1. The Life and Death of
Julius Caesar

2. FamilyBackground
 Julius bornapprox. July 12, 100 BC
 Mother: Aurelia
 Father: Gaius Julius Caesar
 Noble family history, little wealth or power.
 The month “July” is named for Caesar.

3. The Early Years
 He was betrothed to a wealthy young
woman, Cossutia, but the union was called off.
 At 18, he married Cornelia, the daughter of a member
of the Popular faction instead (there were two factions:
Popular and Optimate).
 They had a child named Julia (Caesar’s only legitimate
child).
 Caesar went into hiding when the Optimate
dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he
refused.
 Sulla died in 78 BC, and Caesar returned to Rome to
begin a career as an orator and lawyer.
 Awarded the civic crown for saving the life of a citizen
in battle.

4. Pirates of 75 BC
 Caesar was kidnapped on his way to Greece by
Sicilian Pirates. When told that they meant to
ask for 20 talents for his return, he insisted
that he was worth 50 (a “talent” is 71 pounds
of gold).
 He warned them that he would find and
crucify them after his release.
 True to his word, he tracked down the pirates
and crucified them.

5. Alliances elected to military tribune (elected by
 In 72 BC he was
are formed
the plebians to protect their interests).
 His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BC and he married
Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla.
 In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the Senate.
 65 elected curuleaedile (responsible for building
maintenance and rule enforcement)
 63 - elected pontifusmaximus (in Greek, literally means
“greatest bridge maker”)
 63 BC- he divorced Pompeia
 60 BC- the first Triumvirate was formed: Caesar, Pompey
the Great, and Marcus Crassus.

6. Alliances and Life Continued
 59 BC - Caesar’s daughter (Julia) married Pompey the
Great to strengthen their alliance.
 59 BC - Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter of a leading
member of Popular faction).
 58 BC - Goes to Gaul
 54 BC – Goes to Britain
 Julia died in 54 BC in childbirth.

7. Triumvirate Falls
 Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BC
 In 52 BC Pompey movedthatOptimate faction because without Julia and
Crassus there is nothing
to
links Pompey to Caesar.
 In 49 BC Caesar led armies across the Rubicon River--automatic civil war
against Pompey.
 Caesar andloss of in a public split--neither
without
Pompey
honor and dignity,
could yield
 He then returned to Rome where he was elected consul (highest military and
civil position).

8. Mid life Power
 48 BC- Caesar travelled to Pharsalus to
battle Pompey. Though outnumbered Caesar
led his men to victory.
 All Roman citizens captured were pardoned,
including Brutus. Pompey escaped to Egypt.

9. Military Expansion
 48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented with Pompey’s
head. Cleopatra persuades Caesar to help her gain rule in Egypt.
 June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a client ruler in alliance with
Rome. Caesar left Rome. Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who she
claimed belonged to Caesar.
 It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor that Caesar coined the
phrase “veni, vidi, vici” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”

10. Celebration and Revolution
 Back in Rome he settled the problems that were caused by Antony’s
mismanagement
 July 25, 46 BC the unchallenged Caesar celebrated four splendid
triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent for
Cleopatra.
 In the position of dictator, Caesar would announce his decisions to the
Senate and had them entered on the record without debate of vote.
 April, 45 BC the sons of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and Caesar had
to go himself to gain victory.

11. Death
 March 15, 44BC Caesar attended the last
meeting of the Senate.
 60 conspirators, with concealed daggers in
their togas, struck Caesar no less than 23
times as he stood at the base of Pompey’s
statue.
 The conspirators underestimated Mark
Antony, who had a whole legion behind
him, as well as the keys to Caesar’s money
boxes and his will.