A Brief History of Rome A Brief History of Rome and Julius Caesar and Julius Caesar

RomeRome

Founded: Rough estimates 753 B.C.-Founded: Rough estimates 753 B.C.-501 A.D. (some consider the timeline 501 A.D. (some consider the timeline to go on another 150 more years)to go on another 150 more years)

Government: RepublicGovernment: Republic:: a government a government in which supreme power resides in a in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them representatives responsible to them and governing according to lawand governing according to law

-The republic shifted in its actual usage. -The republic shifted in its actual usage. At times it was a smattering of a At times it was a smattering of a monarchy, democracy, and a dictatorship monarchy, democracy, and a dictatorship depending on outside circumstances.depending on outside circumstances.

- Today, Rome is still considered the - Today, Rome is still considered the longest dominating civilization. Created longest dominating civilization. Created major militaristic, artistic, scientific, major militaristic, artistic, scientific, architectural, political, and religious architectural, political, and religious progress.progress.

Rome (con)Rome (con)

Rise of Julius CaesarRise of Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar: Gaius Julius Caesar: 13 July 100 BC – 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC15 March 44 BC

Family: Gens Julia (or the Julii)Family: Gens Julia (or the Julii) Political Affiliation: Populares Political Affiliation: Populares

(vs.optimates)(vs.optimates) Came to power through various political Came to power through various political

positions in Roman government and positions in Roman government and also was a strong general that also was a strong general that accumulated many victories.accumulated many victories.

Julius Caesar’s Reign of PowerJulius Caesar’s Reign of Power

Caesar became contender for the position Caesar became contender for the position of Consul. He had stiff competition. He of Consul. He had stiff competition. He formed the first Triumvirate with Pompey formed the first Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. This meant a three way and Crassus. This meant a three way split in power. Crassus was murdered in split in power. Crassus was murdered in his battle with the Parthians and Caesar his battle with the Parthians and Caesar and Pompey resumed control.and Pompey resumed control.

Caesar went on to conquer Gaul (France) Caesar went on to conquer Gaul (France) and Pompey grew jealous. Civil war was and Pompey grew jealous. Civil war was the result. the result.

Julius Caesar’s Reign of PowerJulius Caesar’s Reign of Power

Caesar outnumbered 3:1 defeated Caesar outnumbered 3:1 defeated Pompey at Pharsalus (48 B.C.). Pompey at Pharsalus (48 B.C.). This battle was seen as militaristic This battle was seen as militaristic genius on the part of Caesar.genius on the part of Caesar.

Pompey went into exile and was Pompey went into exile and was murdered upon his arrival to Egypt.murdered upon his arrival to Egypt.

Caesar alone became Consul and Caesar alone became Consul and eventual dictator of Rome.eventual dictator of Rome.

Julius Caesar’s Reign of PowerJulius Caesar’s Reign of Power

During his reign of power Caesar had the During his reign of power Caesar had the backing of the people, but his antics backing of the people, but his antics angered the senate. The last straw angered the senate. The last straw came when he started to allow non-came when he started to allow non-romans (Celts, Gauls, etc.) to be romans (Celts, Gauls, etc.) to be members of the senate.members of the senate.

Revenge came when 60 members of the Revenge came when 60 members of the senate stabbed Caesar to death. This senate stabbed Caesar to death. This group included Cassius, Brutus, and group included Cassius, Brutus, and others.others.

Impact of Caesar’s Death and the Impact of Caesar’s Death and the Control for Power that FollowedControl for Power that Followed

Because of Mark Antony’s cunning ways Because of Mark Antony’s cunning ways he was able to gain support of the he was able to gain support of the people and banish the conspirators of people and banish the conspirators of Caesar’s murder.Caesar’s murder.

Mark Antony teamed up with rival Gaius Mark Antony teamed up with rival Gaius Octavius Thurinus, (Caesar’s nephew Octavius Thurinus, (Caesar’s nephew and adopted son), and Lepidus to and adopted son), and Lepidus to destroy the opposing force generated by destroy the opposing force generated by Brutus, Cato, and Cassius.Brutus, Cato, and Cassius.

Impact of Caesar’s Death and Impact of Caesar’s Death and the Control for Power that the Control for Power that

FollowedFollowed After a time Mark Antony and After a time Mark Antony and

Octavius fueled another Civil War Octavius fueled another Civil War between each other. Octavius was between each other. Octavius was the victor and became known as the the victor and became known as the greatest Roman Emperor of all time. greatest Roman Emperor of all time. He lived to be 77 and carried Rome He lived to be 77 and carried Rome through its Golden Age.through its Golden Age.

All other emperors would have to be All other emperors would have to be compared to him.compared to him.

Characters in Play (Historical Info)Characters in Play (Historical Info)

Mark Antony (January 14, 83 BC–August Mark Antony (January 14, 83 BC–August 1, 30 BC)1, 30 BC) Julius Caesar’s second cousin and second in Julius Caesar’s second cousin and second in

command. He was a strong military command. He was a strong military commander and popular with the people, commander and popular with the people, however, like Caesar, he also did not mesh however, like Caesar, he also did not mesh with the Senate.with the Senate.

He had some major character flaws and was He had some major character flaws and was considered a brash, cocky, and difficult considered a brash, cocky, and difficult person. He later fueded with Octavian and person. He later fueded with Octavian and fellfell

Characters in Play (Historical Characters in Play (Historical Info)Info)

in love with Cleopatra. Octavian in love with Cleopatra. Octavian changed peoples opinions of Mark changed peoples opinions of Mark Antony when he read what was Antony when he read what was supposedly his will to the public. It supposedly his will to the public. It made him look like he sided with made him look like he sided with Egypt more than Rome. He Egypt more than Rome. He eventually committed suicide with eventually committed suicide with Cleopatra. This became another Cleopatra. This became another subject of a Shakespeare poem.subject of a Shakespeare poem.

Characters in Play (Historical Characters in Play (Historical Info)Info)

Marcus Junius Brutus (85–42 BC) or Marcus Junius Brutus (85–42 BC) or Quintus Servilius Caepio BrutusQuintus Servilius Caepio Brutus His father was a legate to Pompey and Cato His father was a legate to Pompey and Cato

was a relative. His mother was Julius was a relative. His mother was Julius Caesar’s mistress.Caesar’s mistress.

At one point Caesar regarded Brutus as a At one point Caesar regarded Brutus as a son. Brutus was part of an opposing political son. Brutus was part of an opposing political force, but Caesar was exceptionally forgiving force, but Caesar was exceptionally forgiving and forgave him. Big mistake. Brutus was and forgave him. Big mistake. Brutus was later slaughtered by Mark Antony and later slaughtered by Mark Antony and Octavian’s forces. Octavian’s forces.

Characters in Play (Historical Characters in Play (Historical Info)Info)

Caesar Octavius Mark Antony

Characters in Play (Historical Characters in Play (Historical Info)Info)

Brutus Cassius

Characters in Play (Historical Characters in Play (Historical Info)Info)

Lepidus Cicero (Senator)