Julius Caesar Background Information A Brief History of

Julius Caesar Background Information

A Brief History of Rome � Rome before Republic (8 th century BC) ◦ Led by Etruscan kings during this time ◦ The rape of Lucretia: an Etruscan king’s son rapes a Roman lady of exceptional virtue. She makes this public and then stabs herself. ◦ There is an uprising, and this pushes the Etruscans out of Rome.

Senators, Consuls, and Tribunes (from 509 BC) � 510 BC: founding of Roman Republic � Dictator (or Emperor) ◦ he overlooks the senate ◦ elected for six months � The Roman Senate ◦ consists of 300 members ◦ This position is for life ◦ They select those who will take their place if they die. ◦ They choose two people to become heads of state (known as praetors or consuls)

Senators, Consuls, and Tribunes (from 509 BC) con. � Praetors/Consuls ◦ elected for one year only ◦ They govern Rome. ◦ They must agree on every decision. � Tribunes ◦ They make sure the rights of the people are being considered. � Plebs ◦ The citizens of Rome (divided into two classes) �Proletarians: urban poor freed slaves �Patricians: wealthy citizens

Julius Caesar � Triumvirs: power shared between three rulers ◦ The First Triumvirate: Julius Caesar, Crassus, Pompey � Caesar: military leader ◦ led military victories against Gaul (now France and Belgium) and Britain. � Pompey feared his military strength and popularity. ◦ Ordered Caesar to give up his army. ◦ Caesar refused, led army to Italy.

Julius Caesar con. � Civil War against Pompey ◦ Caesar forced Pompey and rivals to flee to the Balkans. He pursued Pompey to Egypt, where he discovered Pompey had been murdered. � Pompey’s forces reorganized ◦ final battle in Spain � Caesar vs. Pompey’s sons ◦ Caesar won. ◦ The beginning of Shakespeare’s play – Caesar returning from this battle � Caesar was seen as a possible end to Roman Republic and its democratic ideals.