JULIUS CAESAR

VENI, VIDI, VINCIT

I CAME, I SAW, I CONQUERED

EARLY LIFE Gāius Jūlius Caesar was born on July 12

or July 13, 100 BCE into a Patrician family.

EARLY LIFE Although Caesar’s family were aristocrats,

they were not wealthy by Roman standards. They lived in a lower class neighborhood in a humble home.

His father was also named Gaius Julius Caesar and his mother’s name was Aurilia Cottae.

He had two sisters both named Julia.

Early life Although little is known of his early life, Caesar grew up

during a period of great turmoil in the Roman Republic as the Social War waged between Rome and its Italian allies.

At sixteen, Julius’ father died and he became head of the family.

He became Flamen Dialis, high priest of Jupitor. He married Cornelia (daughter of Cinna, who controlled

Rome at the time). As power shifted in Rome, Caesar was targeted and he was

forced into hiding by Sulla. His uncle and father-in-law had already been murdered. Caesar lost his fortune too.

Thanks to efforts by his mother, Caesar was eventually allowed to return to Rome.

Career – the beginning Julius Caesar chose not to return to Rome. He instead joined the Roman military and

served in Asia. Over the next two years, Julius served with

distinction. He returned to Rome once Sulla retired. He worked as an orator (public speaker). He traveled to Rhodes to study rhetoric

and philosophy in 75 BCE.

Kidnapping As Caesar crossed the Aegean Sea, he was

kidnapped by Greek pirates. He felt the pirates were not demanding a

high enough ransom for him. He made them increase the amount from

20 gold talents to 50 gold talents. Once the ransom was paid, Caesar

organized a fleet and captured the pirates. He had them crucified.

Return to Rome After a campaign in Asia, Caesar returned

to Rome and was elected military tribune. Next he was elected quaestor in Rome and

then Spain. His first wife died during this period.

Encounter with “The Great” While in Spain, Caesar is said to have come upon a statue

of Alexander the Great. He was overcome with emotion and disappointment. Alexander had conquered most of the known world by the

time he was 33. Julius Caesar felt he had accomplished too little being the

same age. He asked to be relieved of his duties and he returned to

Rome to enter politics as aedile, where he improved public buildings and gained popularity in Rome.

He was also married for the second time upon his return to Pompeia

Pontifex Maximus Caesar beat out 2 other popular

candidates to become Pontifex Maximus. The position gave Caesar great political

and religious authority. Caesar bold decision to run for this

position permanently placed him at the heart of Roman politics.

The first triumvirate

Pompey

Crassus

Caesar

First Triumvirate (continued) Caesar was elected consul but needed

allies. He formed a triumvirate (rule by three)

with Pompey the Great and Crassus. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus or Pompey was

a great general at the time.

Marcus Licinius Crass or Crassus was a former consul and a very wealthy individual.

First Triumvirate (continued) Caesar need Pompey’s military influence

and Crassus’ wealth. The three formed an informal alliance. Pompey married Caesar only daughter

Julia to solidify the pact.

The Gallic Wars Caesar became governor of Transalpine Gaul and Illyria.

Gallic Wars (continued) Caesar was not satisfied with merely governing. He started the Gallic Wars and conquered most of what is

now Western Europe from the Atlantic to the Rhine River. He annexed all these areas to Rome. He even ventured to fight in Britain. Caesar is said to have conquered 800 cities controlled by

over 300 different tribes. Historian Plutarch’s account list 3 million killed in the

battles and another 1 million sold into slavery. Obviously these numbers are gross exagerations.

Caesar had, however, successful conquered areas in size and with enough speed to rival Alexander the Great.

And then there were two Despite Caesar’s military success, he was still

very unpopular with his fellow politicians in Rome. They feared he wanted to make himself king.

The triumvirate fell apart when Crassus is killed in military action.

Caesar tried to maintain his alliance with Pompey. Unfortunately Julia died, breaking both Caesar

and Pompey’s hearts. Pompey would break the alliance with Caesar and

give his support to Scipio, Caesar’s enemy. Pompey married his daughter.

Civil War in the Republic Caesar is ordered by Pompey and the

Senate to disband his army and return to Rome.

He is also informed that he will not be allowed to run for consul.

Caesar fears returning to Rome without the protection of his men.

Pompey charges him with insubordination and treason.

Iacta alea est – “The die is cast” Caesar crosses the Rubicon with one legion and civil war

begins January 10, 49 BCE. Scipio and Cato the Younger escape to the south while

Caesar attempts to follow Pompey. When Caesar cannot reach Pompey he turns his attention

to Hispania. " I set forth to fight an army without a leader, so as later to

fight a leader without an army." Caesar leaves Lepidus and Marc Antony in charge of Rome

while he pursued Pompey’s armies. After a 27 day march to Hispania, Caesar defeated

Pompey’s lieutenants. Caesar will eventually defeat the rest Pompey’s in Greece. Once elected dictator and then consul in Rome, Caesar will

follow Pompey to Alexandria.

Pompey’s head on a platter When Caesar arrived in Alexandria, King

Ptolemy XIII offered him a gift – Pompey’s head on a platter.

Caesar then became involved in a civil war between Ptolemy and his wife and sister Queen Cleopatra VII.

The love affair Caesar sided with Cleopatra, defeated her brother’s army

and gave Cleopatra the throne. Cleopatra gave birth to Caesar’s only son. Caesar moved Cleopatra to a lavish estate in Rome. The two never married because under Roman law marriage

could only legally take place between two citizen families. Although Caesar was married, his affair with Cleopatra

lasted 14 years. Their relationship was very unpopular among the Romans. Many became particularly offended when Caesar placed a

golden statue of his lover in the temple of Venus Genetrix.

Veni, Vidi, Vincit After leaving Egypt, Caesar went to the

Middle East. His forces annihilated those of King

Pharnacus II in the Battle of Zela. The victory was so fast and so complete

that Caesar said “Veni, Vidi, Vincit” – “I came, I saw, I conquered”.

Caesar then quelled the last remnants of his enemies in various locations.

Caesar in power Upon his return to Rome, great public

festivals honored his victories. He was named dictator. His authority now outreached that of the

Senate. An ivory statue of Caesar was erected with

the inscription “To the invincible god”. Caesar would become the first living man

to have a Roman coin bare his likeness. He commissioned the coins himself.

Caesar in power (continued) Many of Caesar’s commands and decisions

infuriated the Senate. Caesar bypassed traditional elections, and

appointed politicians himself. He was given the title of consul for life. Caesar could now hold any office he wanted,

even those reserved for plebeians. During this time Caesar established the 365 day

Julian calendar. Caesar maintained power and support by

implementing fair laws and new public works projects.

The conspiracy begins. While Caesar’s lavish spending on public works

please the Roman people, the Senate became enraged.

Caesar closest friend, Brutus was one such enraged senator.

When Caesar was elected as dictator for life, a plot to assassinate him was begun.

The aristocrats feared Caesar’s power and influence.

They feared his power would equate with the end of the Republic.

The assassination – The ides of March On March 15, 44 BCE, the conspirators

against Caesar called him to the Senate. 60 or more men including Brutus stabbed

Caesar on the steps of the Portico. “Et tu Brute” (Shakespeare) “You too, child?” (Suetonius) No words , covered his head with a toga

(Plutarch)