1. Julius Caesar

2. During the Civil War, Caesar organized his own army
He took that army North to Gaul (France) and conquered it in the name of Rome
“Veni, Vidi, Vici”
(“I came, I saw, I conquered”)

3. Caesar returns to Rome a hero and pronounced himself dictator
He had absolute power
He kept the Senate as a show piece to appease the Roman people
* Why do you think Caesar had little trouble becoming a dictator in Rome?
Caesar’s power increased = Senate wanted him out, they did not want a King!! (Etruscans)

4. Ides of March
A fortune teller told Caesar that friends would plot against him
Caesar leaves the fortune teller and walks into the Senate
7 Senators who were good friends of Caesar stabbed him to death

6. After the death of Caesar the citizens were angered
Rome now wanted an Emperor instead of a corrupt Senate
The Roman Republic ends--- Imperial Rome begins
Octavian takes over after the civil war with Pompei
Octavian is given the title Augustus Caesar
Caesars rule Rome until its fall

7. Good and Bad Caesars follow
Marcus Aurelius- a philosopher leader.. Reads philosophy and promotes the Roman golden age Pax Romana
Hadrian- builds wall across Britan to protect from barbarians
Bad
Nero – persecutes Christians and sets fire to the majority of Rome
Caligula- claimed to be insane…appoints his favorite horse as a consul