1. Julius Caesar background

2. Introduction Julius Caesar was born July 12, 100 B.C. in Rome
He was fairly well educated and from an average family
He began his career as a young patrician by holding military offices and then went on to hold public offices
In 83 BC he married Cornelia and their marriage ended in divorce a few years later—he couldn’t get along with her brother—nearly cost him his life

3. Biography:
Then in 59 BC he married Calpurnia; she’s his wife during the play

4. The history: Shakespeare used the setting of ancient Rome
At this time Rome was made up of 2 political parties: Optimates (aristocratic party) and the Populares (much like our present day Democratic party)
In 60 BC Rome had its first triumvirate—
3 man rule

5. History: Caesar –political power Pompey-military power Crassus- wealth
Caesar was governor of Gaul present day area of France in 58 BC; he held this office for 10 years.
Then a short time later a civil war broke out in Rome between Caesar and Pompey
The war continued and brought in Pompey’s sons in which Caesar defeated Pompey and his sons

6. The play opens
With Caesar’s victorious return from months of fighting abroad
Many including Pompey feared Caesar was becoming too ambitious
Caesar confirmed some of their fears as he didn’t want to return as a common citizen, but instead he marched his army into Rome and many thought he wanted to take control of the government

7. As the play opens cont.
But the common people love Caesar and don’t view him as a threat; they want to elect him a ruler which would give him power for 10 years.
Many senators disagree and some are even jealous of Caesar’s power
Rome had not had a king since 509 BC and they had been a republic—which declared all citizens were represented by the senate, so there was much concern with returning to a monarchy.

8. The play
Shakespeare uses omens, Roman superstitions, and the weather to create ominous settings and to foreshadow key events.