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Caesar and Rome Background

Caesar and Rome Background. Two thousand years ago, the world was ruled by Rome. From England to Africa and from Syria to Spain, one in every four people on earth lived and died under Roman law. The Roman Empire at 44 BC at the death of Caesar .

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Caesar and Rome Background

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  1. Caesar and Rome Background

  2. Two thousand years ago, the world was ruled by Rome. From England to Africa and from Syria to Spain, one in every four people on earth lived and died under Roman law.

  3. The Roman Empire at 44 BCat the death of Caesar

  4. Compare these two maps. The one on the left shows territories held by Rome before Caesar came to power; the map on the right shows how much Caesar expanded Roman territory.

  5. Another way to compare the growth of the Roman Empire.

  6. Monarchy to Empire • Rome could not handle its own size and power • Romans spent centuries debating and fighting civil wars while trying to decide on the most effective type of government Roman Forum

  7. A Brief History of Roman Government • Monarchy: overthrown in 509 BCE • Republic: 509 – 100 BCE • Triumvirate (3-man rule): 60-48 BCE • Dictatorship: 48 BCE until fall of Rome (apx. 476 CE/AD) Question: Which forms of Roman government lasted the longest?

  8. Roman Republic • Being a citizen of the Roman Republic meant that you could travel and trade throughout the entire area ruled by Rome. • All conquered people had the opportunity to become citizens.

  9. Republican Government • SPQR= SenatusPopulusQueRomanus (Senate and the People of Rome) • Patricians = wealthy nobles • Plebians = everybody else • The Roman Republic was ruled by a Senate and the People

  10. Senate: (Patricians) • Headed by 2 elected Consuls (1 year term) • Proposed laws, oversaw officials, and elected the consuls • Dealt with foreign affairs and the military People (plebians) • organized by tribes • elected 10 tribunes • governed local affairs

  11. Corruption in the Senate • Expanded wealth and territory through a series of foreign wars • Generals became more powerful, they began to ignore the Senate • Internal corruption & conflict wracked the Senate Enter…Julius Caesar!

  12. Julius Caesar • Born into an aristocratic family around 100 BCE • Entered military and rose quickly through the military and political ranks • General • Consul • Governor of Gaul • Was a ruthless conqueror • Wanted to return Rome to an uncorrupt republic. Veni, Vidi, Vici* *I came, I saw, I conquered

  13. First Triumvirate Crassus • Caesar allied himself with two other political figures: • Crassus - wealthy nobleman • Pompey the Great - general • Crassus and Pompey were rivals, but Caesar was able to bring them together • Caesar was Governor of Gaul(modern-day France);recruits soldiers & subdues rest of population • Crassus killed in battle, sets off a power struggle between Pompey & Caesar Pompey

  14. Civil War • A nervous Senate calls on Caesar to resign and disband his army or risk being declared an 'Enemy of the State'. • Caesar marches on Rome, throwing the empire into civil war.

  15. Civil War, continued • No legions were allowed in city of Rome, so Caesar settled his legions outside city walls. He defeat Pompey • Generous in victory, gives rivals amnesty and allows them to return to government positions • What might be the advantages and disadvantages of Caesar allowing his rivals to return to government positions?

  16. Caesar as Dictator • Position insecure • No heir- does not adopt great nephew Octavian (widely known as Augustus) until after his death. Created many enemies due to civil war • Reformed the Roman Calendar • Restructured local governments • Settled veteran soldiers into new homes • Granted citizenship to foreigners • Dictator for 2 years

  17. Julius Caesar Characters Marcus Brutus- friend of Caesar, high-ranking nobleman, idealist, conspirator Portia- Brutus's wife & confidante, daughter of a political figure Julius Caesar- Roman general and senator, aspires to benevolent dictatorship Calpurnia- Caesar’s wife, superstitious and ambitious Cassius- general, unscrupulous & shrewd, organizes conspiracy Octavius Caesar -(Augustus), nephew, heir to throne Mark Antony- general, loyal follower of Caesar, passionate & impulsive M. Aemilus Lepidus- trusted by Octavius, easily controlled Decius- conspirator Soothsayer-oracle or seer, warns Caesar "beware the Ides of March" Casca- conspirator, cynical poseur for Caesar You will receive a copy of this slide for your notes 

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