Julius Caesar A Brief Background

Julius Caesar The events that take place in Shakespeare’s play take place in 44BC The events that take place in Shakespeare’s play take place in 44BC Prior to those events Romans debated and fought wars for centuries trying to decide the best form of government. Prior to those events Romans debated and fought wars for centuries trying to decide the best form of government. Monarchy, a republic or a dictatorship Monarchy, a republic or a dictatorship

Rome Up until 509 BC Rome was a monarchy Up until 509 BC Rome was a monarchy In 509 BC Tarquinius Superbus was evicted from the throne by the Brutus family and Rome became a republic In 509 BC Tarquinius Superbus was evicted from the throne by the Brutus family and Rome became a republic Rule by a group of wealthy Romans called patricians Rule by a group of wealthy Romans called patricians

Rome By 100 BC Rome was being ruled by a moderate democracy or a Senate By 100 BC Rome was being ruled by a moderate democracy or a Senate Julius Caesar was a patrician that gained the support of ‘the people’ by spending money for public entertainment and creating laws that freed farmers and tradesmen from heavy taxes. Julius Caesar was a patrician that gained the support of ‘the people’ by spending money for public entertainment and creating laws that freed farmers and tradesmen from heavy taxes. By 60 BC Rome was governed by a Triumvirate (a three-man rule), Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey By 60 BC Rome was governed by a Triumvirate (a three-man rule), Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey

Caesar In 58 BC, at the age of forty-four, Caesar was made governor of part of Gaul (southern France and northern Italy) In 58 BC, at the age of forty-four, Caesar was made governor of part of Gaul (southern France and northern Italy) He began his military career and during the next ten years he proceeded to conquer all of Gaul. He began his military career and during the next ten years he proceeded to conquer all of Gaul.

Caesar Crassus was killed in Parthia while he was on a military campaign. Crassus was killed in Parthia while he was on a military campaign. Trouble began to develop between Pompey and Caesar Trouble began to develop between Pompey and Caesar Pompey persuaded the Senate to order Caesar to disband and return home. Pompey persuaded the Senate to order Caesar to disband and return home. Caesar invaded Rome and made himself ruler. Caesar invaded Rome and made himself ruler.

Caesar Pompey fled to Greece Pompey fled to Greece Caesar defeated Pompey’s army at Pharasalia Caesar defeated Pompey’s army at Pharasalia Pompey fled to Egypt and was eventually murdered Pompey fled to Egypt and was eventually murdered Three years later, Caesar defeated both two of Pompey’s sons at Munda, Spain Three years later, Caesar defeated both two of Pompey’s sons at Munda, Spain Caesar was made dictator for life Caesar was made dictator for life

Caesar Shakespeare begins his play after these events have taken place Shakespeare begins his play after these events have taken place Caesar was master and leader of the entire Roman world Caesar was master and leader of the entire Roman world