julius caesar and shakespeare powerpoint

Julius Caesar

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar cont.

!   Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. in Rome. !   Julius Caesar rises to power through the use of his

oratory skill. !   He was always a member of the democratic or

popular party. !   He married Cornelia, the wealthy daughter of

Lucius Cornelius Cinna. !   Caesar’s uncle arranged the marriage.

Roman Toga


!   When Caesar was given orders by Sulla to divorce Cornelia, he fled Rome in 81 B.C. for fear of his life because he refused to obey Sulla.

!   After Sulla’s death, Caesar returned to Rome and began to climb his way through the political arena.

!   Caesar soon began to back Pompey, the head of the popular party.

!   Caesar helped him gain both military and political advantages.

Pompey the Great


!   Caesar and Pompey agreed that one would leave to fight for the good of Rome every three years, and then return to Rome so that the other person could leave and have his turn at conquest.

!   During this time Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus form the First Triumvirate, which means “three men” or “rule by three.”

!   They took over the Senate and the rulings of Rome for a while. The idea was that Caesar had the backing of the Legions (army).


!  Pompey had the political power, and Crassus had the financial backing.

!  Pompey was even married to Caesar’s daughter Julia at this time.

!  The First Triumvirate would not last long due to the jealousy that erupted between Caesar and Pompey.


!  Pompey returned early from his sieges and told Caesar that it was his turn to leave again. While Caesar is gone, Pompey uses this opportunity to rally people behind him by claiming that Caesar has become too powerful and is only interested in benefitting himself and not the Roman Empire.


!  By making these allegations, Pompey declares a war with Caesar.

!  The problem is that Caesar had the backings of the Legions, and Pompey only had the backing of the Senate.

!  While Caesar is conquering new territory for Rome, he gets word of Pompey’s plan. Caesar decides to quit his campaigns and return to Rome to face Pompey and the charges against him.


!  When Caesar returns to Italy, Pompey warns him that if he crosses the Rubicon River, he is declaring a civil war on Rome.

!  Caesar responds with Alea Iacta Est, which translates to “the die is cast.”

Roman Legionaire

Roman Helmets


!  Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon is a symbolic acceptance of Pompey’s challenge.

!  During this time the other member of the First Triumvirate, Crassus, takes his money and flees.

!  Caesar easily makes his way into Rome and forces Pompey to flee.

!  Caesar was now in total control of Rome.


!  During this time Caesar proclaims himself Senator for Life.

!  Caesar eventually tries to go after Pompey, who fled to Egypt, but he never catches him.

!   Servants of Cleopatra later kill Pompey while he is in Egypt, and his sons try to avenge the death of their father by declaring war on Caesar.

!   Shakespeare’s play begins after Caesar defeats Pompey’s sons.


!   Contrary to popular belief, Caesar was not an actual Emperor of Rome. In fact, Rome had no actual emperors until about twenty years after Caesar’s death.

!   While Caesar was living, Rome was a Republic ruled by a Senate.

!   The name “Caesar” eventually became not a name, but a word meaning “ruler” or “chief” in Latin.


!   The word “Caesar” evolved into different languages such as German which took the name and turned it into Kaiser. The Russian word Czar as well traces its roots back to “Caesar.”

!   The term “caesarian sections,” or “C-sections” can trace its origins back to Julius Caesar because the popular belief was that Caesar did have not a natural childbirth, but instead was “cut from the womb.”

Outside the Roman Coliseum

Inside the Roman Coliseum

The Pantheon

The Forum of Julius Caesar

julius caesar and shakespeare powerpoint

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