Background Information Julius Caesar Background Information

A Brief History of Rome Rome before Republic (8th century BC) Led by Etruscan kings during this time The rape of Lucretia: an Etruscan king’s son rapes a Roman lady of exceptional virtue. She makes this public and then stabs herself. There is an uprising, and this pushes the Etruscans out of Rome.

Senators, Consuls, and Tribunes (from 509 BC) 510 BC: founding of Roman Republic Dictator (or Emperor) he overlooks the senate elected for six months The Roman Senate consists of 300 members This position is for life They select those who will take their place if they die. They choose two people to become heads of state (known as praetors or consuls)

Senators, Consuls, and Tribunes (from 509 BC) con. Praetors/Consuls elected for one year only They govern Rome. They must agree on every decision. Tribunes They make sure the rights of the people are being considered. Plebs The citizens of Rome (divided into two classes) Proletarians: urban poor freed slaves Patricians: wealthy citizens

Julius Caesar Triumvirs: power shared between three rulers The First Triumvirate: Julius Caesar, Crassus, Pompey Caesar: military leader led military victories against Gaul (now France and Belgium) and Britain. Pompey feared his military strength and popularity. Ordered Caesar to give up his army. Caesar refused, led army to Italy.

Julius Caesar con. Civil War against Pompey Caesar forced Pompey and rivals to flee to the Balkans.  He pursued Pompey to Egypt, where he discovered Pompey had been murdered. Pompey’s forces reorganized final battle in Spain Caesar vs. Pompey’s sons Caesar won. The beginning of Shakespeare’s play – Caesar returning from this battle Caesar was seen as a possible end to Roman Republic and its democratic ideals.