re: Why is Julius Caesar looked upon so fondly by history?

Scumbag is probably too harsh and non-descriptive. However, you do well to remind us all that, Ceaser, despite being the most famous Roman and arguably the most famous person in history, committed many deeds that were destructive, evil, selfish and wrong.

He's not really deserving of any admiration or acclaim. In the play written by Billy Shakes, perhaps Brutus hit the nail on the head when he said, " I come not to praise Ceasar, but to bury him."