Name: Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

1 Gaius Julius Caesar was born in Rome around July 12, 100 BCE. Not long after, Rome fell into chaos. Consul Lucius Sulla let loose his army, flooding the streets with blood. He snatched power away from the Senate in 82 BCE. He then rid the city of his enemies and corrupt leaders. During that time, Caesar married the daughter of a wealthy man. Sulla ordered him to divorce his wife, but Caesar refused. He was sent away from Rome and spent many years in Greece. There he studied debate, improving his skills.

2 After Caesar was forgiven, he returned to Rome. Sulla retired from public life and then died in 78. His grab for power in many ways laid the blueprint for future strong men. Watching Sulla’s rise most likely strengthened Caesar’s own goal. Now, his passion for politics was huge. He had spent years fighting in Spain, gaining knowledge of war. In 65 BCE, he was made aedile, where he arranged public games for the masses in Rome. He shrewdly knew this post would afford him fame and support from the people. After making a name for himself, he was made praetor three years later. This was one position below the office of consul, or leader of the Senate.

3 In 61 BCE, Caesar was named the governor of Spain. This was his moment to hone his battle skills and increase his fame through conquest. The more land he conquered, the more Roman hearts he would capture. However, Caesar needed more support back in Rome. In 59, he formed an alliance with Generals Pompey and Crassus. This pact was named the First Triumvirate. Through a strong hand and bribes, Caesar was also named consul. Caesar then bullied through the Senate his plans. This only increased the Senate’s mistrust of him.

4 In Spain, Caesar took firm control of the peninsula. He then attacked Gaul, or today’s France, in 58 BCE. His mighty legions, with sword and spear, bloodied the barbarians on the battlefield. The Romans tore the German tribes to pieces and shoved them back across the Rhine River. Through sheer military genius, he conquered all of Gaul in 50 BCE. His fame soared to new heights. He then thought about with invading Britain but gave up when word arrived that General Crassus had been killed in battle. Pompey was then the only consul in Rome with legions, a grave danger. Caesar turned his sights on Rome.

5 Caesar marched back toward Rome a hero of the people. Pompey grew alarmed at the support Caesar now had. He also could not ignore Caesar’s huge army. In 49, the Senate joined forces with Pompey. They ordered Caesar to disband his army which was an insult. Caesar stated that he deserved to be consul due to his victories for Rome. Also, giving up his army meant he could not defend himself against Pompey. Caesar proposed that both men give up their armies. The Senate turned around and gave total power to Pompey. Angry, Caesar marched his men into northern Italy. Pompey’s soldiers gave up rather than fight the famous general. Pompey had no choice but to flee Rome, and Caesar made himself dictator.

6 In 48 BCE, Caesar’s army crushed Pompey in Greece, forcing him to flee once more. Caesar pursued him to Egypt when word came that Pompey had been murdered. While there, Caesar met Cleopatra, the rightful queen of Egypt. He fought to win Cleopatra the throne from her brother. He then battled Pompey’s supporters and sons, crushing all of them. Caesar was made dictator of the Roman Empire for life .

7 Caesar designed a new calendar that made life easier. He also made laws that reformed the empire. He angered many by making some people in conquered lands citizens. Caesar took steps to rid Rome of corrupt leaders. His laws tried to elevate the poor and give them a better life. He tried many times to convince the people that he had no plan of becoming a king. Still, the Senate and population did not believe him. They felt Caesar had a secret intent of becoming one. Thus, when Caesar arrived in the Senate on March 15, 44 BCE, members stabbed him to death. As a reminder, they

G5.6 ©2014 IntegratedLessons.com 1

Julius Caesar

laid his corpse at the foot of a statue of Pompey. Those men Caesar had pardoned for fighting against him just a year earlier.

8 Julius Caesar was a superb general and politician. He also excelled at public speaking and writing. He wrote fantastic books on his conquests of Gaul that give great understanding of him. His quest for total power served as the model for his adopted son. That man would become the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

G5.6 ©2014 IntegratedLessons.com 2

2. How did Caesar become famous in Spain?

A. he stopped German tribes from taking more land

B. he fought tribes to a draw

D. he lost battles

3. What happened when Caesar tried to make a deal with the Senate?

A. they backed Pompey B. they agreed to his terms D. they did not respond

4. What caused Caesar to be sent away from Rome?

A. he spoke out against Sulla

B. he would not divorce his wife

C. he disagreed with Sulla’s orders

D. he began a revolt

5. What did Caesar accomplish while dictator?

A. he killed Crassus, helped the poor, made a new calendar, and gave people citizenship

B. he helped the poor, made a new calendar, fought corruption, and gave people citizenship

C. he made a new calendar, ended corruption, and gave power to the Senate

D. he defeated the barbarians, created a new calendar, and helped the poor

C. he attacked Gaul and won

C. they changed the deal

A. he asked the Senate for their support

B. he won battles to win the people’s support

C. he attacked the Senate D. he formed the First Triumvirate

1. To get support in Rome, what did Caesar do in 59 BCE?

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

Julius Caesar

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8. What does the phrase “Through a strong hand…” mean from paragraph 3?

A. used fear and threats B. he made nice deals C. he begged D. he asked nicely

9. Which of the following events happened last?

A. Marcus Crassus died in battle

B. Caesar forgot about Britain

C. Caesar marched on Rome

D. Caesar was named consul

10. Which resource would have the most information about the article?

A. a book on the Roman army

B. a dictionary C. an ancient Roman poem

11. The phrase “…bloodied barbarians on the battlefield” from paragraph 4 is an example of—

A. alliteration B. hyperbole C. simile D. personification

12. What is a synonym for the word afford from paragraph 2?

A. hide B. give C. decrease D. reduce

D. a website on the First Triumvirate

6. Why was Caesar’s body placed at the foot of Pompey’s statue?

A. as a sign of respect B. so guards would not know who murdered him

C. as an accident D. as a sign of the Senate’s love for Pompey

7. Which would be the best title for paragraph 3?

A. Gaining Knowledge and Power

B. Conquering Lands C. Crassus and Pompey D. Battles in Spain

Name: Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar*

1 Gaius Julius Caesar was born in Rome around July 12, 100 BCE. Not long after, Rome fell into chaos. Consul Lucius Sulla let loose his army, flooding the streets with blood. He snatched power away from the Senate in 82 BCE. He then rid the city of his enemies and corrupt leaders. During that time, Caesar married the daughter of a wealthy man. Sulla ordered him to divorce his wife, but Caesar refused. He was sent away from Rome and spent many years in Greece. There he studied debate, improving his skills.

2 After Caesar was forgiven, he returned to Rome. Sulla retired from public life and then died in 78. His grab for power in many ways laid the blueprint for future strong men. Watching Sulla’s rise most likely strengthened Caesar’s own goal. Now, his passion for politics was huge. He had spent years fighting in Spain, gaining knowledge of war. In 65 BCE, he was made aedile, where he arranged public games for the masses in Rome. He shrewdly knew this post would afford him fame and support from the people. After making a name for himself, he was made praetor three years later. This was one position below the office of consul, or leader of the Senate.

3 In 61 BCE, Caesar was named the governor of Spain. This was his moment to hone his battle skills and increase his fame through conquest. The more land he conquered, the more Roman hearts he would capture. However, Caesar needed more support back in Rome. In 59, he formed an alliance with Generals Pompey and Crassus. This pact was named the First Triumvirate. Through a strong hand and bribes, Caesar was also named consul. He then bullied through the Senate his plans. This only increased the Senate’s mistrust of him.

4 In Spain, Caesar took firm control of the peninsula. He then attacked Gaul, or today’s France, in 58 BCE. His mighty legions, with sword and spear, bloodied the barbarians on the battlefield. The Romans tore the German tribes to pieces and shoved them back across the Rhine River. Through sheer military genius, he conquered all of Gaul in 50 BCE. His fame soared to new heights. He then thought about with invading Britain but gave up when word arrived that General Crassus had been killed in battle. Pompey was then the only consul in Rome with legions, a grave danger. Caesar turned his sights on Rome.

5 Caesar marched back toward Rome a hero of the people. Pompey grew alarmed at the support Caesar now had. He also could not ignore Caesar’s huge army. In 49, the Senate joined forces with Pompey. They ordered Caesar to disband his army which was an insult. Caesar stated that he deserved to be consul due to his victories for Rome. Also, giving up his army meant he could not defend himself against Pompey. Caesar proposed that both men give up their armies. The Senate turned around and gave total power to Pompey. Angry, Caesar marched his men into northern Italy. Pompey’s soldiers gave up rather than fight the famous general. Pompey had no choice but to flee Rome, and Caesar made himself dictator.

6 In 48 BCE, Caesar’s army crushed Pompey in Greece, forcing him to flee once more. Caesar pursued him to Egypt when word came that Pompey had been murdered. While there, Caesar met Cleopatra, the rightful queen of Egypt. He fought to win Cleopatra the throne from her brother. He then battled Pompey’s supporters and sons, crushing all of them. Caesar was made dictator of the Roman Empire for life .

7 Caesar designed a new calendar that made life easier. He also made laws that reformed the empire. He angered many by making some people in conquered lands citizens. Caesar took steps to rid Rome of corrupt leaders. His laws tried to elevate the poor and give them a better life. He tried many times to convince the people that he had no plan of becoming a king. Still, the Senate and population did not believe him. They felt Caesar had a secret intent of becoming one. Thus, when Caesar arrived in the Senate on March 15, 44 BCE, members stabbed him to death. As a reminder, they

G5.6* ©2014 IntegratedLessons.com 1

Julius Caesar

laid his corpse at the foot of a statue of Pompey. Those men Caesar had pardoned for fighting against him just a year earlier.

8 Julius Caesar was a superb general and politician. He also excelled at public speaking and writing. He wrote fantastic books on his conquests of Gaul that give great understanding of him. His quest for total power served as the model for his adopted son. That man would become the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

A. he asked the Senate for their support

B. he won battles to win the people’s support

C. he attacked the Senate D. he formed the First Triumvirate *

2. How did Caesar become famous in Spain?

A. he stopped German tribes from taking more land

B. he fought tribes to a draw

D. he lost battles

3. What happened when Caesar tried to make a deal with the Senate?

A. they backed Pompey * B. they agreed to his terms D. they did not respond

4. What caused Caesar to be sent away from Rome?

A. he spoke out against Sulla

B. he would not divorce his wife *

C. he disagreed with Sulla’s orders

D. he began a revolt

5. What did Caesar accomplish while dictator?

A. he killed Crassus, helped the poor, made a new calendar, and gave people citizenship

B. he helped the poor, made a new calendar, fought corruption, and gave people citizenship *

C. he made a new calendar, ended corruption, and gave power to the Senate

D. he defeated the barbarians, created a new calendar, and helped the poor

G5.6* ©2014 IntegratedLessons.com 2

1. To get support in Rome, what did Caesar do in 59 BCE?

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

C. he attacked Gaul and won *

C. they changed the deal

Julius Caesar

8. What does the phrase “Through a strong hand…” mean from paragraph 3?

A. used fear and threats * B. he made nice deals C. he begged D. he asked nicely

9. Which of the following events happened last?

A. Marcus Crassus died in battle

B. Caesar forgot about Britain

C. Caesar marched on Rome *

D. Caesar was named consul

10. Which resource would have the most information about the article?

A. a book on the Roman army

B. a dictionary C. an ancient Roman poem

11. The phrase “…bloodied barbarians on the battlefield” from paragraph 4 is an example of—

A. alliteration * B. hyperbole C. simile D. personification

12. What is a synonym for the word afford from paragraph 2?

A. hide B. give * C. decrease D. reduce

G5.6* ©2014 IntegratedLessons.com 3

D. a website on the First Triumvirate *

6. Why was Caesar’s body placed at the foot of Pompey’s statue?

A. as a sign of respect B. so guards would not know who murdered him

C. as an accident D. as a sign of the Senate’s love for Pompey *

7. Which would be the best title for paragraph 3?

A. Gaining Knowledge and Power *

B. Conquering Lands C. Crassus and Pompey D. Battles in Spain