Julius Caesar (100-44B.C.) b military genius and major figure in Roman history b conquered Gaul and defeated his archrival, Pompey b appointed dictator

Julius Caesar (100-44B.C.)Julius Caesar (100-44B.C.) military genius and military genius and

major figure in major figure in Roman historyRoman history

conquered Gaul conquered Gaul and defeated his and defeated his archrival, Pompeyarchrival, Pompey

appointed dictator appointed dictator for life - his power for life - his power prompted fear that prompted fear that he would make he would make himself kinghimself king

Reformed the Reformed the Roman calendar, Roman calendar, was granted the was granted the right to wear the right to wear the purple toga of purple toga of Roman kings, to Roman kings, to use the laurel use the laurel crown, and to sit crown, and to sit in a gold chair; his in a gold chair; his image was set up image was set up in all temples in in all temples in Italy and his Italy and his likeness appeared likeness appeared on coins.on coins.

EARLY LIFEEARLY LIFE

Helped Mark Helped Mark Antony fight piracyAntony fight piracy

Married a relative of Married a relative of Pompey (they later Pompey (they later divorced on his divorced on his suspicion that she suspicion that she was unfaithful) and was unfaithful) and supported military supported military assignments for assignments for PompeyPompey

He later married CalpurniaHe later married Calpurnia Caesar’s daughter, Julia, married Caesar’s daughter, Julia, married

Pompey. Despite this, strain developed Pompey. Despite this, strain developed between the two men. The death of Julia between the two men. The death of Julia and success of Caesar at Gaul eventually and success of Caesar at Gaul eventually destroyed the two men’s relationship.destroyed the two men’s relationship.

Helped form first triumvirate (trio in Helped form first triumvirate (trio in power)power)

Caesar began a civil war. Caesar’s Caesar began a civil war. Caesar’s veteran army overran Pompey and he veteran army overran Pompey and he fled to Egypt where he was murdered.fled to Egypt where he was murdered.

Following him there, Caesar Following him there, Caesar became involved with Cleopatra became involved with Cleopatra and made her his mistress as well and made her his mistress as well as queen of Egyptas queen of Egypt

After his victory over Pompey, he After his victory over Pompey, he returned home to Rome and this is returned home to Rome and this is where our play beginswhere our play begins

from this victory originated his from this victory originated his famous boast, Veni, vidi, veci (“I famous boast, Veni, vidi, veci (“I came, I saw, I conquered.”)came, I saw, I conquered.”)

THE ASSASSINATION OF THE ASSASSINATION OF CAESARCAESAR

The plot to The plot to murder Caesar murder Caesar was conceived by was conceived by men who feared men who feared his power. The his power. The men also men also resented Caesar’s resented Caesar’s popularity with popularity with the masses.the masses.

Altogether, sixty men were involved Altogether, sixty men were involved in the plot to kill Caesar. Caesar in the plot to kill Caesar. Caesar heard rumors about the plot to heard rumors about the plot to murder him, but dismissed them. On murder him, but dismissed them. On March 15, the Ides of March, he went March 15, the Ides of March, he went to a meeting with the Senate on the to a meeting with the Senate on the porch of the theater of Pompey. At porch of the theater of Pompey. At 11 o’clock Caesar was asked by one 11 o’clock Caesar was asked by one of the plotters to recall his brother of the plotters to recall his brother from exile. As Caesar listened, the from exile. As Caesar listened, the other conspirators gathered round, other conspirators gathered round, completely surrounding Caesar.completely surrounding Caesar.

Stabbed twenty-three times, Stabbed twenty-three times, Caesar fell at the foot of Pompey’s Caesar fell at the foot of Pompey’s statue. Caesar’s death brought on statue. Caesar’s death brought on another civil war which ended the another civil war which ended the Republic and ushered in the new Republic and ushered in the new era of the Empire.era of the Empire.

Shakespeare took facts from Shakespeare took facts from Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Plutarch’s Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans and Greeks and Romans and developed them into this play.developed them into this play.

ELEMENTS OF THE PLAYELEMENTS OF THE PLAY

PROTAGONIST - main character, PROTAGONIST - main character, center of attention; in conflict with center of attention; in conflict with antagonist - BRUTUSantagonist - BRUTUS

ANTAGONIST - character in conflict ANTAGONIST - character in conflict with the main character - CAESAR- with the main character - CAESAR- ANTONY- OCTAVIUSANTONY- OCTAVIUS

CONFLICTS - person vs. person; CONFLICTS - person vs. person; person vs. selfperson vs. self

SETTING - Rome, 44 B.C.; Sardis SETTING - Rome, 44 B.C.; Sardis and Philippi, 42 B.C.and Philippi, 42 B.C.

TRAGIC FLAW - not a literary term - TRAGIC FLAW - not a literary term - means: Good people, through means: Good people, through error and temporary weakness, error and temporary weakness, can wreck havoc on themselves can wreck havoc on themselves and others.and others.

BackgroundBackground

His family had noble roots although His family had noble roots although they were neither rich nor influential in they were neither rich nor influential in this period.this period.

At age 18 he married Cornelia, the At age 18 he married Cornelia, the daughter of a prominent member of the daughter of a prominent member of the Popular faction; she later bore him his Popular faction; she later bore him his only legitimate child, a daughter, Julia. only legitimate child, a daughter, Julia.

The Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered The Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered Caesar to divorce her; when Caesar Caesar to divorce her; when Caesar refused, Sulla listed him among those to refused, Sulla listed him among those to be executed. Caesar went into hiding. be executed. Caesar went into hiding. He eventually got a pardon.He eventually got a pardon.

BackgroundBackground Caesar was awarded the civic crown Caesar was awarded the civic crown

(oak leaves) for saving the life of a (oak leaves) for saving the life of a citizen in battle when on the staff of a citizen in battle when on the staff of a military legate.military legate.

General sent him on an embassy to General sent him on an embassy to obtain a fleet of ships. obtain a fleet of ships.

Successful, but rumor was he had Successful, but rumor was he had “persuaded” the king“persuaded” the king

When Sulla died in 78, Caesar returned When Sulla died in 78, Caesar returned to Rome and became an orator/lawyer.to Rome and became an orator/lawyer.

Became known as an eloquent speaker Became known as an eloquent speaker


Caesar was kidnapped and held for ransom by Caesar was kidnapped and held for ransom by Cilician pirates when sailing to Greece for Cilician pirates when sailing to Greece for studystudy

Ransom was set at 20 talents -- claimed he Ransom was set at 20 talents -- claimed he was worth 50 talentswas worth 50 talents

Kept a friendly, joking relationship with the Kept a friendly, joking relationship with the piratespirates

He warned them that he would track them He warned them that he would track them down and crucify them after he was released down and crucify them after he was released as warning to all other piratesas warning to all other pirates

He did that, but cut their throats first so their He did that, but cut their throats first so their suffering would be lesssuffering would be less

BackgroundBackground Caesar was elected military tribuneCaesar was elected military tribune Spoke at the funerals of his aunt Spoke at the funerals of his aunt

(Julia) and wife (Cornelia)(Julia) and wife (Cornelia) Both funerals he emphasized Both funerals he emphasized

connections with Marius, ancient connections with Marius, ancient nobility of his family, and how he nobility of his family, and how he descended from the first kings on descended from the first kings on his mother’s side, and from the his mother’s side, and from the gods on his father’s sidegods on his father’s side


Caesar was elected quaestor and had Caesar was elected quaestor and had a seat in the Senate.a seat in the Senate.

Married granddaughter of Sulla, Married granddaughter of Sulla, PompeiaPompeia

Supported Gnaeus Pompey and Supported Gnaeus Pompey and helped him get great generalship helped him get great generalship against Mediterranean piratesagainst Mediterranean pirates

Rumors were Caesar had affair with Rumors were Caesar had affair with Pompey’s wife, as well as many other Pompey’s wife, as well as many other wives of prominent men.wives of prominent men.


Spent heavily in a successful effort to Spent heavily in a successful effort to be elected chief priest and later he be elected chief priest and later he was elected praetorwas elected praetor

Divorced Pompeia because of her Divorced Pompeia because of her scandal with another man. scandal with another man.

The man had been acquitted in the The man had been acquitted in the law courts, but Caesar claimed his law courts, but Caesar claimed his wife must be above suspicion. wife must be above suspicion.

This suggested he was so exceptional This suggested he was so exceptional that all associated with him must be that all associated with him must be free of scandalfree of scandal


Joined forces with Pompey and Joined forces with Pompey and Crassus. Crassus.

They were called “The First They were called “The First Triumvirate” by modern historiansTriumvirate” by modern historians

Called “the three-headed monster” by Called “the three-headed monster” by enemiesenemies

When Senate refused to grant When Senate refused to grant Pompey’s veteran soldiers land and Pompey’s veteran soldiers land and Crassus blocked his efforts, Caesar Crassus blocked his efforts, Caesar agreed to support their interests if he agreed to support their interests if he was elected to the consulshipwas elected to the consulship


Was elected consul against heavy Was elected consul against heavy Optimate opposition by Marcus Porcius Optimate opposition by Marcus Porcius Cato – a shrewd and conservative Cato – a shrewd and conservative politicianpolitician

Caesar married his only daughter, Julia, to Caesar married his only daughter, Julia, to Pompey to solidify the alliancePompey to solidify the alliance

Caesar married Calpurnia, the daughter Caesar married Calpurnia, the daughter of the leading member of the Popular of the leading member of the Popular factionfaction

Caesar earned himself a five-year term as Caesar earned himself a five-year term as proconsul of Gaul after his consulship was proconsul of Gaul after his consulship was overover


Caesar left Rome for Gaul – did not Caesar left Rome for Gaul – did not return for 9 yearsreturn for 9 years

Conquered most of central EuropeConquered most of central Europe Opened lands to Mediterranean Opened lands to Mediterranean

civilization, a decisive act in world civilization, a decisive act in world historyhistory

Much of the conquest was an act Much of the conquest was an act of aggression by personal ambitionof aggression by personal ambition

BackgroundBackground Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus

met in Caesar’s province to met in Caesar’s province to renew their alliancerenew their alliance

Pompey had been increasingly Pompey had been increasingly moving toward the Optimate moving toward the Optimate faction. faction.

Pompey and Crassus were to be Pompey and Crassus were to be consuls againconsuls again

Caesar’s command in Gaul was Caesar’s command in Gaul was extended until 49 BCEextended until 49 BCE


Led a 3 month expedition to Led a 3 month expedition to Britain, but did not establish a Britain, but did not establish a permanent base therepermanent base there

The coalition with Pompey was The coalition with Pompey was strained because Julia had died in strained because Julia had died in childbirthchildbirth

Crassus received command of Crassus received command of armies in the East, but was armies in the East, but was defeated and killed by Parthiansdefeated and killed by Parthians


Rioting in Rome led to Pompey’s Rioting in Rome led to Pompey’s extra-legal election as “consul extra-legal election as “consul without a colleague.” without a colleague.”

Without Julia and Crassus, there was Without Julia and Crassus, there was little to bond Caesar and Pompeylittle to bond Caesar and Pompey

Pompey moved to the Optimate Pompey moved to the Optimate factionsfactions

Pompey had always been eager for Pompey had always been eager for the favor of the aristocratsthe favor of the aristocrats

BackgroundBackground The conquest of Gaul was effectively The conquest of Gaul was effectively

completedcompleted Caesar set up an efficient provincial Caesar set up an efficient provincial

administration to govern vast territoriesadministration to govern vast territories Published the history Published the history The Gallic WarsThe Gallic Wars Caesar would be immediately prosecuted if Caesar would be immediately prosecuted if

he returned to Rome as a private citizenhe returned to Rome as a private citizen Pompey and Caesar were maneuvered into a Pompey and Caesar were maneuvered into a

public split. public split. Neither could yield to the other without a Neither could yield to the other without a

loss of honor, dignity, and powerloss of honor, dignity, and power


Caesar tried to maintain his position Caesar tried to maintain his position legally, but led his armies across the legally, but led his armies across the Rubicon River when pushed to the limitRubicon River when pushed to the limit

This caused an automatic civil war.This caused an automatic civil war. Quickly advanced to Rome, set up a rump Quickly advanced to Rome, set up a rump

Senate and declared himself dictatorSenate and declared himself dictator Practiced his policy of clemency during Practiced his policy of clemency during

his campaign. his campaign. This meant he would put no one to death This meant he would put no one to death

and confiscate no propertyand confiscate no property


Led his legion to Spain to prevent Led his legion to Spain to prevent Pompey’s forces from joining him in the Pompey’s forces from joining him in the EastEast

After a short campaign, he returned to After a short campaign, he returned to Rome and was elected consul, thus Rome and was elected consul, thus legalizing his positionlegalizing his position

Pompey and the Optimate faction Pompey and the Optimate faction established a strong position in Greeceestablished a strong position in Greece

Caesar was in Brundisium and did not Caesar was in Brundisium and did not have sufficient ships to transport all his have sufficient ships to transport all his legionslegions


Caesar crossed with only 20,000 men and left Caesar crossed with only 20,000 men and left Mark Antony in Brundisium to try to bring Mark Antony in Brundisium to try to bring across the rest of the soldiersacross the rest of the soldiers

The rest of his forces finally landed and were The rest of his forces finally landed and were greatly outnumbered by Pompey’s men. greatly outnumbered by Pompey’s men.

In the final battle, Pompey had 46,000 men In the final battle, Pompey had 46,000 men and Caesar had 21,000 men. and Caesar had 21,000 men.

By brilliant generalship, Caesar was victoriousBy brilliant generalship, Caesar was victorious All Roman citizens were pardoned, including All Roman citizens were pardoned, including

BrutusBrutus Pompey fled to EgyptPompey fled to Egypt


Caesar had 4,000 legionaries and landed in Caesar had 4,000 legionaries and landed in AlexandriaAlexandria

He was presented with the head of PompeyHe was presented with the head of Pompey Cleopatra was 20-21 years oldCleopatra was 20-21 years old She was driven out of Alexandria at this She was driven out of Alexandria at this

time by Pothinustime by Pothinus She had herself smuggled into the palace She had herself smuggled into the palace

in Alexandria wrapped in a rug that was a in Alexandria wrapped in a rug that was a gift for Caesargift for Caesar


She enlisted Caesar’s help in her struggle She enlisted Caesar’s help in her struggle to control the Egyptian throneto control the Egyptian throne

Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek descentdescent

She was highly intelligent and well-She was highly intelligent and well-educatededucated

Caesar saw her as a useful ally as well as a Caesar saw her as a useful ally as well as a captivating femalecaptivating female

He supported her right to the throneHe supported her right to the throne Achillas and an army of 20.000 besieged Achillas and an army of 20.000 besieged

the palacethe palace Caesar managed to hold the palace itself Caesar managed to hold the palace itself

and the harborand the harbor


Caesar had Pothinus executed as Caesar had Pothinus executed as a traitor a traitor

He allowed Ptolemy to join the He allowed Ptolemy to join the army of Achillasarmy of Achillas

Caesar had the Egyptian fleet Caesar had the Egyptian fleet burnedburned

This caused the Library of This caused the Library of Alexandria to be consumed in Alexandria to be consumed in flamesflames


While under siege, Caesar tried While under siege, Caesar tried unsuccessfully to capture Pharos, a unsuccessfully to capture Pharos, a great lighthouse on an island in the great lighthouse on an island in the harborharbor

At one point, he was forced to jump in At one point, he was forced to jump in the water and swim to safetythe water and swim to safety

Plutarch says Caesar swam with one Plutarch says Caesar swam with one hand, held important papers above the hand, held important papers above the water, and towed his purple general’s water, and towed his purple general’s cloak with his teethcloak with his teeth

He did not want it captured by the He did not want it captured by the EgyptiansEgyptians

BackgroundBackground Caesar sent for reinforcementsCaesar sent for reinforcements When they arrived, they defeated the When they arrived, they defeated the

Egyptian armyEgyptian army He had been trapped in the palace for He had been trapped in the palace for

six months can could not exert six months can could not exert influence on the civil warinfluence on the civil war

The civil war was going badly, but he The civil war was going badly, but he still remained in Egypt until Junestill remained in Egypt until June

He cruised the Nile with Cleopatra to He cruised the Nile with Cleopatra to the southern boundary of her kingdomthe southern boundary of her kingdom


Caesar left Alexandria when Caesar left Alexandria when Cleopatra was established as a Cleopatra was established as a client ruler in alliance with Romeclient ruler in alliance with Rome

He left 3 legions under the He left 3 legions under the command of Rufio, as legate, in command of Rufio, as legate, in support of her rulesupport of her rule

Either immediately before or soon Either immediately before or soon after he left Egypt, Cleopatra bore a after he left Egypt, Cleopatra bore a son, claiming he was the son of son, claiming he was the son of CaesarCaesar


After leaving Alexandria, Caesar After leaving Alexandria, Caesar swept through Asia Minor to settle swept through Asia Minor to settle disturbances theredisturbances there

He met and overcame Pharnaces, a He met and overcame Pharnaces, a rebellious kingrebellious king

Publicized the rapidity of this victory Publicized the rapidity of this victory with the slogan, with the slogan, veni, vidi, viciveni, vidi, vici

I came, I saw, I conqueredI came, I saw, I conquered


Arrived in Rome and settled the Arrived in Rome and settled the problems caused by the mismanagement problems caused by the mismanagement of Antonyof Antony

When he attempted to sail for Africa to When he attempted to sail for Africa to face the Optimates, his legions mutinied face the Optimates, his legions mutinied and refused to sailand refused to sail

With a brilliant speech, he brought them With a brilliant speech, he brought them around totally and defeated the around totally and defeated the OptimatesOptimates

The leader, Cato, committed suicide The leader, Cato, committed suicide rather than be pardoned by Caesarrather than be pardoned by Caesar

Caesar was now unchallenged and Caesar was now unchallenged and victoriousvictorious

Arrived back in Rome and celebrated Arrived back in Rome and celebrated four splendid triumphsfour splendid triumphs

He sent for Cleopatra and her sonHe sent for Cleopatra and her son He established them in a luxurious villa He established them in a luxurious villa

across the Tiber from Romeacross the Tiber from Rome He listed his political aims as He listed his political aims as

“tranquility for Italy, peace for the “tranquility for Italy, peace for the provinces, and security for the Empire”provinces, and security for the Empire”


Resolution of the worse of the debt Resolution of the worse of the debt crisiscrisis

Resettlement of veterans abroad Resettlement of veterans abroad without dispossessing otherswithout dispossessing others

Reform of the Roman calendarReform of the Roman calendar Regulation of the grain doleRegulation of the grain dole Strengthening of the middle classStrengthening of the middle class Enlargement of the Senate to 900Enlargement of the Senate to 900


His methods alienated many of the His methods alienated many of the noblesnobles

He held the position of dictator and He held the position of dictator and governed autocraticallygoverned autocratically

He was more general than politicianHe was more general than politician Used political structured, but often Used political structured, but often

announced his decisions to the Senate announced his decisions to the Senate and had them entered on the record and had them entered on the record as senatorial decrees without debate as senatorial decrees without debate or voteor vote


The two sons of Pompey led a revolt in The two sons of Pompey led a revolt in SpainSpain

Caesar’s legates were unable to quell the Caesar’s legates were unable to quell the revoltrevolt

Caesar had to go himself and a decisive, Caesar had to go himself and a decisive, but difficult victory at Mundabut difficult victory at Munda

Caesar, back in Rome, celebrated a Caesar, back in Rome, celebrated a triumph over Gnaeus Pompeytriumph over Gnaeus Pompey

This aroused discontent because This aroused discontent because triumphs were reserved for foreign triumphs were reserved for foreign enemiesenemies


Issued coins with his likenessIssued coins with his likeness Allowed his statues to be adorned like Allowed his statues to be adorned like

the statues of the godsthe statues of the gods Senate was constantly voting him new Senate was constantly voting him new

honorshonors He had the right to wear the laurel He had the right to wear the laurel

wreath and purple and gold toga and sit wreath and purple and gold toga and sit in a gilded chair at all public functionsin a gilded chair at all public functions

Had inscriptions such as “to the Had inscriptions such as “to the unconquerable god”unconquerable god”


Caesar was named dicator Caesar was named dicator perpetuusperpetuus

On Feb. 15On Feb. 15thth, the feast of , the feast of Lupercalia, Caesar wore his purple Lupercalia, Caesar wore his purple garb for the first time in publicgarb for the first time in public

Antony offered him a diadem, but Antony offered him a diadem, but Caesar refused itCaesar refused it

He claimed that Jupiter alone is the He claimed that Jupiter alone is the king of Romansking of Romans


Caesar was preparing to lead a Caesar was preparing to lead a military campaignmilitary campaign

He was warned of personal danger He was warned of personal danger but refused a bodyguardbut refused a bodyguard

Caesar attended the last meeting Caesar attended the last meeting of the Senate before his departure, of the Senate before his departure, held at its temporary quartersheld at its temporary quarters

The sixty conspirators came to the The sixty conspirators came to the meeting with daggers in their togasmeeting with daggers in their togas


He was struck 23 times as he He was struck 23 times as he stood at the base of Pompey’s stood at the base of Pompey’s statuestatue

Caesar said in Greek to Brutus, Caesar said in Greek to Brutus, “You too, my child”“You too, my child”

All senators fled after his deathAll senators fled after his death Slaves carried his body home to Slaves carried his body home to

Calpurnia several hours laterCalpurnia several hours later For several days there was a For several days there was a

political vacuumpolitical vacuum


The conspirators had no long-The conspirators had no long-range plan and did not range plan and did not immediately kill Mark Antonyimmediately kill Mark Antony

The conspirators had only a The conspirators had only a band of gladiators to back them band of gladiators to back them upup

Antony had a whole legion, the Antony had a whole legion, the keys to Caesar’s money boxes, keys to Caesar’s money boxes, and Caesar’s willand Caesar’s will

Documents

Julius Caesar (100-44B.C.) b military genius and major figure in Roman history b conquered Gaul and defeated his archrival, Pompey b appointed dictator