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

CaesarCaesar

FamilyFamily BackgroundBackground

Julius Julius bornborn approx. approx. July 12, July 12, 100 BC100 BC

Mother: Aurelia Mother: Aurelia Father: Gaius Julius CaesarFather: Gaius Julius Caesar Noble family history, little Noble family history, little

wealth or power.wealth or power. The month “July” is named The month “July” is named

for Caesar.for Caesar.

The Early YearsThe Early Years He was betrothed to a wealthy young He was betrothed to a wealthy young

woman, Cossutia, but the union was called woman, Cossutia, but the union was called off.off.

At 18, he married Cornelia, the daughter of At 18, he married Cornelia, the daughter of a member of the Popular faction instead.a member of the Popular faction instead.

They had a child named Julia (Caesar’s only They had a child named Julia (Caesar’s only legitimate child).legitimate child).

Caesar went into hiding when the Optimate Caesar went into hiding when the Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he refused. wife and he refused.

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

Skilled as a soldier, became known for Skilled as a soldier, became known for skills. Awarded the civic crown for saving skills. Awarded the civic crown for saving the life of a citizen in battle.the life of a citizen in battle.

Pirates of 75 BCPirates of 75 BC Caesar was kidnapped on his Caesar was kidnapped on his

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

He warned them that he would He warned them that he would find and crucify them after his find and crucify them after his release.release.

True to his word, he tracked True to his word, he tracked down the pirates and crucified down the pirates and crucified them.them.

Alliances are formedAlliances are formed In 72 BC he was elected to military In 72 BC he was elected to military

tribune.tribune. His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BC His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BC

and he married Pompeia, the and he married Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla. granddaughter of Sulla.

In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the Senate.Senate.

65 elected curule aedile 65 elected curule aedile 63 - elected 63 - elected pontifus maximuspontifus maximus 63 BC- he divorced Pompeia63 BC- he divorced Pompeia 60 BC- the first Triumvirate was formed: 60 BC- the first Triumvirate was formed:

Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus.Crassus.

59 BC - Caesar’s daughter (Julia) married 59 BC - Caesar’s daughter (Julia) married Pompey the Great to strengthen their Pompey the Great to strengthen their alliance.alliance.

59 BC - Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter 59 BC - Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter of a leading member of Popular faction).of a leading member of Popular faction).

58 BC - to Gaul58 BC - to Gaul 54 BC - to Britain54 BC - to Britain Julia died in 54 BC in childbirth.Julia died in 54 BC in childbirth. 52 BC – back to Gaul (Battle of Alesia)52 BC – back to Gaul (Battle of Alesia)

Triumvirate FallsTriumvirate Falls Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BCCrassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BC In 52 BC Pompey moved to Optimate faction In 52 BC Pompey moved 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.

Caesar and Caesar and Pompey in a public split--neither Pompey in a public split--neither could yield without loss of honor and dignity,could yield without loss of honor and dignity,

In 49 BC Caesar led armies across the In 49 BC Caesar led armies across the Rubicon River--automatic civil war against Rubicon River--automatic civil war against Pompey.Pompey.

Pompey to Spain to gather troops, then to Pompey to Spain to gather troops, then to Greece. Caesar follows him to Greece.Greece. Caesar follows him to Greece.

Mid life PowerMid life Power 48 BC- Caesar traveled to 48 BC- Caesar traveled to

Pharsalus to battle Pompey. Pharsalus to battle Pompey. Though outnumbered Though outnumbered (20,000 to 46,000) Caesar (20,000 to 46,000) Caesar led his men to victory.led his men to victory.

All Roman citizens captured All Roman citizens captured were pardoned, including were pardoned, including Brutus. Pompey escaped to Brutus. Pompey escaped to Egypt.Egypt.

Military ExpansionMilitary Expansion

48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented 48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented with Pompey’s head. Cleopatra persuades Caesar to with Pompey’s head. Cleopatra persuades Caesar to help her gain rule in Egypt. help her gain rule in Egypt.

June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a client ruler June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a client ruler in alliance with Rome. Caesar returned to Rome. in alliance with Rome. Caesar returned to Rome. 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.

It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor that It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor that Caesar coined the phrase “Caesar coined the phrase “veni, vidi, viciveni, vidi, vici” which ” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”means “I came, I saw, I overcame”

Celebration and Celebration and RevolutionRevolution

Back in Rome he settled problems caused by Back in Rome he settled problems caused by Antony’s mismanagementAntony’s mismanagement

July 25, 46 BC the unchallenged Caesar July 25, 46 BC 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.

Proclaiming himself dictator for life, Caesar would Proclaiming himself dictator for life, Caesar would announce his decisions to the Senate and had announce his decisions to the Senate and had them entered on the record without debate or them entered on the record without debate or vote.vote.

April, 45 BC the sons of Pompey led a revolt in April, 45 BC the sons 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, 44BC Caesar attended March 15, 44BC Caesar attended

the last meeting of the Senate. the last meeting of the Senate. 60 conspirators, with concealed 60 conspirators, with concealed

daggers in their togas, struck daggers in their togas, struck Caesar no less than 23 times as Caesar no less than 23 times as he stood at the base of he stood at the base of Pompey’s statue. Pompey’s statue.

The conspirators underestimated The conspirators underestimated Mark Antony, who had a whole Mark Antony, who had a whole legion behind him, as well as the legion behind him, as well as the keys to Caesar’s money boxes keys to Caesar’s money boxes and his will.and his will.