1. Julius Caesar

2. Names in Roman Times FYI:
Men in patrician, or aristocratic, families had three names: praenomen, nomen, and cognomen. Ex: Gauis Julius Caesar
Nomen referred to clan
Cognomen indicated family branch
Females had no name, but were called by clan name. Ex: Caesar’s daughter was called Julia

3. Roman Government
Government consisted of three groups: Senate, Magistrates, and the People
SENATE
The Senate contained around 600 members.
The senate was open to everyone, but contained mostly aristocrats who served their whole life

4. Roman Government Continued
MAGISTRATES
Government officials who were elected by the people.
They held office for one year
The People
The people were composed of two groups: Populus and the Plebs

5. Gauis Julius Caesar Lived from 100 - 44 BC
He gained experience as a soldier starting in 78 BC
He entered government there after and moved through government positions rapidly

6. Tension in Rome
Crassus and Pompey assembled large armies and approached Rome
Crassus and Pompey demanded things from the senate and were turned down
In 59 BC, Caesar proposed for the three of them (Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey) to share power as a Triumvirate

7. Triumvirate
Pompey gained settlements in the new colonies, Crassus received a revision in the Asian tax contract, and Caesar took command of the military
Their relationship became uneasy (they distrusted each other) but Pompey married Julia (Caesar’s daughter)
Some say Caesar was too power hungry

8. Triumvirate Continued
Crassus and his son were killed in battle
Bond between Pompey and Caesar weakened
Caesar took a band of troops and fled
Caesar was declared an enemy of Rome

9. Caesar vs. Pompey
Caesar confronted Pompey. Pompey’s troops outnumbered Caesar’s 47,000 to 22,000
Caesar won and celebrated by having an affair with Cleopatra in Egypt (she was the queen of Egypt)
He returned to Rome saying “I came, I saw, I conquered!” ("VENI, VIDI, VICI“)
Pompey and his son tried again but lost the fight and their own lives

10. Caesar’s Return
Caesar was showered with many honors after his defeat of Pompey and his son
This is the point in time where the play begins (Caesar’s return to Rome)
Corona Civica was the highest award for bravery. This is the headdress of leaves you see on Caesar’s head