Caesar and Rome Background

Two thousand years ago, the world was ruled by Rome. From England to Africa and from Syria to Spain, one in every four people on earth lived and died under Roman law.

The Roman Empire at 44 BC at the death of Caesar

Compare these two maps. The one on the left shows territories held by Rome before Caesar came to power; the map on the right shows how much Caesar expanded Roman territory.

Another way to compare the growth of the Roman Empire.

Monarchy to Empire Rome could not handle its own size and power Romans spent centuries debating and fighting civil wars while trying to decide on the most effective type of government Rome could not handle its own size and power Romans spent centuries debating and fighting civil wars while trying to decide on the most effective type of government Roman Forum

A Brief History of Roman Government  Monarchy: overthrown in 509 BCE  Republic: 509 – 100 BCE  Triumvirate (3-man rule): BCE  Dictatorship: 48 BCE until fall of Rome (apx. 476 CE/AD)  Monarchy: overthrown in 509 BCE  Republic: 509 – 100 BCE  Triumvirate (3-man rule): BCE  Dictatorship: 48 BCE until fall of Rome (apx. 476 CE/AD) Question: Which forms of Roman government lasted the longest?

Roman Republic Being a citizen of the Roman Republic meant that you could travel and trade throughout the entire area ruled by Rome. All conquered people had the opportunity to become citizens. Being a citizen of the Roman Republic meant that you could travel and trade throughout the entire area ruled by Rome. All conquered people had the opportunity to become citizens.

Republican Government SPQR= Senatus Populus Que Romanus ( Senate and the People of Rome ) Patricians = wealthy nobles Plebians = everybody else The Roman Republic was ruled by a Senate and the People SPQR= Senatus Populus Que Romanus ( Senate and the People of Rome ) Patricians = wealthy nobles Plebians = everybody else The Roman Republic was ruled by a Senate and the People

Senate: (Patricians) Headed by 2 elected Consuls (1 year term) Proposed laws, oversaw officials, and elected the consuls Dealt with foreign affairs and the military People (Plebians) organized by tribes elected 10 tribunes governed local affairs Senate: (Patricians) Headed by 2 elected Consuls (1 year term) Proposed laws, oversaw officials, and elected the consuls Dealt with foreign affairs and the military People (Plebians) organized by tribes elected 10 tribunes governed local affairs

Corruption in the Senate Expanded wealth and territory through a series of foreign wars Generals became more powerful, they began to ignore the Senate Internal corruption & conflict wracked the Senate Expanded wealth and territory through a series of foreign wars Generals became more powerful, they began to ignore the Senate Internal corruption & conflict wracked the Senate Enter…Julius Caesar!

Julius Caesar Born into an aristocratic family around 100 BCE Entered military and rose quickly through the military and political ranks General Consul Governor of Gaul Was a ruthless conqueror Wanted to return Rome to an uncorrupt republic. Born into an aristocratic family around 100 BCE Entered military and rose quickly through the military and political ranks General Consul Governor of Gaul Was a ruthless conqueror Wanted to return Rome to an uncorrupt republic. *I came, I saw, I conquered

First Triumvirate Caesar allied himself with two other political figures: Crassus - wealthy nobleman Pompey the Great - general Crassus and Pompey were rivals, but Caesar was able to bring them together Caesar was Governor of Gaul (modern-day France); recruits soldiers & subdues rest of population Crassus killed in battle, sets off a power struggle between Pompey & Caesar Caesar allied himself with two other political figures: Crassus - wealthy nobleman Pompey the Great - general Crassus and Pompey were rivals, but Caesar was able to bring them together Caesar was Governor of Gaul (modern-day France); recruits soldiers & subdues rest of population Crassus killed in battle, sets off a power struggle between Pompey & Caesar Crassus Pompey

Civil War  A nervous Senate calls on Caesar to resign and disband his army or risk being declared an 'Enemy of the State'.  Caesar marches on Rome, throwing the empire into civil war.  A nervous Senate calls on Caesar to resign and disband his army or risk being declared an 'Enemy of the State'.  Caesar marches on Rome, throwing the empire into civil war.

Civil War, continued  No legions were allowed in city of Rome, so Caesar settled his legions outside city walls. He defeated Pompey.  Caesar was generous in victory:  gave his rivals amnesty and allows them to return to government positions  What might be the advantages and disadvantages of Caesar allowing his rivals to return to government positions?  No legions were allowed in city of Rome, so Caesar settled his legions outside city walls. He defeated Pompey.  Caesar was generous in victory:  gave his rivals amnesty and allows them to return to government positions  What might be the advantages and disadvantages of Caesar allowing his rivals to return to government positions?

Caesar as Dictator  Position insecure  No heir- adopted great nephew Octavian (widely known as Augustus) after his death. Created many enemies due to civil war.  Reformed the Roman Calendar  Restructured local governments  Settled veteran soldiers into new homes  Granted citizenship to foreigners  Dictator for 2 years  Position insecure  No heir- adopted great nephew Octavian (widely known as Augustus) after his death. Created many enemies due to civil war.  Reformed the Roman Calendar  Restructured local governments  Settled veteran soldiers into new homes  Granted citizenship to foreigners  Dictator for 2 years

You will receive a copy of this slide for your notes Julius Caesar Characters Marcus Brutus- friend of Caesar, high- ranking nobleman, idealist, conspirator Portia- Brutus's wife & confidante, daughter of a political figure Cassius- general, unscrupulous & shrewd, organizes conspiracy Casca- conspirator, cynical poseur for Caesar Decius- conspirator Calpurnia- Caesar’s wife, superstitious and ambitious Julius Caesar- Roman general and senator, aspires to benevolent dictatorship Octavius Caesar - (Augustus), nephew, heir to throne Mark Antony- general, loyal follower of Caesar, passionate & impulsive M. Aemilus Lepidus- trusted by Octavius, easily controlled Soothsayer- oracle or seer, warns Caesar "beware the Ides of March"