1. Background Information
Julius Caesar
Background Information

2. A Brief History of Rome Rome before Republic (8th 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.

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.