Julius Caesar The Gallic Wars Young caesar Gaius

Julius Caesar: The Gallic Wars

Young caesar • Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC • Targeted as a political opponent by dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla – Forced to go in to hiding • Eventually joined the Roman Army

Caesar Cont. • Once captured by pirates and held for ransom • Promised to crucify the men once he was freed • When freed, immediately sailed to find his captors, cut their throats and had them crucified

Caesar Cont. • Caesar continued to increase his rank as a military leader until his early forties • At this point, Caesar was forced to choose between politics and the military • Caesar’s choice would forever change the history of Rome.

Caesar Consulship • In 59 BC, Julius Caesar was elected as one of the two Consuls of Rome. – One year term • First Triumvirate – Caesar becomes allies with two of Rome’s most powerful men – Pompey- Rome’s most successful General – Crassus- Rome’s richest man Caesar Pompey Crassus

Post Consulship • Thanks to the Triumvirate, Caesar was given control over large portions of Northern Italy • Caesar used this to win military glory and to help pay off large debts. • For the next 6 to 8 years, Caesar would use his power to expand his rule in Gaul, Germany, and Britain.

Alesia (52 BC) • Tiring of Caesar’s expansion into Gaul, many Gallic tribes unite under Vercingetorix • Caesar knew that he must defeat Vercingetorix in order to end Gallic resistance • The two would meet face to face at Alesia

Alesia (52 BC) • Led by Vercingetorix, 70, 000 Gauls fortified themselves within the walls of the elevated city. • Caesar, realizing that an attempted siege would result in the death of hundreds of his men, ordered his 45, 000 men to blockade the city.

Alesia (52 BC) • Unfortunately for Caesar, several Gallic cavalry snuck through the Roman lines – Gathered surrounding tribes to form a relief army • Caesar fortified his position – Now had to protect from attacks on both sides

Alesia (52 BC) • The relief army arrived at Alesia with over 250, 000 men and attacked the Romans • Simultaneously, Vercingetorix attacked the Romans from the inner city • The Gallic troops were less organized and struggled to traverse the Roman defenses

Aftermath • After 3 major attempts, the Gauls became surrounded by the Romans and began to scatter • Vercingetorix surrendered soon after • Romans- 12, 800 Killed or Wounded • Gauls- 60, 000 -90, 000 Killed – 40, 000 Captured • Virtually ends Gaul’s ability to resist Romans

Tension in the Triumvirate 1. Crassus and his son were killed in battle 2. Pompey’s wife (Caesar’s daughter) died during childbirth Crassus – Caesar offered his other daughter but Pompey declined – Instead he married a political opponent of Caesar 3. Pompey became Consul in 52 BC and was pressured into ordering the removal of legions from Caesar’s control

Caesar’s Civil War (49— 45 BC) • Caesar fears he will be persecuted by Pompey if he returns to Rome • Instead, Caesar leads his legions across the Rubicon river into Italy • This begins a civil war in Rome

Caesar’s Troops Rubicon River- Official frontier line of Italy

Caesar’s Civil War • Despite having a larger army, Pompey (and several senators) flees to Macedonia. – Caesar pursued but could not catch him • In Rome, Caesar was appointed dictator but resigned in hopes of tracking down Pompey • Caesar leads his men to Spain and defeats Pompey’s military • He then sets his eyes on finding Pompey in Greece Fleeing Pompey

Caesar's Civil War • Caesar faced Pompey again in Greece at Pharsalus • In a hard fought battle, Caesar was victorious despite being greatly outnumbered 2 to 1 • Pompey Fled again to Egypt. • Ptolemy XII (ruler of Egypt) had Pompey killed immediately Fleeing Pompey…. Again

Spending Some Quality time IN Egypt • Not realizing Pompey was dead, Caesar continued to Egypt • Once there, he became involved in an Egyptian feud over power between siblings – Cleopatra and Ptolemy • Caesar sided with Cleopatra • Afterwards he had a continuous affair (and a child) with Cleopatra

One big Happy Family Alexander the Great Ptolemy I Ptolemy XIII Cleopatra VII Julius Caesar Mark Antony Alexander Helios Caesarion Alexander Helio Cleopatra Selene II

“Veni, Vidi, Vici” • After leaving Egypt Caesar continued to track down and destroy Pompey’s remaining forces • Major victories include – Thapsus – N Africa (46 BC) – Munda – Spain (45 BC) • After these final victories, Caesar returned to Rome to retake his position as “dictator for life”

Death of Caesar • March 15 th, 44 BC • Caesar was to attend gladiatorial games at the Theatre of Pompey • Before arriving, he was stopped and encircled by a group of senators – Marcus Junius Brutus – Gaius Cassius Longinus • Caesar was stabbed 23 times and laid dead under a statue of Pompey

“Beware the Ides of March”

Post Caesar Rome • Power assumed by the Second Triumvirate – Marc Antony • Military leader under Caesar – Octavian • Caesar’s 19 yr old Great Nephew and chosen heir – Lepidus • Cavalry commander

Avenging Caesar • Antony and Octavian set out to find Brutus and Cassius – Both men committed suicide after losing significant battles • Shortly after, the Triumvirate agreed to separate the empire into 3 “spheres of influence”

Collapse of the Triumvirate 1. Lepidus attempts to take legions from Octavian 2. Antony loses battles in the East and is forced to receive support from Cleopatra in Egypt 3. Despite being married to Octavian’s sister, Antony maintains a relationship with Cleopatra and has 3 children 4. Octavian exposes Antony’s new allegiance to Egypt 5. Senate declares war against Cleopatra

Battle of Actium (31 BC) • Antony and Cleopatra decided to launch a preemptive attack on Italy • Unfortunately, they only made it as far as Greece before being met by Octavian's fleet • Antony’s fleet took refuge near Actium for several months • Finally, Antony was urged by Cleopatra to return to Egypt • When Octavian attempted to block Antony’s fleet, a battle ensued

Aftermath • Antony and Cleopatra escape but their fleet is destroyed • As the Romans approached Egypt – Believing Cleopatra had already committed suicide, he stabs himself – Before she could be executed by Octavian, she commits suicide by the bite of an asp – Ends Rule of the Ptolemy’s in Egypt

Aftermath • In Rome… – Octavian is left in sole command – Becomes first Roman Emperor (27 B. C. ) – Has Julius Caesar’s son strangled – Gains the title Augustus (“revered one”) – Effectively ends Republicanism in Rome – Ensures his power by relying on his full time professional army – Dies in 14 C. E. – Begins 200 year Pax Romana (Roman Peace)