Julius Caesar
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Murry Bergtraum HS,New York, NY
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Gaius Julius Caesar (100 - 44
BCE)
"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a
Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find
ourselves dishonourable graves."
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar -
William Shakespeare
THE RISE OF JULIUS CAESAR
I. With
Marius and Sulla removed from Rome, a power vacum develops.
1).Three
influential Romans rise to challenge for the leadership of the Roman
government.2).Pompey (106-48 BC); A patrician optimate, he was one of the most
influential men in Rome. He had very deep support from the Roman
senate.3).Crassus (112-53 BC); Also a patrician optimate, but with less support
among the senate. He was Sulla's protege and a military hero as a result of the
suppression of the Slave revolt led by Spartacus in 73 BC. He was considered the
wealthiest man in Rome.4).A populare and nephew of Marius, he was also a member
of the one of the oldest families in Rome. He was opposed by the Senate and was
a close friend of Crassus.
II. The three Romans reach a compromise
and rule Rome as the "First Triumvirate."
1.Pompey and Crassus were
the consuls of Rome.2.In a surprise move, they repealled many of Sulla's reforms
and stripped much of the power from the senate.3.In an attempt to placate the
populares, Pompey and Crassus decide to make Julius Caesar a Consul without
power.4.Although officially part of the government, Caesar did not trust Pompey
or Crassus.
III. Julius Caesar decides to leave Rome for a foreign
outpost.
1.Caesar appoints himself Proconsul of Gaul.2.Action was
designed to remove himself from Roman politics and also recruit a loyal army
much as Marius had done.3.Caesar meets limited success in Gaul but eventually
brings it under Roman control by 55 BC.4.He sends continuous dispatches back to
Rome. These become known as the "Commentaries on the Gallic War".5.Caesar
attempts to invade and conquer Britain but he is driven out by the
Celts.
IV. Julius Caesar returns to Rome and achieves total control
of the govenment.
1.Crassus meets an unexpected death during a
military campaign in Syria in 53 BC.2.Pompey declares himself sole Consul and
orders Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome.3.Caesar begins a march on
Rome with his army intact.4.He is warned not to "Cross the Rubicon" but he
disobeys, stating "The die is cast."5.The common people of Rome are obvious in
their support of Julius Caesar and even many optimates desert Pompey when it
becomes obvious he cannot defeat Caesar.6.Pompey flees Rome and is followed by
Caesar.7.He is eventually chased to Egypt, where Caesar follows him, has him
executed, and assists Cleopatra in her effort to gain the throne of
Egypt.
V. Julius Caesar establishes a dictatorship (49-44
BC).
1.Julius Caesar becomes a "Demogogue", or one who makes use of
popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.2.In a
series of political moves, Caesar gains total control of the Roman government;
(A) Appointed dictator for 10 years; (B) Appointed dictator for life; (C)
Assumed title of "Imperator" or a general in a perpetual state of triumph; (D)
Assumed the title of "Pater Patriae" or "Father of his Country".3.Caesar wisely
turned down the title of King, a hated title since the days of the
Tarquins.
VI. Julius Caesar implements a series of reforms designed to
further consolidate his power.
1.He granted citizenship to many colonials,
thus widening his base of support.2.Granted pay to Proconsuls to remove
corruption and gain allegiance from them.3.Established a network of
spies.4.Instituted a policy of land reform designed to take power away from the
wealthy.5.Reduced the powers of the Senate so as to make it an advisory council
only.
VII. Caesar's reforms create a deep hatred from the wealthy and
powerful senate.
1.The large masses grow in their support of Caesar.2.At the
same time the senate fear his reforms and attempt to convince the people he was
on the verge of restoring the kingship.3.The senate despised him because of his
personal actions including (A) Having his head placed on the coin of the realm;
(B) having himself proclaimed a descended of Romulus and Remus; (C) Assuming the
oriental dress of the Egyptians; (D) Establishment of a religious cult which
many thought would lead to his self-proclaimed divinity.4.A group of senators,
led by Cassius and Brutus, who some suspect was Caesar's illegitmate son, plot
to assassinate Caesar.5.Despite many warnings, Caesar enters the Senate chamber
on March 15 (The Ides of March), 44 BC and is stabbed over 60 times.
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