1. Julius Caesar Background
The life and times of a Roman ruler

2. Political History
For centuries, Romans debated and even fought civil wars while trying to decide whether to be a monarchy, republic, or dictatorship.
Until 509 B.C., Rome was a monarchy.
But, in that year, the Brutus family evicted Tarquinius Superbus from the throne and Rome was established as a republic.

3. Political History
The people discovered, however, that they had merely exchanged rule by a king for rule by a group of wealthy Romans called patricians.
By 100 B.C., Rome was a moderate democracy in form: in actual practice, Rome was being ruled by the Senate.

4. Political History
Julius Caesar (102?-44 B.C.) was a patrician but cast his lot with the people, gaining their favor by:
spending money for public entertainment
establishing laws freeing farmers and tradesmen from heavy taxes

5. Political History
In 60 B.C., a triumvirate (a three-man rule) of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey was formed to govern Rome.
In 58 B.C., Caesar was made governor of part of Gaul (an area now encompassing southern France and northern Italy), and at the age of 44 began his military career.
During the next 10 years, he proceeded to conquer all of Gaul.

6. Political History
After Crassus was killed while conducting a military campaign in Parthia, trouble began to develop between Pompey and Caesar.
Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s popularity, persuaded the Senate to order Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome.

7. Political History
But Caesar, with his army, crossed the Rubicon River which separated Gaul from Italy, invaded Rome, and made himself absolute ruler of Rome.
Meanwhile, Pompey fled to Greece.
Caesar defeated Pompey’s army at Pharsalia (48 B.C.) and Pompey fled to Egypt where he was later murdered.

8. Political History
Three years after the battle of Pharsalia, Caesar defeated Pompey’s two sons at Munda, Spain.
By now, Caesar had been made dictator for life.
Thus, Shakespeare begins his play with Caesar returning in victory from Spain. Caesar was the undisputed leader and master of the entire Roman World.

9. Julius Caesar Terms Bondsman – Slave Commons – the common people
Consul – the chief magistrate and highest official in Roman republic
Dictator – total political control by one person
Plebian – the common people

10. Julius Caesar Terms
Praetor – Roman judge or magistrate next to consul in rank.
Rabblement/rout – the rabble, mob
Senators – mainly patricians (wealthy, high-born citizens) who make the laws
Tribune – a magistrate who protects the rights of the lower class
Triumvirate – rule by three men