Transcript File
Caesar and Pompey: The Civil Wars, Part II Magistra Monroe December 2007 Gaius Julius Caesar Patrician Class Nephew of Marius Son-In-Law of Cinna Grew up being affected by the political turmoil First political appointment by Cinna: Flamen Dialis Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Patrician Class Sulla’s general during his dictatorship Had won previous military glory Had been given credit for the victory over Spartacus Caesar’s Early Years Had to flee Rome during Sulla’s dictatorship His later leniency is a reaction to this Presumably close to Marius and his aunt Julia Joined the staff of the governor of Asia in 80 BCE Had to get out of Rome Provided a head start to his political and military career 75 BCE, captured by Cicilian pirates, held for 38 days He had his revenge Going to study in Greece Caesar’s Rise to Power In 80 BCE, given the corona civica for his role in saving the lives of Romans at the seige of Miletus Senate had to stand and clap when he wore the crown in public In 73 BCE, returned to Rome at 27 to start his political career Soon after, his aunt Julia and his wife, Cornelia died Public funeral for Julia Went to Serve Vetius in Spain Alexander’s Statue Caesar’s Rise to Power 67 BC, Caesar marries again: Pompeia Sulla’s granddaughter Allying himself with the Optimates Started actions that put him with the Populares 65 BCE, elected curile aedile Public works: great way to have public support (temples and games) Almost went bankrupt, but gained IMMENSE popular support Public statues of Marius - pushing agenda Cataline Conspiracy Ran for Pontifex Maximus Income would relieve his debts Lifetime office - power against Senate 63 BCE - Cataline Conspiracy Lucius Sergius Catalina tried to take over governmnent Crassus turned the letters to the Senate Optimates tried to implicate Caesar Because of his close ties to Crassus, did not fly 62 BCE - became praetor After supporting Pompey, kicked out of office Angry mob threatened violence, reinstated 60 BCE - Became consul of Rome Caesar’s Wars Spanish Tribes (military victory he needed to become consul) Gallic Wars Against Vercengetorix Seige of Alesia De Bello Gallico Invasions of Britain 2 separate invasions Queen Cartimandua Helvetia The First Triumvirate 60 BCE - Caesar is consul (at 40!) Although he is popular with the people, he needed to ally himself with the Senate to ensure he was elected Allied himself with Crassus Pompey other prominent member of the Senate He wanted land reform- Caeasr could win popular support for the bill Triumvirate - loose alliance First Triumvirate, 2 Caesar passed laws to suit Crassus’s business interests Bibulus - other consul “bad omens” - Caesar as Pontifex Maximus The Consulship of Julius and Caesar Pompey married Julia, Caesar’s daughter Gave him army to conquer Gaul Caesar crosses the Rubicon 55 BCE - Caesar in Gaul Pompey and Crassus consuls Pompey: Spain, Caesar: Gaul, Crassus: Syria Pompey stays in Rome - problem Power now back in the hands of the Senate Alleged that the war in Gaul was illegal - angry because the value of gold was reduced by 1/3 Pompey backed the Senate Caesar petitioned Tribune to veto laws against him Marcus Antonius elected Tribune for first time Choice - surrender and face prosecution, or go to war with Rome Jan. 1, 49 BCE - Caesar declared enemy of the state Jan. 11, 49 BCE - Caesar crosses the Rubicon river, and marches on Rome. - “alia iacta est” Caesar (and Pompey) in Egypt People supported Caesar - had little trust in the Senate Senate thought that people would back the Republic Pompey and the Optimates flee to Brundisium Battle of Phrasalus (48 BCE) Fled to Egypt What a welcome! Cleopatra VII Philopater Descendant of Ptolemy I Soter Macedonian ruler of Egypt Intelligent, spoke many languages Only ruler to speak Egyptian Political Turmoil in Egypt Hanging out in Egypt Stopped a civil war between Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII Crowned King of Egypt in traditional Egyptian ceremony Married Cleopatra - had son, Cesarion Caesar in Rome Headed back to Rome Stopped and conquered some territory along the way Sextus Pompey in Munda, Spain Celebrated triumphs Proclaimed dictator perpetuus Dictator for life Wanted to be proclaimed king The Ides of March Senate devised a plan King of all but Rome Save the Republic Brutus and Cassius Calpurnia’s Dream Enters the Senate (theatre of Pompey) Stabbed 32 times Falls at the statue of Pompey Caesar’s Legacy Rome cannot be ruled by Senate any longer - trust and confidence in the Senate is destroyed Old patricians still clung to Old Ways Marc Antony and Octavian come to center stage now to punish Caesar’s murders What Happens Next… Antony and Octavian vs. Senators Antony and Cleopatra vs. Octavian Augustus as emperor of Rome