Transcript Intro to Julius Caesar PPT

LIFE IN CAESAR’S
TIME
Three Forms of Government
A monarchy is
run by a king.
Government run
by the people
through their
elected
representatives.
Government run
by one
individual.
During Caesar’s time, people fought over these governments.
SOCIETY
Emperors
Patricians
Equestrians
Plebieans
Slaves
oWore a toga that was entirely purple
oLived in the best villas
oHad the finest foods, furnishings, and clothing
oLeisurely
oGossipy
oYou couldn’t just get the throne because it was in your family,
you always had to fight for your position
oUsually involved murder and backstabbing
“[This is] what’s wrong with the system that Augustus
established. It’s a system that’s only as strong as the male
member of the family who comes to power is, emotionally
and physically. And while there were some very impressive
people, most notably Augustus, who assumed his role, there
were others who had a great deal wrong with them. And a lot
of what was wrong with them was merely living in this
household where people were constantly vying for power and
favor.” Judith Hallett
• Patricians wore a white
toga with a purple strip
along the edge.
• Privileged
• Dominated religion,
politics, and military
• Most are landowners
– They can be appointed by
an Emperor
• Required in order to
be an Emperor
• Education
– Literature, poetry,
mythology, history,
geography, Greek,
public speaking.
• Older students would
study law
Wore a purple striped toga
600 men
Sons of senators or
Roman citizens over 25 who had military experience
Nominated by the emperor
JOBS
Appoint new senators
Preside over senate
Propose legislation
No payment
Very few can afford it
PRIVILEGES
Special seating at
ceremonies and games
Hold offices at court
Wearing the toga
oLed and formed the calvary
oNew laws in 218 BC prevented Senators from engaging in
commerce. This allowed more businessmen
oSons of senators were automatically classified as Equestrians
oWorked as civil servants
• Lowest on scale
– Bakers, builders,
artisans
• Usually struggled
• Unable to record life
• Tried to save money
so they could move up
to Equestrian level
•  power and
population
• Always a risk of
uprising
• Emperors benefit to
keep them happy.
“The poor of the ancient world don’t speak to us. They don’t
leave their voices.. The writings that come to us from
antiquity are the writings of the elite. The art that comes is the
art of an elite . . .But the poor in any city are going to have a
very hard time making due. They’re going to be working on a
per day basis. And if there is rain and there is no work in
construction they are going to be close to starvation. “
Ronald Mellor
One key to constituency for Augustus was the Plebeian
population of Rome-- and that is basically the city mob. You
have several hundred thousand folks here who have no jobs
and, to put it very simply, who need to be kept off the streets,
and be kept from making trouble. Because it’s a very
volatile, combustible mix there.
Karl Galinsky
• Born: 100 BC
• Died: 44 BC
• Worked his way up in
office by
– Spending money for
public education
– Make laws to get rid of
taxes for farmers &
their debts
– Held public free
entertainment
TRIUMVARTE
Crassus
Pompey
Caesar
Crassus
• Slain in Mesopotamia
Pompey
• Jealous of Caesar’s
power and left
• Caesar followed
Pompey’s men and
eventually defeated
them.
• Pompey fled to Egypt
where he was later
killed.
Caesar
Caesar now had limitless power. The people began
to realize this, and they sent out a decree which
stated that he must disband his army or be an
enemy of the state. He accepted the challenge.
Absolute Ruler
48 BC: Dictator
46 BC: Dictator for 10
years
45 BC: Dictator for life
This is where the play begins.