Download Why Did Everyone Want to Kill Julius Caesar???

Why Did Everyone Want to Kill
Julius Caesar???
Good question!
• Gaius Julius Caesar (~100-44 B.C.) was a
Roman military and political leader who
became one of the most influential men of
ancient times.
• He had become very
popular after a series of military
victories in Gaul (France/
Germany).
Gaul
• The Senate and Caesar’s “ally” Pompey ordered
Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome.
Instead, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with
a legion and started a civil war. His enemies
fled, and eventually were defeated and killed.
Pompey
Magnus
• Upon his return, Caesar assumed a great deal
of control over Rome. The Senate felt that
Caesar’s position as dictator for life threatened
the 500 year-old Republic.
• Believing that it was best for Rome, some
senators (including Cassius and Casca) plotted
to kill Caesar. They persuaded Marcus Brutus,
who was a friend to Caesar, to join them.
• On March 15, 44 B.C., the conspirators attacked
Caesar in the Senate hall, stabbing him a total of
23 times. After Caesar’s death, Brutus allegedly
declared “Sic simper
tyrannis.” (“Thus, always
to tyrants.”)
The Ides of March
• Not everyone in Rome
wanted him dead. The
regular people (the
plebeians) loved Caesar
and rioted after his
murder. Caesar’s ally,
Marc Antony, waged war
on his conspirators who
either were defeated or
committed suicide.
Friends,
Romans,
Countrymen...
• After years of political strife, Caesar’s adopted
heir Octavian (Augustus) took over as the first
emperor of Rome, and Caesar was declared to
be a god.