During Caesar's campaign against Rome he had to cross a small river, the Rubicon. The river flowed on the border between Gaul and the Roman Republic. To cross the Republican border with a military
force was equal to an open declaration of war. Having ordered
his chariot to stop, Caesar sat thinking for a long time
hesitating what decision to take. Then, ready to face his future
bravely, he said: "The die is cast," and ordered his troops into the
water. After a quick and easy victory over one of his opponents in Asia
Minor, Caesar sent a message which contained only three Latin words; the
corresponding English words were: "I came, I saw, I conquered."