Transcript Background for Shakespeare`s Julius Caesar

Background for
Shakespeare’s
Julius Caesar
Ancient Rome:
a blood soaked history…
The Origins of the Great City
Founded 753 B.C. by twins Romulus and
Remus.
 Descendents of Aeneas (Trojan who fled
to Italy after the fall of Troy).
 Both twins were thrown into the Tiber
River as babies by an uncle who felt that
his power was being threatened.

The Origins of the Great City
They floated down the river, were found in
a basket, and nursed to health by a
female wolf (implications).
 The brothers founded the city of Rome
together until a quarrel took place
between them, resulting in Romulus’
murder of Remus. Romulus became the
first King of Rome.
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Political History and
Fluctuation of Political Systems
Kings continued to rule Rome for many
years.
 Last King of Rome was the tyrant Tarquin,
a completely evil and corrupt king.
 509 B.C. Junius Brutus (NOT the same
Marcus Brutus we will meet in the play,
but a distant ancestor) overthrew Tarquin
and helped create the Roman Republic.

Political History and
Fluctuation of Political Systems

The Roman Republic developed a government of
many levels.
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Power was kept in the hands of the patricians (the
wealthy, ruling power) but were “balanced” by the
plebeians (working class citizens, represented in
Roman government but lacking in any real power. Does
not include slaves, foreigners, and women).
The highest ranking officials in the Roman
Republic were the two consuls (each elected to
carry out a one year term).
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The consuls were elected in pairs, one senior consul and
one junior consul.
They were the commanders in chief of the army and
held all real executive power. Each consul could veto
the actions of the other.
Julius Caesar became a consul in 59 B.C.
Political History and
Fluctuation of Political Systems
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The Senate included 600 members of the
wealthy (patrician) class. This was the ruling
body of the Republic.
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High Roman Officials, such as consuls, were also
senators. The Senate’s decrees became law unless they
were vetoed by tribunes.
The ten Tribunes were the only plebeians who
were elected officials.
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“In theory”, the tribunes could check the power of
senators and protect the rights of ordinary citizens.
They had “the power” to veto any Senate decree and
keep it from becoming law.
Tribunes were also immune from arrest. This prevented
the patricians from silencing a tribune by throwing him
in jail. Consequently, many tribunes were assassinated
when they stood in the way of a senator’s ambition.
Shakespeare’s Sources:

Shakespeare based Caesar on written
accounts of Roman History, especially
Plutarch’s (Greek Historian, born 90
years after Caesar’s assassination) Lives
of the Noble Greeks and Romans.
Caesar’s Own History
Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.)
 Julius Caesar was elected consul after his
victory over Spain.
 Became part of the First Triumvirate
(government controlled by three people)
along with Pompey and Crassus.
 Governed territory of Gaul (France,
Belgium, and Italy). He expanded the
region with brilliant military conquests,
gaining great fame as a general.
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Caesar’s Own History
Pompey became suspicious of Caesar’s
power. Caesar defeated Pompey in the
Battle of Pharsalus in 48 B.C.
 He took complete control of the Roman
government in 45. B.C. and was named
“dictator for life.”
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Cleopatra’s Arrival in Rome
Caesar had become acquainted with
Cleopatra in 48 B.C. They had fallen in
love and had a child.
 Cleopatra was an ambitious woman. She
wanted Caesar to become King and make
her Queen of Rome.
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Cleopatra’s Arrival in Rome
Discrimination of “foreign queen.”
 44 B.C. Caesar was killed by his best
friend Brutus.
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Brutus claimed that Caesar’s murder was in
preservation of the Roman Republic.
Caesar’s death led to the birth of the Roman
Empire.
Caesar’s Alliances
(and Assassins)
Mark Antony:
 Truly Caesar’s best friend.
 Became a great general who was popular with
both the army and the Roman People.
 After Caesar’s death, Antony created an alliance
with Octavius Caesar (Julius Caesar’s nephew)
and Lepidus, another general.
 They created the Second Triumvirate.
Together they defeated Brutus and Cassius at
the Battle of Philippi. Afterwards, they killed
hundreds of political enemies.
Caesar’s Alliances
(and Assassins)
Mark Antony later joined forces with
Cleopatra and attempted to overthrow
Octavius at the Battle of Actium in 31
B.C... They failed in their attempt, and
Mark Antony and Cleopatra committed
suicide.
 Octavius became the sole rule of Rome.
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Caesar’s Alliances
(and Assassins)
Marcus Junius Brutus:
 Born in 85 B.C.
 Descended from Junius Brutus who
defeated the last king of Rome.
 As a result, he was known as a great
defender of the Roman Republic.
 During the civil wars between Caesar and
Pompey, Brutus fought with Pompey.
Caesar’s Alliances
(and Assassins)
He was pardoned by Caesar after and
given a key position in the new
government.
 However, Brutus feared that Caesar could
become King and joined the conspiracy to
assassinate the dictator.
 He was decidedly unprepared for the
chaos that followed Caesar’s death.
 Eventually committed suicide in 42 B.C.
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Caesar’s Alliances
(and Assassins)
Gaius “Cassius” Longinus:
 A Roman General.
 Fought with Pompey the Great against
Julius Caesar.
 After Caesar’s defeat, Cassius
surrendered to him his fleet.
 Caesar pardoned Cassius and appointed
him a court administrator.
Caesar’s Alliances
(and Assassins)
Cassius opposed Caesar’s plans to make
himself Rome’s sole ruler.
 Recruited Brutus to the conspiracy to
assassinate Caesar.
 Cassius committed suicide after his army
was defeated by the Second Triumvirate
at Philippi.
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