The World of Julius Caesar

753 BC Rome is founded on the banks of the Tiber River in Italy. Rome is founded on the banks of the Tiber River in Italy.

616BC--509 BC Kings ruled in early Rome, until the last king, Tarquin the Proud, behaved so badly and was such a tyrant that the people rose up against him and created the beginnings of the famous Roman Republic. Kings ruled in early Rome, until the last king, Tarquin the Proud, behaved so badly and was such a tyrant that the people rose up against him and created the beginnings of the famous Roman Republic. After this, the possibility of a king ruling Rome was anathema to the public and a terrifying concept to be avoided at all costs. After this, the possibility of a king ruling Rome was anathema to the public and a terrifying concept to be avoided at all costs.

508 BC- 55 BC- The ROMAN REPUBLIC! Governing structure of the Republic Governing structure of the Republic The Senate- similar to the modern United States Senate in that elected representatives create policies, control taxation, and other various government functions. However, the representatives always came from the Patrician Class and although the Plebes could vote, their voice counted very little or was often discounted by the powerful patricians. The Senate- similar to the modern United States Senate in that elected representatives create policies, control taxation, and other various government functions. However, the representatives always came from the Patrician Class and although the Plebes could vote, their voice counted very little or was often discounted by the powerful patricians. The Consuls- The Senate would be controlled by two consuls that would basically act as joint presidents so that neither man could gain complete power and make himself a king. Consuls and Praetors alone carried Imperium in the Roman Republic. Consuls were reelected yearly. The Consuls- The Senate would be controlled by two consuls that would basically act as joint presidents so that neither man could gain complete power and make himself a king. Consuls and Praetors alone carried Imperium in the Roman Republic. Consuls were reelected yearly. *Imperium- The right to command an army for the glory of Rome. *Imperium- The right to command an army for the glory of Rome.

508 BC- 55 BC- The ROMAN REPUBLIC! (cont’d.) Structure of Roman society- Structure of Roman society- Patricians- The Roman Aristocracy. These wealthy, high-born citizens could belong to the Senate and make laws. They controlled the government, the army, and the state religion. They lived general lives of luxury and leisure. Patricians strictly married other Patricians in order to maintain wealth and gain power. Patricians- The Roman Aristocracy. These wealthy, high-born citizens could belong to the Senate and make laws. They controlled the government, the army, and the state religion. They lived general lives of luxury and leisure. Patricians strictly married other Patricians in order to maintain wealth and gain power. Plebians- The Roman Poor. Plebians were freed slaves, peasant farmers, and the workers of the Roman society. Plebians had to serve in the Roman Army, but were denied many rights. They could not hold office, vote on laws, or become priests. A Plebe would remain a plebe for life, regardless of any monetary gain during his lifetime. Plebians- The Roman Poor. Plebians were freed slaves, peasant farmers, and the workers of the Roman society. Plebians had to serve in the Roman Army, but were denied many rights. They could not hold office, vote on laws, or become priests. A Plebe would remain a plebe for life, regardless of any monetary gain during his lifetime. *Tribunes- Patrician men appointed to help improve the plebians’ lives. *Tribunes- Patrician men appointed to help improve the plebians’ lives.

100 BC Julius Caesar born to Patrician parents who claimed to derive from Venus. Julius Caesar born to Patrician parents who claimed to derive from Venus.

79 BC- 63 BC Caesar gathers fame and power as a Roman leader and extremely talented military general. Caesar gathers fame and power as a Roman leader and extremely talented military general.

The Triumvirate Caesar Pompey Crassus Caesar Pompey Crassus

59 BC- The First Triumvirate is formed between Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Lucinius Crassus. Triumverate- Three-man rule, in which three men would equally split the governing power instead of the normal two consuls. Triumverate- Three-man rule, in which three men would equally split the governing power instead of the normal two consuls. Both Pompey and Caesar were popular with the Roman people for their large military victories, whereas Crassus was famous for his extreme wealth. (He was the Bill Gates of the times.) Both Pompey and Caesar were popular with the Roman people for their large military victories, whereas Crassus was famous for his extreme wealth. (He was the Bill Gates of the times.) Crassus was quickly killed off in a expedition to the Parthian empire in the Middle East, leaving Pompey and Caesar to accumulate greater and greater amounts of power respectively. Crassus was quickly killed off in a expedition to the Parthian empire in the Middle East, leaving Pompey and Caesar to accumulate greater and greater amounts of power respectively.

49 BC- Civil War begins! Julius Caesar had spent the previous years conquering the majority of Gaul (France) and was returning victoriously with his army to Rome, when he was ordered to disband his army before entering the Roman city boundaries. Rather than follow directions, he famously crosses a small river called The Rubicon with his army, declaring, “The die is cast!” This effectively declared war on Pompey. Julius Caesar had spent the previous years conquering the majority of Gaul (France) and was returning victoriously with his army to Rome, when he was ordered to disband his army before entering the Roman city boundaries. Rather than follow directions, he famously crosses a small river called The Rubicon with his army, declaring, “The die is cast!” This effectively declared war on Pompey.

48 BC Caesar chases Pompey all the way to Egypt, where the Egyptians surprise him with the gift of Pompey’s head. Caesar chases Pompey all the way to Egypt, where the Egyptians surprise him with the gift of Pompey’s head. Caesar begins his well- known affair with the Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. She gives birth to a son named, Caesarion, after the baby’s father. Caesar begins his well- known affair with the Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. She gives birth to a son named, Caesarion, after the baby’s father.

47 BC 47 BC- Caesar returns to Rome. He is now the only remaining member of the original Triumvirate and is bestowed the title of dictator. He remarks, “Vini, vidi, vici.” (I came. I saw. I conquered.) 47 BC- Caesar returns to Rome. He is now the only remaining member of the original Triumvirate and is bestowed the title of dictator. He remarks, “Vini, vidi, vici.” (I came. I saw. I conquered.) Dictator- a ruler who has total power and must answer to no higher authority. He differs from a King in that he cannot pass his authority on to his heirs. Dictator- a ruler who has total power and must answer to no higher authority. He differs from a King in that he cannot pass his authority on to his heirs.

45-44 BC- Julius Caesar is having the best year ever! The Plebes loved him because he threw massive celebrations, cut their taxes, and tried to free many of the farmer slaves. The Plebes loved him because he threw massive celebrations, cut their taxes, and tried to free many of the farmer slaves. He is given rewards that no other leader has ever received in Roman history since the last of the kings. These include : Coins with his likeness that emphasized his possible relationship to the Goddess Venus, the right to wear the Laurel Wreath at all times, the right to wear a purple and gold toga (the color of royalty), and inscriptions on his possessions like “ to the unconquerable god” etc. He is given rewards that no other leader has ever received in Roman history since the last of the kings. These include : Coins with his likeness that emphasized his possible relationship to the Goddess Venus, the right to wear the Laurel Wreath at all times, the right to wear a purple and gold toga (the color of royalty), and inscriptions on his possessions like “ to the unconquerable god” etc.

February, 44 BC Julius Caesar is elected dictator for life. As the play opens, he is being honored at the feast of Lupercalia, a fertility festival where the young men of the city run naked through the streets and slap little leather slats on all of the women which legend says increases their fertility for the coming year. Julius Caesar is elected dictator for life. As the play opens, he is being honored at the feast of Lupercalia, a fertility festival where the young men of the city run naked through the streets and slap little leather slats on all of the women which legend says increases their fertility for the coming year. THE PLAY OPENS. THE PLAY OPENS.

Caesar as a soldier 46 B.C. made dictator 46 B.C. made dictator 46 B.C. made dictator for 10-year term 46 B.C. made dictator for 10-year term 44 B.C. made dictator for life 44 B.C. made dictator for life Natural commander Natural commander Instilled pride and morale in the troops Instilled pride and morale in the troops Fought side by side with his men Fought side by side with his men

Caesar as a leader Fought for people and justice. Fought for people and justice. Wanted to eliminate their debts Wanted to eliminate their debts Gave the Gauls the right to vote Gave the Gauls the right to vote

Caesar as a man Writer Writer Orator Orator Politician Politician Statesman Statesman Epileptic Epileptic Deaf in one ear. Deaf in one ear.