What were the major religious and philosophical conflicts in Rome during Julius Caesar's time?

During Julius Caesar's time, Rome experienced several major religious and philosophical conflicts. One significant conflict was the struggle between traditional Roman religion and the growing influence of foreign cults and philosophies. The Roman state religion, centered around the worship of traditional gods and goddesses, clashed with the spread of Eastern mystery cults such as the worship of Isis and Mithras. These cults offered personal salvation and promised a direct connection with the divine, which challenged the authority and exclusivity of the Roman state religion.

Another conflict arose between the Stoic and Epicurean philosophical schools. Stoicism emphasized duty, self-control, and the pursuit of virtue, while Epicureanism advocated for the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. These conflicting philosophies represented different approaches to life and clashed in their views on ethics, politics, and the nature of happiness.

Furthermore, there was a conflict between conservative senators and the populist movement led by Julius Caesar. The conservative senators, known as the Optimates, upheld traditional Roman values and institutions, including the authority of the Senate and the Republic. On the other hand, Caesar and his supporters, known as the Populares, sought to challenge the power of the Senate and implement reforms to benefit the common people. This conflict had both political and philosophical dimensions, as it involved differing views on the role of government and the distribution of power.

Overall, the major religious and philosophical conflicts in Rome during Julius Caesar's time revolved around the clash between traditional Roman religion and foreign cults, the opposing philosophies of Stoicism and Epicureanism, and the political and philosophical divide between the conservative senators and the populist movement led by Caesar.