Julius CaesarShakespeare’s Roman Tragedy

I. History of Rome

A. 753 BC – Rome founded (mythological founder Romulus)

B. 509 BC – Roman Republic created C. 200 BC – Rome conquered GreeceD. 71 BC – Spartacus slave revolt crushedE. 48 BC – Julius Caesar (100-44BC) rose to powerF. 44 BC – JC assassinatedG. 27 BC – Octavius proclaimed 1st emperor

(became Caesar Augustus, ruled brilliantly for 40 years)

H. 476 AD – Roman Empire fell I. 1599 AD – Shakespeare wrote Julius Caesar

BC AD0

The Roman Empire

Before Rome collapsed due to its own internal corruption and the rise of Christianity, the empire stretched from Scotland to

the Sahara and from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Persian Gulf.

II. Caesar & Rome

A. JC was a Roman General/statesman (His books on warfare are still studied. Lost only two battles.)

B. Aristocratic family descended from Venus C. Married at 17. Ordered to divorce by Rome’s

dictator. Refused, banished, eventually pardoned. (Went to Greece to study while banished.)

D. Returned, elected director of public works/games (This position popularized him with the people.)

Caesar advanced politically despite attempts to discredit him. Some scholars believe Julius Caesar a

ruthless tyrant who ended the Roman Republic; others believe the Republic was already doomed and Caesar’s reforms and guidance stabilized the

Mediterranean world.

Portraits of Caesar

“The evil men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones.” -- Shakespeare’s Caesar

III. Caesar Takes Power

A. 60 BC – Caesar allied with Pompey & Crassus (The three form the 1st triumvirate.)

B. 53 BC – Crassus died, leaving Pompey in Rome and Caesar in Gaul (France)

C. 49 BC – Pompey ordered Caesar arrested (He convinced people Caesar was too ambitious.)

D. Caesar led 5,000 men across the Rubicon, starting a Civil War

E. Within 60 days, he ruled Italy. (Pompey fled to Egypt, later killed by common soldiers.)

F. Chasing Pompey, Caesar met, fell in love with, and helped win Egypt for Cleopatra.

G. 45 BC – Pompey’s sons led an army against Caesar but were defeated. (The play begins here.)

Crossing the Rubicon

IV. Caesar’s Reign

A. From 49-44BC, ruled as uncrowned monarch B. During his tenure, he…

1. Arrested dishonest governors 2. Improved public health (drained swamps)

3. Built aqueducts/sewers (still in use)

4. Granted suburban citizenship

5. Improved calendar (still in use)

6. Distributed free food7. Founded libraries8. Established colonies 9. Set up 1st postal system10. Established Olympics

Ancient Olympia

V. Themes in JC

A. Primary Theme – Focuses on the moral dilemma of allowing a tyrant to rule vs. betraying a friend and committing regicide

Although “Caesar” was JC’s family name, it became a ruler’s title in Rome and other countries. In

Russian it became “Czar” and in German it became “Kaiser.”

B. Thematic Topics 1. Leadership 2. Friendship3. Suicide 4. Fate & Superstition

VI. Roman Religion

A. Believed in many gods/goddessesB. Extremely superstitious C. Other philosophies existed

1. Stoicism – virtue is life’s goala. Emotions not to be

shownb. Man is his own judgec. Brutus’s philosophy

2. Epicureanism – pleasure is life’s goal

a. Greatest evil is fearb. No gods or afterlifec. Cassius’s philosophy