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Julius Caesar. History. His Name. Gaius His given name was one of only eight names given to boys Julius His family name Caesar Name of Gaius’ branch of the Julius family (originally mean “hairy”) HAIR. Upbringing. Poor patricians who lived among the plebians
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Julius Caesar History
His Name • Gaius • His given name was one of only eight names given to boys • Julius • His family name • Caesar • Name of Gaius’ branch of the Julius family (originally mean “hairy”) • HAIR
Upbringing • Poor patricians who lived among the plebians • Good name with the upper class • Mingled with both classes • Good mother (Aurelia) • Father died when Caesar was 15
Caesar Builds Prominence • Uncle Marius: Six-time consul • As a teenager, Caesar named Flamen Dialis • High Priest of Jupiter, for life • Extreme prestige • Wealth • However, not allowed to • Touch metal • Ride horses • See corpses • So Caesar left Rome
Caesar Enters Dangerous Times • Uncle Marius is reelected a 7th time, but dies soon after • Marius’ ally, Cinna, takes over • Caesar marries Cinna’s daughter, Cornelia • Without his uncle’s power to protect him, Caesar must be careful to protect himself against his uncle’s longtime enemy, Sulla
Caesar Enters Dangerous Times • Cinna Dies • The enemy Sulla takes over Rome and all leftover Marius supporters with the help of Crassus and Pompey • Sulla names himself dictator • He demands Caesar divorce Cornelia and takes away his Flamen Dialis title
Caesar Regroups • Caesar’s family beg for his life and he is pardoned • Although not exiled, he leaves Italy anyway • He joins the Army in Asia Minor and achieves title of corona civica, another extremely high honor • Returns to Rome and builds up his reputation again
A Roman Government Refresher • Patricians: Full citizens • Plebian: Partial citizens • Slaves: No rights as citizens
A Roman Government Refresher • Consuls: Heads of state, usually 2 elected by Senate • Senate: Legislature elected to represent the citizens • Plebiscite: Legislature elected to represent the Plebians (advisory only) • Tribunes: Local reps of plebians within specific Roman districts
60 BC • Caesar • Gaul, Southern France, Britain, Germany • Crassius • Southern Italy • Pompey • Greece, Asia Minor, etc.
51 BC • Crassus Dies • Pompey & Senate scheme for total control of Rome; order Caesar to disband armies
51 BC • Caesar Refuses and attacks Rome. • He wins and sends Pompey to exile where he dies in Egypt
Caesar’s Reign • 48 BC: Named dictator by the senate • 46 BC: Named dictator for 10 years • 45 BC: Named dictator for life • 45 BC: Caesar defeats Pompey’s sons in Munda, Spain • 44 BC: Caesar seeks to be named king