - an attitude that was interpreted as challenging at the time. These and other cases led historians to deduce that the general suffered from epilepsy — a problem that at the time of the dictator was considered a sacred disease, so the diagnosis was convenient for his position.

Review

According to doctors who reviewed Caesar's diagnosis, the symptoms described by Greek and Roman historians are not consistent with epilepsy. As explained, the evidence is more consistent with problems resulting from the occurrence of several small strokes - known as transient ischemic accidents.

According to Ian, experts have also relied on texts by Pliny the Elder, which reveal that Julius Caesar's father and other relative died suddenly for no apparent cause. Doctors suggest that the cause may have been cardiac arrest or stroke, so it is possible that the dictator had a genetic predisposition to suffer from cardiovascular problems.