Download Death of Julius Caesar

Death of Julius Caesar
Biographers describe tension between Caesar and the Senate, and his possible claims to
the title of king. These events were the principal motive for Caesar's assassination. The Senate
named Caesar dictator perpetuo ("dictator for life"). Roman mints produced a denarius coin with
this title and his likeness on one side, and with an image of the goddess Ceres and Caesar's title
on the reverse. While minting the title of dictator was not controversial, Caesar's image was, as it
was unusual to feature living consuls and other public officials on coins during the Republic.
In the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, Caesar was warned by a soothsayer
(one who claims to tell the future) to beware of the Ides of March (March 15th). The
assassination of Julius Caesar was the result of a conspiracy by many Roman senators who called
themselves Liberators. Led by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus, they stabbed
Julius Caesar to death in a location adjacent to the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March
(March 15), 44 BC. Brutus was thought of as a friend of Caesar. Also from Shakespeare’s play,
Caesar’s famous last words were “Et tu Brute” (“and you too Brutus”). This has been a quote
made familiar with those who commit an act of betrayal. Caesar was the dictator of the Roman
Republic at the time, having recently been declared “dictator perpetuo” by the Senate. This
declaration made several senators fear that Caesar wanted to overthrow the Senate in favor of
tyranny.
1. How did the senate increase Caesar’s power?
2. What was unusual about denarius coins?
3. Why was Caesar assassinated?
4. What were Caesar’s last words and what have they come to mean?