Roman History IX: Twilight of the Republic Latin III/IV Culture Lesson

Recap from Last Episode Pompey, conqueror of the East, returns to Rome, but the Senate refuses to recognize his arrangements Pompey, conqueror of the East, returns to Rome, but the Senate refuses to recognize his arrangements Julius Caesar, needing political backing and money for his run at the consulship, teams up with Pompey and Crassus to form the First Triumvirate Julius Caesar, needing political backing and money for his run at the consulship, teams up with Pompey and Crassus to form the First Triumvirate With their help, Caesar becomes one of the consuls for 59 B.C. With their help, Caesar becomes one of the consuls for 59 B.C.

The Consulship of 59 Caesar is co-consul with Marcus Bibulus, a favorite of the conservative class. Caesar is co-consul with Marcus Bibulus, a favorite of the conservative class. However, Caesar bullies Bibulus out of office. Every day, henceforth, Bibulus declares that the omens are bad and he cant come out of his house. However, Caesar bullies Bibulus out of office. Every day, henceforth, Bibulus declares that the omens are bad and he cant come out of his house. Cicero jokingly referred to the year as Iulio Caesareque Consulibus Cicero jokingly referred to the year as Iulio Caesareque Consulibus

Caesars Reward Following his consulship, Caesar receives the governorship of Cisalpine Gaul, also called Gallia Togata, Toga-Wearing Gaul Following his consulship, Caesar receives the governorship of Cisalpine Gaul, also called Gallia Togata, Toga-Wearing Gaul Metellus Celer, governor of Transalpine Gaul, dies this year, and Caesar assumes this governorship as well Metellus Celer, governor of Transalpine Gaul, dies this year, and Caesar assumes this governorship as well Caesar receives an extended term of five years as governor of both provinces Caesar receives an extended term of five years as governor of both provinces

Trouble for the Triumvirs Crassus, who still is jealous of Pompeys fame and status, employs the infamous Clodius and his gangs to harass Pompey in public Crassus, who still is jealous of Pompeys fame and status, employs the infamous Clodius and his gangs to harass Pompey in public Pompeys response is two-fold Pompeys response is two-fold Supports a rival gang led by the eques Titus Annius Milo Supports a rival gang led by the eques Titus Annius Milo Vigorously campaigns for the recall of Cicero, exiled in 58 B.C. by Clodius himself Vigorously campaigns for the recall of Cicero, exiled in 58 B.C. by Clodius himself

Breaking Up is Hard to Do Caesar, hearing of the political strife in Rome between his partners, and fearing repercussions for himself, arranges a meeting of the three in Lucca, a town within Cisalpine Gaul, in 56 B.C. Caesar, hearing of the political strife in Rome between his partners, and fearing repercussions for himself, arranges a meeting of the three in Lucca, a town within Cisalpine Gaul, in 56 B.C. Two major outcomes Two major outcomes Pompey and Crassus will run for the consulships of 55 B.C. Pompey and Crassus will run for the consulships of 55 B.C. As consuls, they will extend Caesars term as governor, and they will get 5 year terms in Spain and Syria, respectively As consuls, they will extend Caesars term as governor, and they will get 5 year terms in Spain and Syria, respectively

What He Always Wanted Pompey and Crassus easily win the consulships of 55, with a little help from Caesar Pompey and Crassus easily win the consulships of 55, with a little help from Caesar In 54, Crassus and his legions travel East, planning first to occupy Syria (which included most of the eastern Mediterranean), then to cross the Euphrates R. and attack the Parthians In 54, Crassus and his legions travel East, planning first to occupy Syria (which included most of the eastern Mediterranean), then to cross the Euphrates R. and attack the Parthians

Careful What you Wish For… The Parthians, combining light cavalry, knowledge of the terrain, and surprising skill, utterly defeat a Roman army under Crassus son, Publius, near Carrhae The Parthians, combining light cavalry, knowledge of the terrain, and surprising skill, utterly defeat a Roman army under Crassus son, Publius, near Carrhae Crassus forces are decimated soon after, and he himself killed in battle via decapitation. His head was sent to the Parthian king and used as a prop in a production of the Bacchae Crassus forces are decimated soon after, and he himself killed in battle via decapitation. His head was sent to the Parthian king and used as a prop in a production of the Bacchae

Triumvirs No Longer Crassus dies in June of 53 B.C. in the East. Crassus dies in June of 53 B.C. in the East. Julia, wife of Pompey and daughter of Caesar, dies in childbirth in August of 53. Julia, wife of Pompey and daughter of Caesar, dies in childbirth in August of 53. The death of Clodius and the subsequent riots prevent consular elections from being held. The Senate, to re-establish order, proclaim Pompey sole consul with the priority of ending urban violence The death of Clodius and the subsequent riots prevent consular elections from being held. The Senate, to re-establish order, proclaim Pompey sole consul with the priority of ending urban violence

Splitting Apart Pompeys first move as consul: prosecute his one-time ally Milo for the death of Clodius. Ciceros attempts at a defense are shouted down by both Clodian sympathizers and Pompeys troops Pompeys first move as consul: prosecute his one-time ally Milo for the death of Clodius. Ciceros attempts at a defense are shouted down by both Clodian sympathizers and Pompeys troops Caesar, meanwhile, begins the final major campaign of his Gallic Wars against the insurgent Vercingetorix. Caesar defeats him at Alesia, and for the most part pacifies Gaul Caesar, meanwhile, begins the final major campaign of his Gallic Wars against the insurgent Vercingetorix. Caesar defeats him at Alesia, and for the most part pacifies Gaul

Caesars Return Caesars term as governor ends in 49 B.C. To avoid prosecution for war crimes, he plans to run for the consulship of 48 in absentia. The Senate refuses, and Pompey orders Caesar to disband his troops before re-entering Italy. Caesars term as governor ends in 49 B.C. To avoid prosecution for war crimes, he plans to run for the consulship of 48 in absentia. The Senate refuses, and Pompey orders Caesar to disband his troops before re-entering Italy. Knowing what will happen if he has no army, Caesar crosses the Rubicon in 49 B.C., uttering the fateful quote Alea iacta est, The die has been cast The 2 nd Civil War begins. Knowing what will happen if he has no army, Caesar crosses the Rubicon in 49 B.C., uttering the fateful quote Alea iacta est, The die has been cast The 2 nd Civil War begins.

The 2 nd Civil War Caesar slowly makes his way towards Rome, building support among Italians along the way Caesar slowly makes his way towards Rome, building support among Italians along the way Pompey and many senators flee Rome and decide to make their stand in Greece. After setting up a puppet government in Rome and receiving an appointment as dictator, Caesar and his men give chase. Pompey and many senators flee Rome and decide to make their stand in Greece. After setting up a puppet government in Rome and receiving an appointment as dictator, Caesar and his men give chase.

2 nd Civil War Continued Caesars fleet attempts to engage Pompey at the Greek port of Dyrrachium, but Pompey is too well entrenched and Caesar is forced to land further north. Caesars fleet attempts to engage Pompey at the Greek port of Dyrrachium, but Pompey is too well entrenched and Caesar is forced to land further north. Pompey now gives chase to Caesar, and the two forces clash near the town of Pharsalus. Caesar wins a decisive victory, and Pompey flees to Egypt, with Caesar hounding him closely Pompey now gives chase to Caesar, and the two forces clash near the town of Pharsalus. Caesar wins a decisive victory, and Pompey flees to Egypt, with Caesar hounding him closely

A Tragic End Pompey makes his way to Egypt, where he is greeted by an ambassador of King Ptolemy of Egypt. Ptolemy, not wanting to feel the wrath of Caesar for harboring Pompey, orders the ambassador to kill Pompey, which he does. Pompey makes his way to Egypt, where he is greeted by an ambassador of King Ptolemy of Egypt. Ptolemy, not wanting to feel the wrath of Caesar for harboring Pompey, orders the ambassador to kill Pompey, which he does. Caesar finally arrives in Egypt, where he too is greeted by an ambassador bearing a present- Pompeys head in a pickling jar. Rather than thanking Ptolemy, Caesar is outraged. Caesar finally arrives in Egypt, where he too is greeted by an ambassador bearing a present- Pompeys head in a pickling jar. Rather than thanking Ptolemy, Caesar is outraged.

An Egyptian Holiday Caesar is visited by the kings sister, a young Cleopatra. She convinces him to aid her in overthrowing the king and establishing her and her other brother in his place. They are successful. Caesar is visited by the kings sister, a young Cleopatra. She convinces him to aid her in overthrowing the king and establishing her and her other brother in his place. They are successful. Caesar spends time in Egypt with Cleopatra, and then brings her back with him to Rome. Their affair leads to the birth of his only male child, named Caesarion. Caesar spends time in Egypt with Cleopatra, and then brings her back with him to Rome. Their affair leads to the birth of his only male child, named Caesarion.

Caesars Reign Caesar returns to Rome in 46 B.C., after mopping up Pompeian supporters in Africa Caesar returns to Rome in 46 B.C., after mopping up Pompeian supporters in Africa Since 49, Caesar alternately holds the offices of consul and dictator a total of 10 times. Since 49, Caesar alternately holds the offices of consul and dictator a total of 10 times. Upon his return to Rome, he graciously and unceremoniously pardons all his former enemies. He also sets about reforming many abuses in government. Upon his return to Rome, he graciously and unceremoniously pardons all his former enemies. He also sets about reforming many abuses in government.

The End of Caesar In 45, Caesar again leaves Rome to deal with Pompeian supporters in Spain. Returns near the end of the year victorious. In 45, Caesar again leaves Rome to deal with Pompeian supporters in Spain. Returns near the end of the year victorious. February of 44- Caesar is given the title Dictator Perpetuo, Dictator for life February of 44- Caesar is given the title Dictator Perpetuo, Dictator for life March 15, 44- A conspiracy of senators, led by Cassius and Marcus Brutus assassinate Caesar in Pompeys Senate House, and he died under the eyes of Pompeys bust March 15, 44- A conspiracy of senators, led by Cassius and Marcus Brutus assassinate Caesar in Pompeys Senate House, and he died under the eyes of Pompeys bust

Contributions of the Triumvirs Pompey built the first permanent theater in Rome. He was also responsible for bringing Roman culture to the Near East, where it remained until 1453 A.D. Pompey built the first permanent theater in Rome. He was also responsible for bringing Roman culture to the Near East, where it remained until 1453 A.D. Caesar wrote the famous Commentary on the Gallic Wars. He also had published the Acta Diurna, a daily announcement of government business. Finally, he reformed the calendar, giving us the dating system we have today. Caesar wrote the famous Commentary on the Gallic Wars. He also had published the Acta Diurna, a daily announcement of government business. Finally, he reformed the calendar, giving us the dating system we have today.