Transcript Intro to Julius Caesar

Intro to Julius
Caesar
The history behind the fiction
The Real Gaius Julius Caesar:
Early Life
– Born in Subura, Rome in the year 100 B.C.
– From an aristocratic family that could trace
their bloodlines back to the founding of
Rome.
– His parents were well-off, but they weren't
rich by Roman standards.
– Starting at age six, he was taught by a
private tutor named Marcus Antonius
Gnipho.
–
Learned to read and write (Latin was all the
rage).
–
Learned about Roman law and public
speaking skills.
The Real Gaius Julius Caesar:
Family & Growing Up
– Family Ties:
–
Caesar's father died when he was sixteen
years old.
–
He became the head of the family and was
responsible for his mother, Aurelia, and his
sister, Julia.
–
At the age of seventeen he married
Cornelia, the daughter of a powerful
politician in Rome.
– Conflicts:
–
The current dictator of Rome, Sulla, was
enemies with both Caesar's uncle, Marius,
and Caesar's father-in-law Cinna.
–
Caesar joined the army and left Rome in
order to avoid Sulla and his allies.
The Real Gaius Julius Caesar:
The Beginning of Power
– Caesar’s Return to Rome:
–
After being kidnapped by pirates in 75 B.C., Caesar returned to Rome as a military hero, but also
a widower as Cornelia had died while he was away. (The family enemy, Sulla, died in 78 B.C.)
–
He made allies with powerful men such as the general Pompey the Great and the wealthy
Crassus. Caesar was an excellent speaker and the people of Rome loved him
–
He quickly rose up the ranks in the Roman government, first becoming aedile (think city level
government: managing roads, water and grain supplies), two years later becoming tribune (the
equivalent of a modern-day legislator), and three years after that becoming part of the First
Triumvirate of Power.
– Less than 15 years later:
–
At the age of 40 he was elected to consul. Think of this like a president, but there are two consuls
and they only serve for one year.
The Real Gaius Julius Caesar:
A Rise in Ranks
– Caesar steadily gained more power:
– At the end of his year as consul,
Caesar became governor of the
province of Gaul. Unfortunately, no
one notified Gaul this was going to
happen.
–
As governor was in charge of four
Roman legions (unit of measurement
in the army ranging from 3000 to 5200
soldiers per legion).
–
He was a very effective governor and
general, and conquered all of Gaul.
–
He gained the respect and honor from
his army and soon was considered
alongside Pompey as the greatest
general in the Roman army.
The Real Gaius Julius Caesar:
The Road to Triumph
– A Divide in the Triumvirate:
– Politics in Rome became increasingly hostile while Caesar was in Gaul.
– Many of the leaders were jealous of Caesar and his following. Even Pompey became
jealous and soon Caesar and Pompey became rivals.
– Caesar had the support of the people and Pompey had the support of the aristocrats.
– The Conquer of Rome:
– Caesar announced his intention to return to Rome and run for consul again.
– The Senate labeled him a traitor for not giving up his army as they demanded, and Caesar
began to march his army to Rome.
– Caesar took control of Rome in 49 BC and spent the next 18 months fighting Pompey. He
finally defeated Pompey, chasing him all the way to Egypt.
– When he reached Egypt, the young Pharaoh, Ptolemy VIII, had Pompey killed and
presented his head to Caesar as a gift.
The Real Gaius Julius Caesar:
A Sudden Ending
– A Triumphant Return:
–
In 46 BC Caesar returned to Rome as the most powerful man in the world.
–
The Senate made him dictator for life and he ruled like a king.
–
He filled the Senate with his supporters.
–
He built new buildings and temples in the city of Rome.
–
He changed the calendar to the now famous Julian calendar with 365 days and a leap year, choosing to
begin the year in January as it was named for the god, Janus.
– A Short-Lived Success
–
Some people in Rome felt that Caesar was too powerful, and worried that his rule would put an end to
the Roman Republic.
–
A plot was devised: let’s kill Caesar! Cassius and Brutus led the revolt.
–
On March 15, 44 BC Caesar entered the Senate for the last time. A group of men ran up to him and
began to attack him, ultimately killing Caesar. He was stabbed 23 times.