Julius Caesar BackgroundJulius Caesar BackgroundThe life and times of a Roman rulerThe life and times of a Roman ruler

Political HistoryPolitical HistoryFor centuries, Romans debated and even For centuries, Romans debated and even

fought civil wars while trying to decide fought civil wars while trying to decide whether to be a whether to be a monarchymonarchy, , republicrepublic, or , or dictatorshipdictatorship..

Until 509 B.C., Rome was a monarchy.Until 509 B.C., Rome was a monarchy.

But, in that year, the But, in that year, the Brutus familyBrutus family evicted evicted Tarquinius Superbus from the throne and Tarquinius Superbus from the throne and Rome was established as a republic. Rome was established as a republic.

Political HistoryPolitical History

The people discovered, however, that they The people discovered, however, that they had merely exchanged rule by a king for rule had merely exchanged rule by a king for rule by a group of wealthy Romans called by a group of wealthy Romans called patricianspatricians..

By 100 B.C., Rome was a By 100 B.C., Rome was a moderatemoderate democracydemocracy in form: in actual practice, in form: in actual practice, Rome was being ruled by the Senate.Rome was being ruled by the Senate.

Political HistoryPolitical History

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar (102?-44 B.C.) was a (102?-44 B.C.) was a patricianpatrician but cast his lot with the people, gaining their but cast his lot with the people, gaining their favor by:favor by:

spending money for public entertainment spending money for public entertainment establishing laws freeing farmers and establishing laws freeing farmers and

tradesmen from heavy taxestradesmen from heavy taxes

Political HistoryPolitical History In 60 B.C., a In 60 B.C., a triumviratetriumvirate (a three-man rule) (a three-man rule)

of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey was of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey was formed to govern Rome.formed to govern Rome.

In 58 B.C., Caesar was made governor of In 58 B.C., Caesar was made governor of part of Gaul (an area now encompassing part of Gaul (an area now encompassing southern France and northern Italy), and at southern France and northern Italy), and at the age of 44 began his military career.the age of 44 began his military career.

During the next 10 years, he proceeded to During the next 10 years, he proceeded to conquer all of Gaul.conquer all of Gaul.

Political HistoryPolitical History

After After CrassusCrassus was killed while conducting a was killed while conducting a military campaign in Parthia, trouble began military campaign in Parthia, trouble began to develop between to develop between PompeyPompey and and CaesarCaesar..

PompeyPompey, jealous of , jealous of Caesar’sCaesar’s popularity, popularity, persuaded the persuaded the SenateSenate to order to order CaesarCaesar to to disband his army and return to Rome.disband his army and return to Rome.

Political HistoryPolitical History

But But CaesarCaesar, with his army, crossed the , with his army, crossed the Rubicon River which separated Gaul from Rubicon River which separated Gaul from Italy, Italy, invaded Romeinvaded Rome, and made himself , and made himself absolute rulerabsolute ruler of Romeof Rome..

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, PompeyPompey fledfled to Greece. to Greece.

Caesar defeated Pompey’s armyCaesar defeated Pompey’s army at at Pharsalia (48 B.C.) and Pharsalia (48 B.C.) and Pompey fledPompey fled to to Egypt where he was later murdered.Egypt where he was later murdered.

Political HistoryPolitical History

Three years after the battle of Pharsalia, Three years after the battle of Pharsalia, Caesar defeated Pompey’s two sonsCaesar defeated Pompey’s two sons at at Munda, Spain.Munda, Spain.

By now, By now, CaesarCaesar had been made had been made dictatordictator for for life.life.

Thus, Thus, ShakespeareShakespeare begins his play with begins his play with CaesarCaesar returning in returning in victoryvictory from Spain. from Spain. CaesarCaesar was the was the undisputed leaderundisputed leader and and master of the entire Roman World.master of the entire Roman World.

Julius Caesar TermsJulius Caesar Terms

BondsmanBondsman – Slave – Slave CommonsCommons – the common people – the common people ConsulConsul – the chief magistrate and highest – the chief magistrate and highest

official in Roman republicofficial in Roman republic DictatorDictator – total political control by one – total political control by one

personperson PlebianPlebian – the common people – the common people

Julius Caesar TermsJulius Caesar Terms PraetorPraetor – Roman judge or magistrate next to – Roman judge or magistrate next to

consul in rank.consul in rank. Rabblement/routRabblement/rout – the rabble, mob – the rabble, mob SenatorsSenators – mainly patricians (wealthy, high- – mainly patricians (wealthy, high-

born citizens) who make the lawsborn citizens) who make the laws TribuneTribune – a magistrate who protects the – a magistrate who protects the

rights of the lower classrights of the lower class TriumvirateTriumvirate – rule by three men – rule by three men