1. Julius Caesar
Who was he?

2. Who is Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar was born in Rome on July 13, 100 B.C.E.
His mother Aurelia and his father Julius came from a noble background
When Caesar was 10 years old, his aunt married a very wealthy noble that increased their family’s social status
His uncle started out in the army and gained notoriety and respect over time in politics
He was elected to the consul in 108 B.C.E.
Caesar learned about politics from his uncle

3. Caesar’s Rise to Power
After studying in politics under his uncle, Caesar joined the Roman military guarding Rome’s territory
He won many early battles that gave him a tough reputation
Caesar moved up on the political ladder
He took job after job within the military
He was known as a great public speaker who wasn’t afraid to voice his opinions
He was elected Consul in 59 B.C.E. with the help of his friend Pompey
In return, he promised to help give Pompey political power

4. The First Triumvirate Triumvirate = three men
Refers to a political coalition
In Ancient Rome, the First Triumvirate was an alliance between three political powers
Julius Caesar
Marcus Licinius Crassus
Pompey
As Rome expanded, they were constantly at war
The need for a dictator grew larger
The traditional idea for a dictator vanished and many men in power became tyrannical
Sulla served as dictator, Pompey helped him stifle civil war in Rome
After Sulla’s death, Pompey needed Crassus and Caesar to make up where he lacked
The three men aligned themselves with one another
Two were enemies
Two were only united by marriage in their family

5. Caesar vs. Pompey Caesar and Pompey, once friends, battled for power
Pompey was backed by the senate
Caesar was ordered to give up his conquest and return to Rome
Caesar refused and civil war broke out
Pompey and Caesar battled for the land and power of the Roman territory
In 48 B.C.E. Caesar and his armies brought down Pompey’s army
Pompey was forced to flee to Egypt
The Egyptians murdered Pompey and presented Caesar with his head

6. Cleopatra Became the queen of Egypt in 51 B.C.E. at the age of 18
Co-ruled with her father for 4 years
After his death she was forced to marry her younger brother
Her father was a friend of Rome while he was Pharaoh
Caesar had known Cleopatra when she was a young girl
When Caesar became dictator she was brought to him wrapped in a rug, and seduced him
Caesar helped her restore herself as sole ruler of Egypt
She and Caesar became lovers and had a son, Caesarion
He was Caesar’s only son
She and her son lived in a palace that Caesar built for them until his assassination
Because they were not married, Romans would not acknowledge him as Caesar’s son and heir to the throne

7. Caesar’s Accomplishments
Julius Caesar led many military conquests
He conquered Gaul
Modern day France and Belgium
He was known for saying “Veni, Vidi, Vici”
“I came, I saw, I conquered”
When he became dictator he focused on the rights of the plebeians
Gave land to the poor for farming
Use government money to pay for food for the plebeians
Gave pay to the Roman army
Perfected the Julian Calendar
Created in 45 B.C.E.
Based on astronomy

8. Assassination
As Caesar continued to gain control throughout Rome, he became a threat
The Senate was afraid he would make himself king
He was murdered by a group of 40 Roman senators called Liberators
They stabbed him to death in the Theatre of Pompey
Took place on the Ides of March (March 15) 44 B.C.E.
It is believed that his last words were… “Et tu, Brute?”
Means “You too, Brutus?”
Brutus was one of his closes friends and most trusted companions