Julius Caesar History
His Name Gaius Julius Caesar His given name was one of only eight names given to boys Julius His family name Caesar Name of Gaius’ branch of the Julius family (originally mean “hairy”) HAIR
Upbringing Poor patricians who lived among the plebians Good name with the upper class Mingled with both classes Good mother (Aurelia) Father died when Caesar was 15
Caesar Builds Prominence Uncle Marius: Six-time consul As a teenager, Caesar named Flamen Dialis High Priest of Jupiter, for life Extreme prestige Wealth However, not allowed to Touch metal Ride horses See corpses So Caesar left Rome
Caesar Enters Dangerous Times Uncle Marius is reelected a 7th time, but dies soon after Marius’ ally, Cinna, takes over Caesar marries Cinna’s daughter, Cornelia Without his uncle’s power to protect him, Caesar must be careful to protect himself against his uncle’s longtime enemy, Sulla
Caesar Enters Dangerous Times Cinna Dies The enemy Sulla takes over Rome and all leftover Marius supporters with the help of Crassus and Pompey Sulla names himself dictator He demands Caesar divorce Cornelia and takes away his Flamen Dialis title
Caesar Regroups Caesar’s family beg for his life and he is pardoned Although not exiled, he leaves Italy anyway He joins the Army in Asia Minor and achieves title of corona civica, another extremely high honor Returns to Rome and builds up his reputation again
A Roman Government Refresher Patricians: Full citizens Plebian: Partial citizens Slaves: No rights as citizens
A Roman Government Refresher Consuls: Heads of state, usually 2 elected by Senate Senate: Legislature elected to represent the citizens Plebiscite: Legislature elected to represent the Plebians (advisory only) Tribunes: Local reps of plebians within specific Roman districts
60 BC Caesar Crassius Pompey Gaul, Southern France, Britain, Germany Southern Italy Pompey Greece, Asia Minor, etc.
51 BC Crassus Dies Pompey & Senate scheme for total control of Rome; order Caesar to disband armies
51 BC Caesar Refuses and attacks Rome. He wins and sends Pompey to exile where he dies in Egypt
Caesar’s Reign 48 BC: Named dictator by the senate 46 BC: Named dictator for 10 years 45 BC: Named dictator for life 45 BC: Caesar defeats Pompey’s sons in Munda, Spain 44 BC: Caesar seeks to be named king