The Life and The Life and Death of Julius Death of Julius

CaesarCaesarBy; Michelle, Megan, By; Michelle, Megan,

and Melissaand Melissa

FamilyFamily BackgroundBackground Julius was born to Aurelia and Julius was born to Aurelia and

Gaius Julius Caesar approx. July Gaius Julius Caesar approx. July 12, 100 BCE12, 100 BCE

His family had noble roots, even His family had noble roots, even though they were neither rich though they were neither rich nor influentialnor influential

His father died around 85 BCE.His father died around 85 BCE. The month that Caesar was born The month that Caesar was born

was renamed “July” in his was renamed “July” in his honour.honour.

The Early YearsThe Early Years He was betrothed and possibly married a He was betrothed and possibly married a

wealthy young woman, Cossutia.wealthy young woman, Cossutia. When he was 18 his betrothal was When he was 18 his betrothal was

suddenly broken off, and he married the suddenly broken off, and he married the daughter of a member of the Popular daughter of a member of the Popular faction, Cornelia.faction, Cornelia.

They had a child named Julia. She was They had a child named Julia. She was Caesar’s only legitimate child.Caesar’s only legitimate child.

Caesar was forced to go into hiding when Caesar was forced to go into hiding when the Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered him the Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he refused. He to divorce his wife and he refused. He was eventually pardoned.was eventually pardoned.

When Sulla died in 78 BCE, Caesar When Sulla died in 78 BCE, Caesar returned to Rome to begin a career as an returned to Rome to begin a career as an orator and lawyer. orator and lawyer.

He was awarded the civic crown for He was awarded the civic crown for saving the life of a citizen in battle.saving the life of a citizen in battle.

Pirates of 75 BCEPirates of 75 BCE Caesar was kidnapped on his way to Caesar was kidnapped on his way to

Greece by Cilician Pirates. When he Greece by Cilician Pirates. When he was told that they meant to ask for was told that they meant to ask for 20 talents for his return, he insisted 20 talents for his return, he insisted that he was worth 50.that he was worth 50.

He maintained a friendly relationship He maintained a friendly relationship with the pirates but warned them with the pirates but warned them that he would find and crucify them that he would find and crucify them after his release.after his release.

Upon his release he kept true to his Upon his release he kept true to his promise and tracked the pirates promise and tracked the pirates down with the help of volunteers. down with the help of volunteers. However he slit their throats before However he slit their throats before their crucifixion because they had their crucifixion because they had treated him well.treated him well.

Alliances are formedAlliances are formed In 72 BCE he was elected to military tribune.In 72 BCE he was elected to military tribune. His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BCE and he His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BCE and he

remarried Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla. remarried Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla. In 68/67 BCE Caesar was elected into the Senate.In 68/67 BCE Caesar was elected into the Senate. 63 BCE he divorced Pompeia because she was 63 BCE he divorced Pompeia because she was

seeing another man.seeing another man. 60 BCE the first Triumvirate was formed.60 BCE the first Triumvirate was formed. The men that formed the Triumvirate were The men that formed the Triumvirate were

Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus.Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus. Caesar married his daughter to Pompey the Caesar married his daughter to Pompey the

Great to strengthen their alliance.Great to strengthen their alliance. Caesar married Calpurnia.Caesar married Calpurnia. His daughter died in 54 BCE in childbirth.His daughter died in 54 BCE in childbirth.

Triumvirate FallsTriumvirate Falls Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BCE.Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BCE. In 52 BCE Pompey moves to Optimate faction In 52 BCE Pompey moves to Optimate faction

because without Julia and Crassus there is because without Julia and Crassus there is nothing that links Pompey to Caesar.nothing that links Pompey to Caesar.

In 49 BCE Pompey’s legions were in Spain In 49 BCE Pompey’s legions were in Spain Caesar declared himself dictator in RomeCaesar declared himself dictator in Rome

Caesar then lead his own legions to Spain to Caesar then lead his own legions to Spain to head off Pompey’s forces. He allegedly said “ head off Pompey’s forces. He allegedly said “ I’m off to meet an army without a leader. I’m off to meet an army without a leader. When I return I shall meet a leader without an When I return I shall meet a leader without an army.” army.”

He than returned to Rome where he was He than returned to Rome where he was elected consul, which legalized his position.elected consul, which legalized his position.

Mid life PowerMid life Power 48BCE Caesar travelled to meet 48BCE Caesar travelled to meet

Pompey and his men, however he Pompey and his men, however he did not have enough ships to did not have enough ships to transport all his men. He crossed transport all his men. He crossed anyways, and upon their landing, anyways, and upon their landing, found themselves greatly found themselves greatly outnumbered. Pompey’s 46,000 men outnumbered. Pompey’s 46,000 men and Caesar’s 21,000 fought on the and Caesar’s 21,000 fought on the plains of Pharsalus, with Caesar’s plains of Pharsalus, with Caesar’s generalship leading them to victory.generalship leading them to victory.

He pardoned all Roman citizens who He pardoned all Roman citizens who were captured, including Brutus. were captured, including Brutus. Pompey escaped, and fled to Egypt.Pompey escaped, and fled to Egypt.

Military ExpansionMilitary Expansion

October 2, 48 BCE Caesar landed in Alexandria and October 2, 48 BCE Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented with Pompey’s head. Here he was was presented with Pompey’s head. Here he was approached by Cleopatra and asked to help put her on approached by Cleopatra and asked to help put her on the Egyptian throne. the Egyptian throne.

By June 23, 47 BCE, Cleopatra had been established as By June 23, 47 BCE, Cleopatra had been established as a client ruler in alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome, a client ruler in alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome, and either immediately after or before his departure, and either immediately after or before his departure, Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who she Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who she claimed belonged to Caesar.claimed belonged to Caesar.

Caeser travelled thorugh Asia Minor and settled the Caeser travelled thorugh Asia Minor and settled the disturbances there, including those made by disturbances there, including those made by Pharnaces, a rebellious King. It was after defeating Pharnaces, a rebellious King. It was after defeating Pharnaces that Caesar coined the phrase “Pharnaces that Caesar coined the phrase “veni, vidi, veni, vidi, vicivici” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”

Celebration and Celebration and RevolutionRevolution

When he arrived back in Rome he settled the When he arrived back in Rome he settled the problems that were caused by Antony’s problems that were caused by Antony’s mismanagementmismanagement

July 25, 46 BCE the unchallenged Caesar July 25, 46 BCE the unchallenged Caesar celebrated four splendid triumphs, over Gauls, celebrated four splendid triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent for Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent for Cleopatra.Cleopatra.

Although he nominally used the political Although he nominally used the political structure, at times he simply would announce his structure, at times he simply would announce his decisions to the Senate and had them entered on decisions to the Senate and had them entered on the record without debate of vote., because he the record without debate of vote., because he was holding the position of dictator.was holding the position of dictator.

April, 45 BCE the son of Pompey led a revolt in April, 45 BCE the son of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and Caesar had to go himself to gain Spain and Caesar had to go himself to gain victory.victory.

DeathDeath March 15, 44BCE Caesar attended March 15, 44BCE Caesar attended

the last meeting of the Senate the last meeting of the Senate before he was scheduled to before he was scheduled to depart to lead a military depart to lead a military campaign against the Parthinians. campaign against the Parthinians. Sixty conspirators also attended, Sixty conspirators also attended, with concealed daggers in the with concealed daggers in the togas, and struck Caesar no less togas, and struck Caesar no less than 23 times as he stood at the than 23 times as he stood at the base of Pompey’s statue. This is base of Pompey’s statue. This is where Caesar said the famous where Caesar said the famous phrase ‘Et tu, Brutus?’phrase ‘Et tu, Brutus?’

The conspirators didn’t think to The conspirators didn’t think to also kill Mark Antony, who had a also kill Mark Antony, who had a whole legion behind him, as well whole legion behind him, as well as the keys to Caesar’s money as the keys to Caesar’s money boxes and his will.boxes and his will.

Historical ImportanceHistorical Importance Caesar’s death marked the end of the Roman Caesar’s death marked the end of the Roman

Republic, and the beginning of the Roman Republic, and the beginning of the Roman Empire. The Second Triumvirate was formed as Empire. The Second Triumvirate was formed as well, giving power to both Marc Antony, and well, giving power to both Marc Antony, and Caesar’s son, Octavian. Octavian defeated Marc Caesar’s son, Octavian. Octavian defeated Marc Antony, who at this time was married to Antony, who at this time was married to Cleopatra (who had also had a relationship with Cleopatra (who had also had a relationship with Caesar) and the two committed suicide together, Caesar) and the two committed suicide together, leaving Octavian as the leader of the Roman leaving Octavian as the leader of the Roman Empire, which would last until 400 CE. Empire, which would last until 400 CE.

Caeser was a skilled general, and his leadership Caeser was a skilled general, and his leadership helped Rome gain more land. His rule as a helped Rome gain more land. His rule as a dictator lasted over ten years, although many of dictator lasted over ten years, although many of his decisions were made without the decision of his decisions were made without the decision of the senate.the senate.