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
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