Julius caesar

UNDER CAESAR’S RULE

Caesar’s empire Gaul Spain Asia Minor Macedonia Italy Numudia Nervii Corsica Philippi Asia Minor Rome Macedonia Sardinia Italy Sardis Numudia

Caesar’s time line 100 BC: Caesar born 75: captured by pirates 73: member college of priests 69: praetor in spain 68: suspected of attempting to overthrow senate & establish crassus as dictator 65: gains popularity as aedile (dir.of public works/games; puts on combats w/wild beasts and gladiators 63: elected pontifex maximus – head of state religion 62: becomes praetor, or magistrate 61: serves as governor of Further Spain 60: rules Rome w/Crassus & Pompey in 1st Triumvirate 59: elected consul, one of Rome’s 2 executive offices, in a fixed election; marries Calpurnia; Julia, daughter from 1st marriage to Cornelia, marries Pompey

caesar’s timeline cont’d 58: invades Gaul, where more than 200 separate Celtic tribes live 57: nearly wipes out Nervii army that ambushes his forces in Gaul 55: invades Germany to show the power of Rome; leads military expedition to Britain 54: Julia dies and tension grows between Caesar & Pompey 54: invades Britain again 51: completes conquest of Gaul 49: refuses Pompey’s order to give up his army and begins civil war; appoints himself tribune for life and dictator; after returning from Spain, is given the title, “Liberator” 48: falls in love w/Cleopatra; defeats Pompey’s army at Pharsalus (pardons Brutus & Cassius, who fought against him, then appoints them to a high office 45: defeats Pompey’s 2 sons in Rome; becomes sole ruler of Roman Republic

Caesar’s end 44 BC: named dictator for life(February); refuses crown offered by Mark Antony (March); plans to lead army against the Parthians to avenge their defeat of Crassus(March): assassinated (March 15) Antony forms 2nd triumvirate w/Octavius and Lepidus; the 3 order the deaths of over 300 senators and 2,000 businessman to cleanse Rome of supposed loyalists to the slain Caesar

Terms to know in Julius caesar Military Terms Political Terms Battle: a unit or party of the army Battles: armed forces drawn up for fighting Charges: the troops Cohort: an army division Ensign: the flag bearer Alarum: trumpet call to arms The horse in general: cavalry Legion: 3,000-6,000 soldiers of 10 cohorts Parley: (“to talk”) conference between officers of opposing forces Tributaries: captives (POWs) who had to pay a “tribute” or ransom to Rome to obtain their freedom – this money went to city coffers Bondsman: slave Commons: common people Consul: chief magistrate-highest official in Republic Dictator: one person w/complete political control Plebian: the common people Praetor: Roman judge/magistrate; next to consul in rank Rabblement/Rout: the mob Senator: mainly wealthy patricians; make laws Tribune: magistrate who protects rights of lower classes Triumvirate: rule of 3 men

Who’s Who in Julius Caesar The 1st Triumvirate – before play begins: Julius Caesar: elected dictator for life Crassus: killed Pompey: Caesar kills him The 2nd Triumvirate – after Caesar’s murder: Octavious Caesar: nephew to Caesar Mark Antony: a fiercely loyal friend to Caesar M. Lepidus

Main Characters in Julius Caesar Julius Caesar, Dictator of Rome – Calpurnia (Wife) Marcus Brutus, Roman Praetor – Portia (Wife) Servants to Brutus Claudius Clitus Dardanius Lucius Strato Varro Comrades in Arms w/Brutus Young Cato Messala Titinius Volumnius Lucilius Conspirators Against Caesar Marcus Brutus Decius Brutus Casca Cassius Metellus Cimber Cinna Ligarius Trebonius Others: Pindarius: servant of Cassius Artemidorus, rhetoric teacher

Senators Cicero – also a well-respected orator Popilius Lena Publius Tribunes Flavius Marullus Other senators, citizens, guards, attendants, and another poet, named Cinna Soothsayer – who tries to warn Caesar

Major themes in Julius Caesar Deciding: to whom does one owe his loyalty – friend or country? Unchecked Personal Ambition: can interfere w/ability to govern the state Violence: only begets violence Mob Mentality Human error: even noble people have personal flaws & blind spots that can undermine their success – or destroy them When legitimate authority breaks down, all other rules of society will crumble, too Downfall of idealist in a realistic world