Rome & Julius Caesar

Change in Rome• There was a change in Romans from the

Rome first ideal • Roman leaders start to put their own

needs first• There are a few men who represent this

but no one more than Julius Caesar• Though they were selfish they still did

some good things

Famous Figures• Pompey Magnus• Marcus Crassus• Mark Antony• Cleopatra• Julius Caesar

Pompey Magnus• Also known as Pompey

the Great• He was a plebian and a

Roman general • He became famous at a

young age for defeating a group of pirates

Pompey Magnus (contd.)• He was loved by the people because

of his victories in Spain• As he grew older and stayed in

Rome his fame faded• As Julius Caesar became more

popular and powerful Pompey sided with the Senate and the rich

Marcus Crassus• He was the richest man

in Rome• He was a patrician and

a Roman general• He was famous for

stopping a famous slave rebellion

Spartacus Rebellion

Marcus Crassus (contd.)• Crassus was extremely selfish and obsessed

with wealth and power• He became rich but he never became as

famous as he wanted• He was older when the two more famous and

skilled generals Pompey and Julius Caesar came to power• He faded from power as they both rose into

positions of power

Mark Antony• He was a patrician and

a Roman general • He was Julius Caesar’s

second-in-command• He was a great military

leader but a failure at everything else

• He would fight along side his troops

Mark Antony (contd.)• He was known for his violent nature,

loose moral living, and gambling• He was not qualified for the political

positions he was given • He would become one of the most

powerful men in Rome even though he was not very “sharp”

Cleopatra• She was the last pharaoh of

Egypt• She was very plain looking

but legend talks about her being very beautiful

• She was a master of seduction and used that skill to become leader of Egypt

• She was highly intelligent

Cleopatra (contd.)• She originally shared the rule of Egypt with

her brother• After seducing Julius Caesar she convinced

Caesar to make her sole leader of EgyptThey would have a love child that would

be Caesar’s only son by blood• She would do the same thing to another

famous Roman

Julius Caesar• He was a patrician and a

Roman general• One of the most famous

people in Roman history• He was very ambitious• He was famous for

conquering Gaul (modern day France) and sharing his troops hardships

Julius Caesar (contd.)• His popularity grew with the people

because of his many victories• Caesar was also liked because he

talked about changing things to make it better for the people• This led to tension between him and

the rich and powerful of Rome

The First Triumvirate• A group of the three most powerful men

in Rome• It was made up of Marcus Crassus,

Pompey Magnus, and Julius Caesar• The group had no official government

power• They agreed to share power instead of

competing against one another

Competition Intensifies• The competition became worse as the year

went on between Pompey and Julius Caesar• They were both friends and Pompey was

even married to Caesar’s daughter• The competition heated up for a few

reasons:Julius Caesar was becoming more popular

for his victories

Competition Intensifies Pompey’s popularity fades as he stays in

Rome and he sides with the richJulia, Caesar’s daughter, dies so the men

no longer share a family connectionMarcus Crassus dies so there is no one

to slow the competition downJulius Caesar is talking about making

changes to help the common people

The Final Straws• Pompey, with the help of the

senators, is elected sole consul instead of sharing it with Caesar• The Senate decides to vote to force

Caesar to come home• Caesar is told to leave his army and

to return to Rome alone

The Decision• Caesar has a decisionReturn home embarrassed and

maybe face criminal chargesInvade the city of Rome with his

army and break every ancient Roman rule and tradition

Crossing the Rubicon• The Rubicon river is the natural border that

marks the start of the ancient city of Rome• A Roman general could not enter the city

of Rome with a battle ready armyIt was one of the worst crimes a Roman

could commit It was one of the biggest insults to the gods

Crossing the Rubicon• A Roman army had to remove their armor

and weapons once they entered the city of Rome• By crossing the Rubicon Caesar is declaring

war on RomeIt is one of the most important events in

Roman history• Pompey and the senators are not prepared so

they leave Rome to prepare to fight

Civil War• Pompey and some important senators fight

against Caesar• The final battle is in 48 BCE in Brundisium,

GreeceCaesar & Antony are outnumbered about 2 to 1They still winCaesar allows the senators who surrender to

livePompey escapes to Egypt

Egypt• Pompey goes to Egypt to recruit an armyThe ruler of Egypt has his head cut off

as a peace offering to CaesarEgypt’s ruler wants to stay an

independent nation instead of being controlled by Rome• Caesar become furious about his friend’s

death and demands justice

Egypt (contd.)• With his soldiers Caesar replaces the

ruler of Egypt with Cleopatra• Egypt now become a client kingdom

of RomeIt is allowed to have its own ruler

and laws but they must pay taxes and provide crops to Rome

Caesar in Rome• Caesar is forced to return quickly to Rome

because Antony cannot run it• He begins reforms to make the country betterHe forgives debts for many peopleHe expands the amount of senatorsHe starts public building projects and puts

Romans to workHe expands the calendar