Rome Under Caesar Emmy Satterfield, Hannah Mattes, Allyson
Echols, Christen Brouillette, Liz Pikul
Slide 2
First, a Little Bit about Caesar Lived July 12 th, 100 BCE-
March 15 th, 44 BCE Parents- Gaius and Aurelia Caesar Married first
to Cornelia (and had daughter, Julia), then Pompeia, then Calpurnia
Born into an old aristocratic family (not rich however)
Guest-starred on He-Man (This is a joke. Please do not deduct
points.)
Slide 3
Background Information on Rome at the Time Chaotic and
dysfunctional partially in due to imperialism Central government
powerless and regionalism in practice among independent
principalities Corrupt aristocracy/politics
Slide 4
Major Social and Cultural Changes and Events
Slide 5
Family and Marriage Legislation to support family life- Men
could no longer mistreat children (their property)- discipline
through encouragement reason Legislation to support marriage-
Adultery outlawed Marriage legally documented
Slide 6
Agriculture State subsidized grain Distribution of land to
veterans and veteran colony establishments
Slide 7
Calendar Adopted the 365 days a year with leap year every 4 as
the Pontifex Maximus (later modified into modern calendar by Pope
Gregory XIII)
Slide 8
Major Political Changes and Events
Slide 9
The Introduction of a New Constitution Introduced new
constitution to: Suppress all armed resistance out in the provinces
to bring order back to the republic To create a strong central
government in Rome To unite the entire republic into one peaceful
unit
Slide 10
Alliance with Crassus and Pompey Pompey eventually betrayed
Caesar Allowed their political dominance of Rome Opposed by Roman
Senate and conservative elite Supporters of Cicero Cato the
Younger
Slide 11
Conquests and Major Battles 58 BC- took Gaul, Battle of the
Arar (Saone), Battle of Bibracte 57 BC- Battle of the Axona (Aisne)
and Battle of Sabis (Sambre) 55 BC- first Roman invasion of Britain
52 BC- Acaricum, Battle of Alesia 51 BC- Battle of Uxellodunum 48
BC- Battle of Dyrrhachium, Battle of Pharsalus 47 BC- Battle of the
Nile, Battle of Zela 46 BC- Battle of Thapsus 45 BC- Battle of
Munda
Slide 12
Senate Opened to non-Romans Autocracy that made the Senate
essentially his servants Appointed own senate Could veto senate
Raised depleted senate to 900 memebers after return to Rome (47
BC)
Slide 13
Major Economic Changes and Events
Slide 14
Taxation, Debt, and Public Reductions 5% Romes gross product
(2- 5% per person) Complex direct and indirect taxation To maintain
the military Passed taxes on foreign ships on Roman harbors Debt
restructuring law- eliminated of all debts owed Reduced number of
citizens on free grain dole from 300,000 to 180,000 The Great
Caesar practicing amazing modesty by putting his face on
currency.
Slide 15
Caesar as the Governor of Gaul Served 58 BC 54 BC 58 BC: raised
10 legions (5,000 men, 10- 20,000 allies) and defeated Halvetii,
shattered German invasion and slaughtered them 57 BC: attacked
Nervii and won despite poor strategy 56 BC: established second
term
Slide 16
Caesar as the Governor of Gaul Continued 55 BC: invaded Britain
for propaganda, threat of German invasion present 54 BC- Revolt
began in Belgae 52 BC- Arverni chief Vercingetorix eventually
defeated Caesar Arrived because need of profitable war (spent too
much money on politics) Became governor after fled Rome to avoid
being killed
Slide 17
Becoming the Dictator of Rome Appointed dictator Feb. 14 th, 44
BC and appointed for life 47 BC (served 10 years) How: Gained power
through alliances (Pompey and Crassus) No serious public opposition
Granted triumphs by senate for victories in war Numerous
political/social/economic reforms
Slide 18
The First Triumvirate The political alliance of Gaius Julius
Caesar, Marcus Licinius Crassus, and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus
(Pompey) - 60-53 BC Crassus and Pompey didnt get along, but Caesar
brought them together Caesar was off at war, Pompey was jealous of
his Crassuss success and was leaning towards a senatorial
party
Slide 19
First Triumvirate Continued Crassus was killed (53 BC), leading
Pompey and Caesar to a power struggle Pompey was assassinated (48
BC) and Caesar took over Rome
Slide 20
Cleopatra Julius Caesar helped Cleopatra and her brother take
over Egypt in 47 BC They had a son named Ptolemy XV (Caesarion)
They were married despite Casesars current marriage to Calpurnia
Last pharaoh of Egypt
Slide 21
Assassination Assassinated by Roman senators because they
feared he would become a tyrant Stabbed 23 times on the Ides of
March (March 15), 44 BC Led to Liberators Civil War and Principate
period of the Roman Empire Any salad is a caesar salad if you stab
it enough
Slide 22
Fun Facts! When he invaded Egypt for Cleopatra, Ptolemy sent
him 2 female prostitutes. He sent them back because he was getting
married to Cleopatra and Ptolemy sent 2 guys back. At 22 he was
kidnapped by pirates. When they set his ransom he demanded that it
be higher. When the ransom was paid, he chased down the pirates and
cut each of their throats. His second wife was the niece of his
first wife. Julius Caesar was accused of being the lover of King
Nicomedes. He was almost a priest He named the month of July after
himself Father died when he was 15