Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar 100-44 BC Born into a patrician family who claimed to be descended from Venus. Patrician: upper-class, noble Plebeian: lower-class, peasant Suffered from epilepsy. Rose from general, to statesman, to dictator of Rome. Developed a political and romantic alliance with Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. Well loved by the lower and middle class. Widely considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time.

Timeline 60 BC: formed the First Triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey. Triumvirate: “rule of three men,” a political alliance 53 BC: Crassus died. 51 BC: conquest of Gaul. 49 BC: Caesar defied Pompey and the Senate, who ordered him to return to Rome. Caesar attacked Pompey’s forces in Spain, Greece, and Egypt, which began a civil war. He won the war and was eventually declared “dictator in perpetuity.” 44 BC: assassinated by members of the Senate who feared that he would become a tyrant and disband the Republic.

Octavius (Caesar Augustus) Julius Caesar’s grandnephew and heir. Formed the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus to defeat Caesar’s assassins. Defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium. Became the first emperor of the Roman Empire after Lepidus was exiled and Antony committed suicide. Began the period known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

Mark Antony Loyal supporter, friend, and distant cousin of Julius Caesar. Studied rhetoric and philosophy in Athens. Known for wild living and gambling. Became the administrator of Italy and Caesar’s second in command. Tried to warn Caesar of the assassination plot but was distracted. Gave a passionate speech at Caesar’s funeral, which caused the Roman citizens to revolt against the assassins.

Brutus Possible illegitimate son of Julius Caesar who was next in line as his heir after Octavius. Supported Pompey in the battle against Caesar, but was later forgiven by Caesar and made governor of Gaul. Feared that Caesar would become too powerful as a dictator, which would ruin the Republic. Defeated by Mark Antony and Octavius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, where he committed suicide. In Dante’s Inferno, he, along with Cassius and Judas Iscariot, is condemned to the deepest circle of Hell for being “Treacherous Against [His Master] where he is chewed in one of the three mouths of Satan for all eternity.

Cassius Co-conspirator and brother-in-law of Brutus. Planned and convinced most of the people to join the conspiracy, although Brutus was commonly seen as the leader. Remained sure in his desire to assassinate Caesar, while Brutus hesitated before joining. Wanted to assassinate Antony too, but Brutus decided against it.

Calpurnia Warned Caesar not to go to the capitol on the Ides of March because of the nightmares she had the night before predicting his death. Delivered Caesar’s personal papers and possessions to Mark Antony.

Porcia Catonis Brutus’s wife and the daughter of Cato. The only woman who knew about the assassination plot. Wounded herself in the thigh to show her loyalty to Brutus. Committed suicide upon Brutus’s death by swallowing hot coals.

Rome before and after Caesar Roman Republic: 509-44 BC Ruled by a constitution and senate Out of the Senate, a consul was elected who served for one year. Julius Caesar was named consul, then dictator, which ended the Republic Roman Empire: 27 BC-476 AD Began when Octavius was named Caesar Augustus and emperor of Rome. Ruled by one emperor, who had absolute power.