Download The life and death of Julius Caesar

The Life and Death
of Julius Caesar
By; Michelle, Megan, and
Melissa
Family Background
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Julius was born to Aurelia and Gaius
Julius Caesar approx. July 12, 100
BCE
His family had noble roots, even
though they were neither rich nor
influential
His father died around 85 BCE.
The month that Caesar was born was
renamed “July” in his honour.
The Early Years
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He was betrothed and possibly married a wealthy
young woman, Cossutia.
When he was 18 his betrothal was suddenly
broken off, and he married the daughter of a
member of the Popular faction, Cornelia.
They had a child named Julia. She was Caesar’s
only legitimate child.
Caesar was forced to go into hiding when the
Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce
his wife and he refused. He was eventually
pardoned.
When Sulla died in 78 BCE, Caesar returned to
Rome to begin a career as an orator and lawyer.
He was awarded the civic crown for saving the
life of a citizen in battle.
Pirates of 75 BCE
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Caesar was kidnapped on his way to
Greece by Cilician Pirates. When he was
told that they meant to ask for 20 talents
for his return, he insisted that he was
worth 50.
He maintained a friendly relationship
with the pirates but warned them that he
would find and crucify them after his
release.
Upon his release, he kept true to his
promise and tracked the pirates down
with the help of volunteers. However, he
slit their throats before their crucifixion
because they had treated him well.
Alliances are formed
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In 72 BCE, he was elected to military tribune.
His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BCE and he
remarried Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla.
In 68/67 BCE, Caesar was elected into the Senate.
63 BCE he divorced Pompeia because she was seeing
another man.
60 BCE the first Triumvirate was formed.
The men that formed the Triumvirate were Caesar,
Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus.
Caesar married his daughter to Pompey the Great to
strengthen their alliance.
Caesar married Calpurnia.
His daughter died in 54 BCE in childbirth.
Triumvirate Falls
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Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BCE.
In 52 BCE, Pompey moves to Optimate faction
because without Julia and Crassus there is nothing
that links Pompey to Caesar.
In 49 BCE, Pompey’s legions were in Spain. Caesar
declared himself dictator in Rome
Caesar then lead his own legions to Spain to head off
Pompey’s forces. He allegedly said, “ I’m off to meet
an army without a leader. When I return I shall meet
a leader without an army.”
He than returned to Rome where he was elected
consul, which legalized his position.
Mid life Power
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48BCE Caesar travelled to meet Pompey
and his men; however, he did not have
enough ships to transport all his men. He
crossed anyways, and upon their landing,
found themselves greatly outnumbered.
Pompey’s 46,000 men and Caesar’s 21,000
fought on the plains of Pharsalus, with
Caesar’s generalship leading them to
victory.
He pardoned all Roman citizens who were
captured, including Brutus. Pompey
escaped, and fled to Egypt.
Military Expansion
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October 2, 48 BCE Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented
with Pompey’s head. Here he was approached by Cleopatra and
asked to help put her on the Egyptian throne.
By June 23, 47 BCE, Cleopatra had been established as a client ruler
in alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome, and either immediately
after or before his departure, Cleopatra gave birth to a son,
Caesarion, who she claimed belonged to Caesar.
Caesar travelled through Asia Minor and settled the disturbances
there, including those made by Pharnaces, a rebellious King. It was
after defeating Pharnaces that Caesar coined the phrase “Veni, Vidi,
Vici” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”
Celebration and Revolution
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When he arrived back in Rome he settled the problems that
were caused by Antony’s mismanagement
July 25, 46 BCE the unchallenged Caesar celebrated four
splendid triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, Pharnaces, and
Juba, and he sent for Cleopatra.
Although he nominally used the political structure, at times he
simply would announce his decisions to the Senate and had
them entered on the record without debate of vote., because he
was holding the position of dictator.
April, 45 BCE the son of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and
Caesar had to go himself to gain victory.
Death
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March 15, 44BCE Caesar attended the
last meeting of the Senate before he was
scheduled to depart to lead a military
campaign against the Parthinians.
Sixty conspirators also attended, with
concealed daggers in the togas, and
struck Caesar no less than 23 times as he
stood at the base of Pompey’s statue.
This is where Caesar said the famous
phrase ‘Et tu, Brutus?’
The conspirators didn’t think to also kill
Mark Antony, who had a whole legion
behind him, as well as the keys to
Caesar’s money boxes and his will.
Historical Importance
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Caesar’s death marked the end of the Roman
Republic, and the beginning of the Roman Empire.
The Second Triumvirate was formed as well, giving
power to both Marc Antony, and Caesar’s son,
Octavian. Octavian defeated Marc Antony, who at
this time was married to Cleopatra (who had also had
a relationship with Caesar) and the two committed
suicide together, leaving Octavian as the leader of the
Roman Empire, which would last until 400 CE.
Caesar was a skilled general, and his leadership
helped Rome gain more land. His rule as a dictator
lasted over ten years, although many of his decisions
were made without the decision of the senate.