1. Hail Caesar!
April 30, 2012

2. How to become leader of Rome
Get an army together
Go conquer some far-away land and steal a bunch of money
March back into Rome, show off your riches and loyal army of battle-hardened warriors
Seize power through popularity and fear

3. The First Triumvirate
Julius Caesar had great success at conquests in Gaul and Britain. He used this to seize power in 60BC
He ruled in conjunction with two other popular generals: Pompey and Crassus
Together, they made up the First Triumvirate
Crassus died in battle in 53, Pompey attempted to seize power and allied himself with the powerful Senate
Pompey had the Senate vote to force Caesar to disband his army

4. Crossing the Rubicon
Caesar refused this order and marched his army toward Rome.
The Rubicon river represented the southern boundary to Rome.
Crossing it with his army, could mean treason and could lead to civil war
Caesar took a gamble, civil war followed but he was victorious and accepted as a hero.

5. Hail Caesar
Caesar took control of the Senate and became dictator, for life!
He undertook many reforms to strengthen Rome and protect his own power
Made people outside Italy citizens
Established colonies in North Africa, Spain, France and Greece and sent unemployed Romans there
Increased the pay of soldiers
He dressed in a purple toga, wore a laurel wreath on his head and reveled in many trappings of royalty

6. Conspiracy!
The Senate feared Caesar was going to attempt to crown himself King of Rome
Fear led to conspiracy
Brutus and Cassius conspired to murder Caesar and save the republic
As Caesar entered the Senate on the March 15, 44 he was stabbed to death (23 times) by a gang of conspirators; Roman Senators who called themselves Liberators

7. Caesar Assignment
Write an account from the perspective of a Roman upon hearing the news of Caesar’s Assassination
Describe what happened
Describe how you heard about it
Describe an emotional response
Describe concerns\fears about Caesar being killed
Describe concerns for the future