From Pompey & Caesar to

Marc Antony and Octavian

Gaius Marius Lucius Sulla

2nd Civil War 49-46 BCE– Caesar (the Populares) vs Pompey (the Optimates)

Gnaeus Pompeii106-48 BC

• Gained recognition in Spain, 77 BC then during the slave revolt of Spartacus (73-71 BC).

• He joined with Marcus Crassus, the richest man in Rome, -they marched to the gates of Rome and demanded consulships (Pompey was 36!)

• As Consuls, they canceled Sulla’s “reforms” and retired.

Pompey returns... • In 67 BCE, the Senate asked Pompey to deal with Pirates in the Med Sea and renewed fighting with King Mithradates

• Returning in 62 BCE, Pompey asked for land grants to his soldiers, which was rejected by the Senate.

• Such shortsightedness drove Pompey into an alliance with Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar, 100-44 BCE • Dad died when 15• At 17- married Cornelius

Cinna’s daughter• At 18- Sulla proscribed

his death!• 20- Roman soldier in

Bythnia• 21- lawyer in Rome• 22- Set out to Rhodes• Career: held various

administrative posts• At 38 – appointed

governor of Spain

• Governor of Spain, returned to Rome in 60 BC- intending to run for consul-Senate said no!

• Teamed up with Pompey and Crassus to form the 1st Triumverate and became a consul in 60 BCE

• After his term as consul, he took governorship over two northern territories (Gaul) and initiated the Gallic Wars

• Legacy: brought western Europe into the mainstream of civilization

Caesar’s Gallic Wars, 58 – 52 BCE

Caesar’s victories over the Gauls (Celts) were incredible… sending back to Rome untold wealth from plunder and almost one million slaves with another million counted as dead. (#’s are debatable!)

Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar, 52 BC (after the Battle of Alesia)

• Fearing his rising power, the Senate recalled Caesar… without his army!

• When Caesar crossed the Rubicon river in 49 BCE, he started a civil war.

• Pompey was convinced by Senate leaders to come out of retirement and defend the Senate

2nd Civil War 49-46 BCE– Caesar (the Populares) vs Pompey (the Optimates)

Caesar defeated Pompey- Battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE) then followed him to Egypt where Pompey hoped for allies.

• After Pharsalus, Pompey escaped to Egypt with Caesar chasing him only to be assassinated.

Caesar & Cleopatra

Caesar restored Cleopatra to power, gave her a son (Caesarion), then returned with her to Rome in 46 BCE

Caesar: “dictator for life”• Pardoned Senators

but raised members to 900

• Gave public land to his soldiers and the poor

• Granted citizenship to provinces

• Raised pay of soldiers

• Reorganized town governments and the courts

• Lowered taxes on provinces

• Started building projects

Caesar’s assassination and the 2nd Triumverate

• March 15, 44 BC• Marc Antony

joined with Octavian and Lepidus to defeat Brutus, Cassius & the other conspirators

• Both Antony and Octavian wanted to be number 1

Augustus, 27 BCE