Julius Caesar

Early life of Caesar Born 100 BCE into a patrician family The Julii claimed descent from the gods At the age of 19 he is proscribed by Sulla and goes into hiding in the Italian countryside. As a young man (25) he was captured by pirates on his way to a university in Rhodes At the age of 35 he was made Pontifex Maximus He followed the usual route of the cursus honorum.

The First Triumvirate

Caesar’s military campaigns http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268312/art/figures/KISH_05_104.gif

Military Actions 58 BCE - defeats the Helvetii and the Germans 55 BCE – invades Britain 52 BCE - conquers Gaul. 49 BCE – crosses the Rubicon and thus begins civil war 48 BCE – defeats Pompey at Pharsalus 47 BCE – Alexandrian war

The final battle of the war in Gaul took place at Alesia against the rebel leader Vercingetorix.

Siege of Alesia 52 BCE 80,000 men in Alesia 100,000 – 200,000 soldiers in the Gallic relief army 11 miles of circumvallation 13 miles on contravallation Built in approximately 3 weeks

Siege of alesia

: www.skene.be/CE/archeoloj/AJ09021103.html

The triumvirate crumbles when Caesar’s daughter Julia dies in 54 BCE and Crassus is killed in 53 BCE. In 50 BCE the Senate demands that Caesar lay down his command and return to Rome if he wanted to run for re- election. Caesar knew he would die if he did this! In 49 BCE Caesar crosses the Rubicon…

Battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE) Pompey vs Caesar 40,000 vs 22,000 Pompey holds the high ground But Caesars men are veterans Pompey loses and flees to Egypt.

Caesar & Cleopatra After the defeat of Pompey, Caesar sails to Egypt where he becomes embroiled in the civil war between Cleopatra (19) and her brother Ptolemy (10). Cleopatra smuggles herself in to see Caesar hidden in a rolled up carpet. Caesar and Cleopatra become lovers and he installs her on the Egyptian throne. They have one son together – Caesarian. Cleopatra comes to Rome with Caesar and remains there until his death in 44 BCE.

Battle of Zela (Syria 47BCE)

Caesar’s triumph

Caesar’s triumph A triumph is a grand parade celebrating military victories. Caesar’s lasts 4 days for his victories in Gaul, Egypt, Africa and Asia Minor. The parade consists of important prisoners of war (who are later strangled), followed by Caesar himself dressed in purple in the triumphal chariot. He is followed by his legions who drink and sing rude songs about their leader. Following the soldiers are the carts full of loot. Each soldier gets a share – the spectators get handouts too! After the parade comes the entertainment – mock naval battles, gladiatorial games and a feast for 22,000 people!

Honours Awarded the title of Pater Patriae – father of his country. Named dictator in perpetuity and consul for life. His birthday, July 12, was proclaimed a national holiday and his birth month is named after him. He was the first living man to appear on Roman Republican coinage. Was deified after his death in Rome. In the Eastern part of the empire, like Egypt, he was proclaimed a god while still alive.

Achievements and Reforms 50 BCE Publicly posted the “Daily Acts” of the Senate and the Assembly (like an ancient form of Hansard). Cancelled ¼ of public debt. 46 BCE reformed the calendar – 365 days with an extra day added every four years – from 355 days Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic Wars and Civil War are still read today as a valuable first hand account of this time, and appreciated for their clear, incisive prose. The name Caesar was used as title for 2000 years after his death. (Kaisar / Tsar)

Public works Rostra of marble A new senate (curia julia) A temple to Venus A public library A new market place New courthouses

Beware the ides of march! Click text below to view large image or purchase this item in our shop Large Open Edition Art Print Small Open Edition  Art Print   Canvas Edition Art Print Murder of Caesar by Karl Theodore van Piloty

Murder most foul! Many patricians were unhappy with the honours and powers granted Caesar. Cassius and Brutus, and 60 others form a conspiracy to kill Caesar. And you know the rest…. The conspirators had hoped to restore the Republic but instead they started a bloody civil war.

Caesar in popular culture

Fiction Masters of Rome, a series of six novels by the Australian writer, Colleen McCullough Emperor Series, a series of four novels by the writer, Conn Iggulden Roma Sub Rosa, a series of historical mysteries by the American writer, Steven Saylor Theatre Caesar and Cleopatra, a play by George Bernard Shaw Julius Caesar, a play by William Shakespeare TV Julius Caesar as depicted by Asterix illustrator Albert Uderzo. Cleopatra (1999 mini-series) played by Timothy Dalton a 2002 TV movie called Julius Caesar, which depicts his active life Rome (TV series), played by Ciarán Hinds Julius Caesar (2002) TV, played by Jeremy Sisto Wayne and Shuster's comedy sketch Rinse the Blood off My Toga is a spoof of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in the form of a Dragnet episode Xena: Warrior Princess highlighted Julius Caesar as a major protagonist, as played by actor Karl Urban Histeria!, where Caesar's appearance is based on Frank Sinatra A modern-day Julius Caesar is portrayed in the Internet sitcom Custer and Julius: Beyond 2000 by actor Steve Anderson. Film Played by Louis Calhern in Julius Caesar (1953) Played by John Gavin in Spartacus (1960) Played by Rex Harrison in Cleopatra (1963) Played by John Gielgud in Julius Caesar (1970) Comics Asterix comics, written by the French writer René Goscinny and drawn by Albert Uderzo. Games Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego features Julius Caesar in one of its stages.