Julius Caesar

Names in Roman Times FYI: Men in patrician, or aristocratic, families had three names: praenomen, nomen, and cognomen. Ex: Gauis Julius Caesar Nomen referred to clan Cognomen indicated family branch Females had no name, but were called by clan name. Ex: Caesar’s daughter was called Julia

Roman Government Government consisted of three groups: Senate, Magistrates, and the People SENATE The Senate contained around 600 members. The senate was open to everyone, but contained mostly aristocrats who served their whole life

Roman Government Continued MAGISTRATES Government officials who were elected by the people. They held office for one year The People The people were composed of two groups: Populus and the Plebs

Gauis Julius Caesar Lived from 100 - 44 BC He gained experience as a soldier starting in 78 BC He entered government there after and moved through government positions rapidly

Tension in Rome Crassus and Pompey assembled large armies and approached Rome Crassus and Pompey demanded things from the senate and were turned down In 59 BC, Caesar proposed for the three of them (Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey) to share power as a Triumvirate

Triumvirate Pompey gained settlements in the new colonies, Crassus received a revision in the Asian tax contract, and Caesar took command of the military Their relationship became uneasy (they distrusted each other) but Pompey married Julia (Caesar’s daughter) Some say Caesar was too power hungry

Triumvirate Continued Crassus and his son were killed in battle Bond between Pompey and Caesar weakened Caesar took a band of troops and fled Caesar was declared an enemy of Rome

Caesar vs. Pompey Caesar confronted Pompey. Pompey’s troops outnumbered Caesar’s 47,000 to 22,000 Caesar won and celebrated by having an affair with Cleopatra in Egypt (she was the queen of Egypt) He returned to Rome saying “I came, I saw, I conquered!” ("VENI, VIDI, VICI“) Pompey and his son tried again but lost the fight and their own lives

Caesar’s Return Caesar was showered with many honors after his defeat of Pompey and his son This is the point in time where the play begins (Caesar’s return to Rome) Corona Civica was the highest award for bravery. This is the headdress of leaves you see on Caesar’s head