The Age of Caesar Essential Questions: How can we identify and analyze a central idea or theme of a work of literature? How can we make modern day connections.

The Age of Caesar

Essential Questions: How can we identify and analyze a central idea or theme of a work of literature? How can we make modern day connections to the culture, time periods, and events from other parts of the world?

Who was Julius Caesar?

• Full name: Gaius Julius Caesar

• Born 100 BC

• Brilliant military general

• Married three times

• Had a relationship with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt

• Dictator of Rome

• Invented the Julian calendar

Caesar’s Rise to Power

100-44 BC

Caesar’s Rise to Power

Julius Caesar- greatest military leader in Roman history.

Famous for conquering Gaul (France/Belgium)

Caesar began to have great power. The people loved him.

It took Roman senators by surprise

They feared he would seize control of the government.

Pompey

Pompey was also a very respected man/military general.

He accomplished so much and defeated many menacing opponents.

Due to his supreme military career, he was granted authority and power over large spans of land.

Pompey and CaesarAfter his many victories, Pompey returned to Rome.

He did not want to be a dictator.

He aligned himself with Crassus, a very wealthy Roman, and Caesar.

Caesar was a large supporter of Pompey and helped him gain people’s respect.

Pompey helped Caesar become elected consul.

Pompey and Caesar

After trouble arose in Rome under King Clodius, Pompey was granted dictatorial powers.

When Julia (Caesar’s daughter, Pompey’s wife) died, the personal link between Caesar and Pompey disappeared.

He started to become jealous of Caesar…

Caesar vs. Pompey

In 48 B.C., the Senate ordered Caesar to give up his command in one of Rome’s provinces, Gaul.

He refused and crossed with his troops into Italy, starting a civil war.

Caesar vs. PompeyCaesar started to be taunted by Pompey.

He passed a law to limit Caesar’s term in Gaul.

A large scale reaction from Caesar was inevitable.

Caesar suggested multiple times that both he and Pompey resign.

Pompey refused and raised more troops in Italy.

Caesar was faced with a decision…

Submit to his enemies or take power by force.

On January 6, 49 BC he led his troops across the Rubicon and was at war with Rome.

Civil WarPompey was not prepared for the swiftness of Caesar.

Caesar moved with force and town after town surrendered as he raced south toward Pompey.

Some of Pompey’s troops had been previously led by Caesar.

Pompey knew he could not rely on his troops to be loyal.

He fled south, hopped on a ship, and sailed east.

Caesar vs. Pompey

Caesar was left with no enemy to fight in Italy.

Rather than chase after Pompey, he attacked the west (Spain) who were loyal to Pompey.

Many in Spain joined him.

He returned to Rome and became dictator.

Caesar vs. Pompey

When Caesar became dictator he was very popular.

Passed popular laws, was a man of the people.

He prepared to head east where a large army was forming under Pompey…

Caesar the Victor

Pompey had control of the seas.

After many months of “cat and mouse”, Pompey’s army was destroyed.

Some of his troops joined Caesar. Pompey escaped to the coast and headed towards Egypt.

Caesar the VictorPompey was killed by an assassin in Egypt.

The Pompeians still had control over much of the sea. Caesar’s work was not yet done.

Finally in July of 47 BC, Caesar was back in Rome. He assembled a stronger army and headed back to Africa where he destroyed the Pompeian troops.

Caesar as DictatorAfter the wars were over, he returned to Rome and astonished the world by granting amnesty to all his past enemies.

He brought order to Rome!Revised tax laws, resettled Romans to new homes, reformed the calendar, improved the infrastructure, helped the people.

Julius CaesarBy William

Shakespeare

We begin with Caesar, who has returned to Rome, and there are mixed feelings about him.

Should Caesar be king? Is he worthy of the throne?