Download Gaius Iulius Caesar - 100-44B.C. page 1 Introduction Rome

Gaius Iulius Caesar - 100-44B.C.
page 1
Introduction
Rome was traditionally founded in 753 BC by Romulus (who was a descendant of Aeneas, a Trojan
who fled from the city of Troy when it was captured by the Greeks). Romulus was followed by six
other kings.
The last king, Tarquinius Superbus, or Tarquin the Proud, was an Etruscan (a people living just
north of Rome, and much more civilised at that time). He was hated by the Romans, and he was
driven out by the Romans led by a man called Brutus. A system of ruling Rome called the Republic
was set up. The nobles ruled Rome with two being elected each year as consuls. (Brutus was one of
the first two consuls in 509.
Between then and the time of Julius Caesar the Romans had conquered Italy and most of the areas
around the Mediterranean Sea. But the system of government began to break down from just before
the time Julius Caesar (am member of a very noble family - he claimed to be descended from
Aeneas) was born.
VI The Struggle for Power
1. Soldiers and Generals
a. What major change did Marius make to the army?
He made it professional and full-time.
b. In which year?
About 100BC
c. Why did this change give power to generals (who were always politicians too)?
Soldiers were loyal to their generals. They swore an oath to them, their general made sure that
they were looked after while they were soldiers and gave them chances of taking plunder; and
when they retired their general arranged for Rome to give them land.
d. Who used his army to come to power brutally in 83-2 BC?
Sulla
e. Who then became powerful in politics because of his success as a general?
Pompeius (Pompey the Great)
f.
Why is it a little strange that Julius Caesar fought a civil war against the answer to question e ?
They had been allies before this, and Pompey had been married to Caesar’s daughter.
2. The Poor of Rome
a. Why were there so many poor people living in Rome?
They found it difficult to make a living in the countryside and came to Rome hoping for work.
b. Why did many rich people become even richer?
They were taking over poor people’s land, and using slave labour made big profits.
c.
Who killed the two Gracchi (They were rich Romans)? Why?
Leading, rich senators. The Gracchi brothers were trying to help the poor people of Rome.
Gaius Iulius Caesar - 100-44B.C.
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VII Julius Caesar
a. What great success did Caesar have in the years following 58 BC?
He conquered most of France. (The southern part, “Provence”, was already a Roman province.)
b. Read Source A.
Why was Caesar so popular with his soldiers. (Give several - 4?)
He looked after his soldiers: he avoided ambushes and discouraged desertion.
He fought himself.
He allowed soldiers to enjoy themselves after a victory.
Infantrymen on retiring received a farm.
He doubled their pay
Why did the ordinary people in Rome approve of his victories in Gaul? (4?)
More public holidays
Taxes paid to Rome
Entertainments put on.
Buildings in Rome (a new forum)
c.
Julius Caesar was not only a brilliant soldier. What other important political talent did he have
according to Cicero (Source B)?
Oratory
d. When Caesar entered Italy with an army, which river did he have to cross?
The River Rubicon
e. Why did he say “alea iacta est” (here translated as “Let’s throw the dice.”)? What does it really
mean?
He was crossing the frontier of Italy and starting a civil war. So he could not go back, and he would
just have to wait to see how things turned out. It really means “the die is cast” (or the die has been
thrown).
f. How many people killed Caesar?
23
g. Were the assassins rich nobles or poor Romans?
Rich nobles
h. Why did they kill him?
He was dictator for life, which meant that they would never be rulers of Rome (for a year) as consuls
as long as he was alive.
i.
Some people said Brutus became involved because of something that happened about 450 years
before. (See page 1, Introduction)
What do you think this event was, and how might it have affected Brutus?
His ancestor (also called Brutus) was the leader of the Romans who drove out (but
did not kill) the last king of Rome (Tarquinius Superbus). He may have felt that he
should get rid off Caesar, a ruler who was too powerful.
j. What date was the Ides of March?
15th March 44BC
k. This coin contains evidence for one of the reasons for Caesar’s assassination.
What does it refer to? He was dictator for life.