Transcript Introduction to Greek and Roman History

Introduction to Greek and Roman History
Lecture 18
The Ides of March and the last days of the Republic
Zela 46 BC
Denarius of Cleopatra
Cleopatra VII and
Ptolemy XV
Caesarion at the
temple of Dendera
Africa Nova
Cato’s
suicide "I were willing to be saved by grace of Caesar, I ought to go to him in
Cato’
suicide
person and see him alone; but I am unwilling to be under obligations to the tyrant for his
illegal acts. And he acts illegally in saving, as if their master, those over whom he has no
right at all to be the lord. However, if it is thy wish, let us consider jointly how thou mayest
obtain mercy for the three hundred." Plutarch, Life of Cato the Younger, 66.2
October 46: Caesar in Rome
When Caesar came back to Rome from Africa, to begin with, he made a boastful
speech to the people concerning his victory, asserting that he had subdued a
country large enough to furnish annually for the public treasury two hundred
thousand Attic bushels of grain, and three million pounds of olive oil. Next, he
celebrated triumphs, an Egyptian, a Pontic, and an African, the last not for his
victory over Scipio, but ostensibly over Juba the king. Plutarch, Life of Caesar 55.1
Forum Iulium, 54-46
Forum Iulium, 54-46
Silver denarius, R/ DICT PERPETVO CAESAR,
wreathed and veiled head of Caesar right; V/
SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus standing left, Victory in
right, long vertical scepter in left, shield at feet to
Julius Caesar. February-March 44 BC. AR Denarius (3.95
gm). L. Aemilius Buca, moneyer. CAESAR IM P M, laureate
head right; crescent behind / L AEMILIVS BVCA, Venus
standing left, holding Victoria and sceptre.
Denarius of Julius Caesar, Aeneas flees from Troy
42 Denarius from mint at Smyrna;
C. Cassius IMP Leibertas; Rev: Lentulus Spint
Julius Caesar (capite velato) pontifex Max
The Empire at the death of Caesar
Mutina, 21st April 43
When his designs were opposed by
Marcus Antonius, who was then consul,
and on whose help he had especially
counted, and Antony would not allow him
even common and ordinary justice without
the promise of a heavy bribe, he went
over to the aristocrats, who he knew
detested Antony, especially because he
was besieging Decimus Brutus at Mutina,
and trying to drive him by force of arms
from the province given him by Caesar
and ratified by the senate. Suetonius, Life
of Augustus, 10.2
Battle at Phillipi
The Battle of IMages