Transcript Julius Caesar`s Rome Notes Powerpoint 2009

The World of
Julius Caesar
753 BC

Rome is founded on the banks of the Tiber River
in Italy.
616BC--509 BC
Kings ruled in early Rome, until the last
king, Tarquin the Proud, behaved so badly
and was such a tyrant that the people rose
up against him and created the beginnings
of the famous Roman Republic.


After this, the possibility of a king ruling Rome
was anathema to the public and a terrifying
concept to be avoided at all costs.
508 BC- 55 BCThe ROMAN REPUBLIC!

Governing structure of the Republic



The Senate- similar to the modern United States Senate in that
elected representatives create policies, control taxation, and other
various government functions. However, the representatives
always came from the Patrician Class and although the Plebes
could vote, their voice counted very little or was often discounted
by the powerful patricians.
The Consuls- The Senate would be controlled by two consuls
that would basically act as joint presidents so that neither man
could gain complete power and make himself a king. Consuls
and Praetors alone carried Imperium in the Roman Republic.
Consuls were reelected yearly.
*Imperium- The right to command an army for the
glory of Rome.
508 BC- 55 BCThe ROMAN REPUBLIC! (cont’d.)


Structure of Roman society
Patricians- The Roman Aristocracy. These wealthy, high-born
citizens could belong to the Senate and make laws. They
controlled the government, the army, and the state religion.
They lived general lives of luxury and leisure. Patricians
strictly married other Patricians in order to maintain wealth
and gain power.

Plebians- The Roman Poor. Plebians were freed slaves,
peasant farmers, and the workers of the Roman society.
Plebians had to serve in the Roman Army, but were denied
many rights. They could not hold office, vote on laws, or
become priests. A Plebe would remain a plebe for life,
regardless of any monetary gain during his lifetime.
*Tribunes- Patrician men appointed to help improve the
plebians’ lives.
100 BC

Julius Caesar born to Patrician parents who
claimed to derive from Venus.
79 BC- 63 BC

Caesar gathers fame and
power as a Roman
leader and extremely
talented military
general.
The Triumvirate

Caesar
Pompey
Crassus
59 BC- The First Triumvirate is formed
between Julius Caesar, Pompey the
Great, and Lucinius Crassus.

Triumverate- Three-man rule, in which three men
would equally split the governing power instead of the
normal two consuls.


Both Pompey and Caesar were popular with the Roman
people for their large military victories, whereas Crassus was
famous for his extreme wealth. (He was the Bill Gates of the
times.)
Crassus was quickly killed off in a expedition to the Parthian
empire in the Middle East, leaving Pompey and Caesar to
accumulate greater and greater amounts of power
respectively.
49 BC- Civil War begins!

Julius Caesar had spent the previous years
conquering the majority of Gaul (France) and was
returning victoriously with his army to Rome, when
he was ordered to disband his army before entering
the Roman city boundaries. Rather than follow
directions, he famously crosses a small river called
The Rubicon with his army, declaring, “The die is
cast!” This effectively declared war on Pompey.
48 BC


Caesar chases Pompey all
the way to Egypt, where the
Egyptians surprise him with
the gift of Pompey’s head.
Caesar begins his wellknown affair with the
Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra.
She gives birth to a son
named, Caesarion, after the
baby’s father.
47 BC
47 BC- Caesar returns to Rome.
He is now the only remaining
member of the original
Triumvirate and is bestowed the
title of dictator. He remarks,
“Vini, vidi, vici.” (I came. I saw.
I conquered.)


Dictator- a ruler who has total
power and must answer to no
higher authority. He differs from a
King in that he cannot pass his
authority on to his heirs.


45-44 BC- Julius Caesar is
having the best year ever!
The Plebes loved him because he threw massive celebrations, cut
their taxes, and tried to free many of the farmer slaves.
He is given rewards that no other leader has ever received in Roman
history since the last of the kings. These include : Coins with his
likeness that emphasized his possible relationship to the Goddess
Venus, the right to wear the Laurel Wreath at all times, the right to
wear a purple and gold toga (the color of royalty), and inscriptions on
his possessions like “ to the unconquerable god” etc.
February, 44 BC


Julius Caesar is elected dictator for life. As the play
opens, he is being honored at the feast of
Lupercalia, a fertility festival where the young men
of the city run naked through the streets and slap
little leather slats on all of the women which legend
says increases their fertility for the coming year.
THE PLAY OPENS.
Caesar as a soldier






46 B.C. made dictator
46 B.C. made dictator for 10-year term
44 B.C. made dictator for life
Natural commander
Instilled pride and morale in the troops
Fought side by side with his men
Caesar as a leader



Fought for people and justice.
Wanted to eliminate their debts
Gave the Gauls the right to vote
Caesar as a man






Writer
Orator
Politician
Statesman
Epileptic
Deaf in one ear.