In the 6th C. B.C.E., Rome was ruled by a family of brutal tyrants called the Tarquins. Led by Lucius Julius Brutus, the Romans fought against the monarchy and established Rome as a republic in 509 B.C.E. From then on Rome was governed by two consuls, who were elected. Their authority was equal, and they only stayed in power for one year at a time and acted on advice from the Senate. Elected Tribunes kept watch over the Senate to protect the rights of the common people. They were supposed to represent the opinions of the people during Senate meetings.

Eventually this system of consuls began to weaken Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar united to form a Triumvirate to govern Rome and its provinces. Crassus was killed in battle. Civil war broke out because Caesar and Pompey would not agree to share power. Caesar violated Roman law by crossing the Rubicon river and entering Rome with his armies. In 45 BC Caesar defeated Pompey; then a little later he conquered Pompey’s two sons. The play opens with Caesar’s return from this last victory.

Brilliant military strategist and general. Conquered a HUGE area in Europe and Asia. Defeated Pompey in Egypt with fewer than half the number of men. Practiced clemency – He would not execute defeated soldiers or take their property.

Spent money lavishly on games and luxuries for the Roman citizens, mostly with borrowed money. His economic policies favored the middle class, rather than the upper class. He increased the size of the Senate to 900, filling it with many of his supporters. Threatened the power of the aristocracy. Appointed dictator for life (a position normally granted for ten years during emergencies). Some worried he wanted to be crowned emperor, which would mean the end of Rome as a Republic.

Believe to be written in It portrays the conspiracy against the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, his assassination and its aftermath. Although the title of the play is Julius Caesar, Caesar is not the central character in its action; he appears in only three scenes, and is killed at the beginning of the third act. The protagonist of the play is Marcus Brutus, and the central psychological drama is his struggle between the conflicting demands of honor, patriotism, and friendship. Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare

The play reflected the general anxiety of England over succession of leadership. Queen Elizabeth, a strong ruler, was elderly and had refused to name a successor, leading to worries that a civil war similar to that of Rome might break out after her death. Remember as you read that the audience’s perspective matters. As Americans, most of us probably value the ideals of representative government. Shakespeare was writing as a citizen of a monarchy.

Born in Stratford-on-Avon in His parents were well-off but not members of the nobility. Shakespeare was educated at the local village school, not at prestigious schools like Cambridge or Oxford. His plays (performed in the Globe Theater) were designed to entertain people of all classes. Actors were all men and performed in costume with limited sets.