Caesars constitutional position
Dictatorship:
Dictator Perpetuo (Dictator for Life): This was the pinnacle of his power, granted in February 44 BCE. Traditionally a temporary emergency office (6 months), Caesar's perpetual dictatorship granted him absolute, lifelong civil and military authority, overriding all other magistracies.
Consulship:
He held the consulship continuously from 48 BCE, often without a colleague or with one he effectively controlled. This gave him the highest executive authority in Rome, including presiding over the Senate and popular assemblies, and administering justice, consolidating executive and emergency powers in one person.
Other Offices and Powers (within/beyond cursus honorum):
Pontifex Maximus: Held this lifetime religious office since 63 BCE, giving him supreme authority over state religion and its calendar.
Censorian Powers (Censoria Potestas): Granted censorian authority, allowing him to appoint and remove senators and knights, giving him immense control over the composition and loyalty of the governing bodies. He increased the Senate's size to 900, packing it with his supporters.
Tribunician Power (Tribunicia Potestas): Although he was a patrician and could not be a tribune, he was granted the powers of a Tribune of the Plebs (sacrosanctity, right to veto). This made his person inviolable and allowed him to propose legislation directly to the people.
Imperium Maius: He held supreme military command throughout the Roman world, enabling him to control all legions and govern provinces without challenge.
Military Power:
As supreme commander and dictator, he had absolute control over the vast Roman military. His legions were fiercely loyal to him personally, due to his generosity (land grants, bonuses) and shared victories, making his army a powerful instrument of his will.
Control of Treasury:
As Dictator and Consul, Caesar exercised ultimate control over the aerarium (public treasury). This meant he dictated state finances, public spending (including massive public works), and military funding, granting him unparalleled economic leverage.
Privileges and Oaths:
Sacrosanctity: His person was constitutionally inviolable due to his tribunician powers; any attack on him was sacrilegious.
Personal Cult and Honors: A semi-divine cult began to develop around him, with statues in temples and even special religious festivals dedicated to him. He was granted numerous public honors, including a golden chair in the Senate and triumphal attire.
Oaths of Loyalty: Senators, magistrates, and other officials were compelled to swear personal oaths to uphold his laws and his acts (acta Caesaris), binding them directly to his authority and decisions, further eroding republican independence.
In 44BCE Julius Caesar had a large amount of power and his position in the constitution was unprecedented, transforming the Roman Republic into the Empire it became.
One of his main powers was becoming "Dictator for Life” (Dictator Perpetuo) which he got granted by the senate in February 44 BCE. This office was traditionally used only for martial law and military and emergency use, so when Caesar held it, it gave him lifelong military control and civil authority. This made his the sole ruler of Rome for the time being until he steps down or passes.
Caesar also
Secondly, Caesar concurrently held the Consulship, often without a genuine colleague, giving him supreme executive authority over the Senate and assemblies. Furthermore, he was granted Censorian powers, allowing him to appoint and remove senators, and held Tribunician power, which made his person sacrosanct and allowed him to propose legislation directly to the people.
Thirdly, as the supreme commander with Imperium Maius, Caesar commanded absolute control over all Roman legions. These troops were personally loyal to him, forming a formidable power base. This military authority was complemented by his control over the public treasury, enabling him to direct state finances, public works, and military expenditure.
Finally, Caesar received numerous unprecedented privileges and honors, including a developing personal cult and special attire. Critically, senators and magistrates were required to swear oaths to uphold his laws and acts, legally binding them to his will and further solidifying his absolute, monarch-like position within the Roman state.