The Life and The Life and Death of Julius Death of Julius

CaesarCaesar

FamilyFamily BackgroundBackground

Julius is Julius is bornborn approximately approximately July 12, 100 July 12, 100 BCBC

Mother: Aurelia Mother: Aurelia Father: Gaius Julius CaesarFather: Gaius Julius Caesar Noble family history, little Noble family history, little

wealth or power.wealth or power. The month “July” is named The month “July” is named

for Caesar.for Caesar.

The Early YearsThe Early Years He was betrothed to a wealthy young woman, He was betrothed to a wealthy young woman,

Cossutia, but the union was called off.Cossutia, but the union was called off.

At 18, he married Cornelia, the daughter of a At 18, he married Cornelia, the daughter of a member of the Popular faction instead.member of the Popular faction instead.

They had a child named Julia (Caesar’s only They had a child named Julia (Caesar’s only legitimate child).legitimate child).

Caesar went into hiding when the Optimate Caesar went into hiding when the Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he refused. wife and he refused.

Sulla died in 78 BC, and Caesar returned to Sulla died in 78 BC, and Caesar returned to Rome to begin a career as an orator and Rome to begin a career as an orator and lawyer. lawyer.

Awarded the civic crown for saving the life of Awarded the civic crown for saving the life of a citizen in battle.a citizen in battle.

Pirates of 75 BCPirates of 75 BC Caesar was kidnapped on his Caesar was kidnapped on his

way to Greece by Silician way to Greece by Silician Pirates. When told that they Pirates. When told that they meant to ask for 20 talents meant to ask for 20 talents for his return, he insisted for his return, he insisted that he was worth 50.that he was worth 50.

He warned them that he He warned them that he would find and crucify them would find and crucify them after his release.after his release.

True to his word, he tracked True to his word, he tracked down the pirates and down the pirates and crucified them.crucified them.

Alliances are formedAlliances are formed In 72 BC he was elected a military tribune and he In 72 BC he was elected a military tribune and he

is making a name for himself as a lawyer and is making a name for himself as a lawyer and public speakerpublic speaker

His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BC, and he His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BC, and he married Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla. married Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla.

In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the Senate.In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the Senate.

65 elected curule aedile (a minor elected 65 elected curule aedile (a minor elected magistrate chosen from the patrician class)magistrate chosen from the patrician class)

63 - elected 63 - elected pontifex maximuspontifex maximus-literallly “the -literallly “the great bridge builder”great bridge builder” (high priest of the college (high priest of the college of pontifs- the highest religious office in Rome of pontifs- the highest religious office in Rome openly to patricians)openly to patricians)

63 BC- he divorced Pompeia63 BC- he divorced Pompeia

60 BC- the first Triumvirate was formed: Caesar, 60 BC- the first Triumvirate was formed: Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus.Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus.

Alliances and Life ContinuedAlliances and Life Continued 59 BC - Caesar’s daughter (Julia) married 59 BC - Caesar’s daughter (Julia) married

Pompey the Great to strengthen their alliance.Pompey the Great to strengthen their alliance.

59 BC - Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter of 59 BC - Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter of a leading member of Popular faction).a leading member of Popular faction).

58 BC - Goes to Gaul58 BC - Goes to Gaul

54 BC 54 BC –– Goes to Britain Goes to Britain

Julia dies giving birth to Pompey’s child in 54 Julia dies giving birth to Pompey’s child in 54 BC.BC.

Triumvirate FallsTriumvirate Falls Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BC

In 52 BC Pompey moved to Optimate faction because without Julia and Crassus there is nothing that links Pompey to Caesar.

In 49 BC Caesar led armies across the Rubicon River--automatic civil war against Pompey

Caesar and Pompey in a public split--neither could yield without loss of honor and dignity,

He then returned to Rome where he was elected consul (highest military and civil position).

Mid life PowerMid life Power 48 BC- Caesar travelled 48 BC- Caesar travelled

to Pharsalus to battle to Pharsalus to battle Pompey. Though Pompey. Though outnumbered, Caesar led outnumbered, Caesar led his men to victory.his men to victory.

All Roman citizens All Roman citizens captured were pardoned, captured were pardoned, including Brutus. including Brutus. Pompey escaped to Pompey escaped to Egypt.Egypt.

Military ExpansionMilitary Expansion

48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was 48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented with Pompey’s head. Cleopatra presented with Pompey’s head. Cleopatra persuades Caesar to help her gain rule in Egypt. persuades Caesar to help her gain rule in Egypt.

June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a client June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a client ruler in alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome. ruler in alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome. Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who she claimed belonged to Caesar.she claimed belonged to Caesar.

It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor that Caesar coined the phrase “that Caesar coined the phrase “veni, vidi, viciveni, vidi, vici” ” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”

Celebration and Celebration and RevolutionRevolution Back in Rome he settled the problems that were Back in Rome he settled the problems that were

caused by Antony’s mismanagementcaused by Antony’s mismanagement

July 25, 46 BC the unchallenged Caesar celebrated July 25, 46 BC the unchallenged Caesar celebrated four splendid triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, four splendid triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent for Cleopatra.Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent for Cleopatra.

In the position of dictator, Caesar would announce In the position of dictator, Caesar would announce his decisions to the Senate and had them entered on his decisions to the Senate and had them entered on the record without debate of vote.the record without debate of vote.

April, 45 BC the son of Pompey led a revolt in Spain April, 45 BC the son of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and Caesar had to go himself to gain victory.and Caesar had to go himself to gain victory.

DeathDeath March 15, 44BC Caesar March 15, 44BC Caesar

attended the last meeting of attended the last meeting of the Senate. the Senate.

60 conspirators, with 60 conspirators, with concealed daggers in their concealed daggers in their togas, struck Caesar no less togas, struck Caesar no less than 23 times as he stood at than 23 times as he stood at the base of Pompey’s statue. the base of Pompey’s statue.

The conspirators The conspirators underestimated Mark underestimated Mark Antony, who had a whole Antony, who had a whole legion behind him, as well as legion behind him, as well as the keys to Caesar’s money the keys to Caesar’s money boxes and his will.boxes and his will.