Why was Caesar called a dictator?

Julius Caesar was called a dictator because he held absolute power in Rome, particularly during his appointment as "dictator perpetuo," or dictator for life, in 44 BCE. This position allowed him to bypass the traditional checks and balances of the Roman Republic, consolidating authority and making significant reforms. His centralization of power and disregard for the Senate's authority alarmed many, ultimately leading to his assassination, as he was seen as a threat to the Republic's democratic ideals.