Young Caesar 100BCE – 60BCE

1. YoungCaesar100BCE – 60BCE

2. Career of Caesar till his first consulship in 59BCE: • Born 100BC to a down-on-their-luck Patrician family tracing themselves back to Aeneas/Venus • from the subura (poor part of town). • Identified himself with the poor neighbours • Important influences • Aunt Julia • (married to Marius – how the Julian’s got funds again to become ‘somebodies’) • mother Aurelia • made Flamin dialis (Priest of jupiter) at 16 • forbade to leave Rome, riding a horse, seeing a dead body, wear knots. • Married to Cinna’s daughter • (Cinna – Romes 2nd most important politician at the time, and enemy of Sulla) • Life appointment • but Sulla nullified it when he returned after Mithridates war • he didn’t want to give the Julii (related to Marius & Cinna) any power • he demanded Caesar divorce his wife Cornelia Cinna – he refused and fled into the countryside • finally after intersession on his behalf Sulla lifted his proscription and Caesar returned to Rome • at age 20 he got an army post in Asia • won a civic crown at war of Mytelene (Asia Minor) • wore the crown on occasions from then on, and annoyed • while on official business lingered too long in Bithynia with King Nicomedes giving rise to scandal that followed him from then on “Queen of Bithynia” • When he returned he pursued a legal career (like Cicero) • Without Cicero’s success as he took underdog cases where he couldn’t fight bribes • But his eloquence was heard, & the poor Romans knew he was on their side. • Arranged to learn Rhetoric in Rhodes but was captured by pirates on the way • Annoyed they only ransomed him for 20 talents, said he’d fetch at least 50 • Caesar sent for the money, and for 40 days showed no fear of them and joked he’d return & crucify them when he was ransomed, • Which he did when he was released (cutting their throats first). • Elected military tribune, (his first elected office) and appointed to another priest hood • May have fought with Crassus against Sparticus at this time.

3. 69 elected Quaester & Aunt Julia died • as family head he orated her funeral, and brought out the family mask of Marius • whose likeness had been banned since Sulla over 10 yrs ago. • reminded Rome of the Marius hero – friend of common people • also his wife Cornelia suddenly died • Delivered her funeral oration and won public support and sympathy for his obvious love • Left for his tribunate to Spain where he impressed with his honesty, firmness & fairness. • Limited the amount that equite tax collectors could take (but still allowed them some profit as he’d need them fro loans in the future.) • Began a reputation for wise legal decision typical of his career. • After his term ended he came home through south Gaul, building a client base with good administrative, legal, work. • Married the granddaughter of Sulla when he returned home • A clever alliance to the patricians to balance his wooing the Plebians • Elected Aedile and spent (borrowed) a fortune for the spectacular games & civic buildings he put on for the people of Rome. • Began to use Crassus for loans (& Crassus used him for charisma) • 63BC (year of Catiline conspiracy) he stood for the post of high priest - Pontifex Maximus • bribed the key electors • lifetime appointment (but not fulltime) • official residence in heart of Rome • other monetary advantages • 62BC, elected Praetor (next step consul) • allied to Pompey (had already supported in the senate Pompey’s imperium against the pirates) • knew he needed Pompey for his political ambitions in the future • got Governorship of further Spain – great opportunity to make his name in government, gain wealth etc • Caesar fought a war against Spain’s hill tribes and got their silver mines, a fortune for himself & Rome, and more territory for Rome, and entitlement for a Triumph • 60BCE he returned wanting a Triumph & to stand for consul in 59 (but had to forgo the triumph • To stand for consul he had to be in Rome by the deadline, but to enter the city would mean he would lose his triumph • Cato, & other optimate senators afraid of his rising power filibustered the last day to avoid letting his triumph be rescheduled. • Hoping he’d go for the triumph and leave the consul for next year they were shocked he choose to forgo his possible once-in-a-lifetime triumph • He’d showed himself a brilliant commander, a shrewd politician, making powerful friends & enemies.