Rome & Julius Caesar

1. Rome & Julius Caesar

2. Change in Rome • There was a change in Romans from the Rome first ideal • Roman leaders start to put their own needs first • There are a few men who represent this but no one more than Julius Caesar • Though they were selfish they still did some good things

4. Famous Figures • Pompey Magnus • Marcus Crassus • Mark Antony • Cleopatra • Julius Caesar

5. Pompey Magnus • Also known as Pompey the Great • He was a plebian and a Roman general • He became famous at a young age for defeating a group of pirates

6. Pompey Magnus (contd.) • He was loved by the people because of his victories in Spain • As he grew older and stayed in Rome his fame faded • As Julius Caesar became more popular and powerful Pompey sided with the Senate and the rich

7. Marcus Crassus • He was the richest man in Rome • He was a patrician and a Roman general • He was famous for stopping a famous slave rebellion • Spartacus Rebellion

8. Marcus Crassus (contd.) • Crassus was extremely selfish and obsessed with wealth and power • He became rich but he never became as famous as he wanted • He was older when the two more famous and skilled generals Pompey and Julius Caesar came to power • He faded from power as they both rose into positions of power

9. Mark Antony • He was a patrician and a Roman general • He was Julius Caesar’s second-in-command • He was a great military leader but a failure at everything else • He would fight along side his troops

10. Mark Antony (contd.) • He was known for his violent nature, loose moral living, and gambling • He was not qualified for the political positions he was given • He would become one of the most powerful men in Rome even though he was not very “sharp”

11. Cleopatra • She was the last pharaoh of Egypt • She was very plain looking but legend talks about her being very beautiful • She was a master of seduction and used that skill to become leader of Egypt • She was highly intelligent

12. Cleopatra (contd.) • She originally shared the rule of Egypt with her brother • After seducing Julius Caesar she convinced Caesar to make her sole leader of Egypt • They would have a love child that would be Caesar’s only son by blood • She would do the same thing to another famous Roman

13. Julius Caesar • He was a patrician and a Roman general • One of the most famous people in Roman history • He was very ambitious • He was famous for conquering Gaul (modern day France) and sharing his troops hardships

14. Julius Caesar (contd.) • His popularity grew with the people because of his many victories • Caesar was also liked because he talked about changing things to make it better for the people • This led to tension between him and the rich and powerful of Rome

15. The First Triumvirate • A group of the three most powerful men in Rome • It was made up of Marcus Crassus, Pompey Magnus, and Julius Caesar • The group had no official government power • They agreed to share power instead of competing against one another

16. Competition Intensifies • The competition became worse as the year went on between Pompey and Julius Caesar • They were both friends and Pompey was even married to Caesar’s daughter • The competition heated up for a few reasons: • Julius Caesar was becoming more popular for his victories

17. Competition Intensifies • Pompey’s popularity fades as he stays in Rome and he sides with the rich • Julia, Caesar’s daughter, dies so the men no longer share a family connection • Marcus Crassus dies so there is no one to slow the competition down • Julius Caesar is talking about making changes to help the common people

18. The Final Straws • Pompey, with the help of the senators, is elected sole consul instead of sharing it with Caesar • The Senate decides to vote to force Caesar to come home • Caesar is told to leave his army and to return to Rome alone

19. The Decision • Caesar has a decision • Return home embarrassed and maybe face criminal charges • Invade the city of Rome with his army and break every ancient Roman rule and tradition

20. Crossing the Rubicon • The Rubicon river is the natural border that marks the start of the ancient city of Rome • A Roman general could not enter the city of Rome with a battle ready army • It was one of the worst crimes a Roman could commit • It was one of the biggest insults to the gods

21. Crossing the Rubicon • A Roman army had to remove their armor and weapons once they entered the city of Rome • By crossing the Rubicon Caesar is declaring war on Rome • It is one of the most important events in Roman history • Pompey and the senators are not prepared so they leave Rome to prepare to fight

22. Civil War • Pompey and some important senators fight against Caesar • The final battle is in 48 BCE in Brundisium, Greece • Caesar & Antony are outnumbered about 2 to 1 • They still win • Caesar allows the senators who surrender to live • Pompey escapes to Egypt

23. Egypt • Pompey goes to Egypt to recruit an army • The ruler of Egypt has his head cut off as a peace offering to Caesar • Egypt’s ruler wants to stay an independent nation instead of being controlled by Rome • Caesar become furious about his friend’s death and demands justice

24. Egypt (contd.) • With his soldiers Caesar replaces the ruler of Egypt with Cleopatra • Egypt now become a client kingdom of Rome • It is allowed to have its own ruler and laws but they must pay taxes and provide crops to Rome

25. Caesar in Rome • Caesar is forced to return quickly to Rome because Antony cannot run it • He begins reforms to make the country better • He forgives debts for many people • He expands the amount of senators • He starts public building projects and puts Romans to work • He expands the calendar