1. The Roman Republic: Understanding Julius Caesar

2. Creating the republic: 509 Bce Romans establish a republic  Latin res publica, meaning "public affairs" Two consuls  1 year terms, 10 year gap between offices  Veto power over each The Senate advised the consuls  300 members  Set military & foreign affairs

3. The Roman Republic Intentionally divided power  checks and balances Designed to prevent one-man rule Intense competition between powerful Romans for elected office Elections very expensive  Feasts for voters, chariot races, gladiators, etc.  Bribery fairly common The Roman mob: unemployed Roman citizens  A potential threat kept happy with "bread and circuses“  Act I, scene I

4. Life after the consulship need to become a governor of a province or get a military command Caesar gets governorship of Gaul & control of a Roman army  A chance to get rich through taxes or war

5. Caesar in “Retirement” 59 BCE formed triumverate with Pompey & Crassus  Pompey marries Caesar's daughter Julia 58-54 BCE governorships in Gaul & Dalmatia 58-52 BCE The Gallic Wars: Caesar v. Germans in Gaul 49 BCE Senate ordered Caesar to turn his army over to a new governor and return to Rome  Pompey sides w/Senate

6. Caesar in a bind… If he returned to Rome, he could be put on trial or exiled If he refused to hand over army, he would be an outlaw  Senate could pass death sentence Caesar decided to:  Go to Rome  Bring his army along "Crossing the Rubicon"  "Alea jacta est."  "The die is cast."

7. Civil War: Caesar v. Pompey Caesar wins Returns to Rome  Where Julius Caesar begins Lenient toward political enemies Appointed dictator for life Assassination plot  "The Ides of March"  March 15, 44 BCE Bust of Pompeius Magnus

8. Renewed civil war: 2nd Triumverate  Octavius  Mark Antony  Marcus Lepidus Brutus, Cassius defeated End of Julius Caesar

9. Why Caesar? Play was first written and performed in 1599 Elizabeth I was elderly, had not named a successor  Serious concern about the outbreak of civil war if no heir named Play set in distant past, made conversation more comfortable  History everyone knew Play deals with concepts of honor, friendship, and betrayal