1. The Life and Death of
Julius Caesar

2. Family Background
 Julius born approx. July 12, 100 BC
 Mother: Aurelia
 Father: Gaius Julius Caesar
 Noble family history, little wealth or
power.
 The month “July” is named for Caesar.

3. The Early Years
 He was betrothed to a wealthy young woman, Cossutia,
but the union was called off.
 At 18, he married Cornelia, the daughter of a member
of the Popular faction instead.
 They had a child named Julia (Caesar’s only legitimate
child).
 Caesar went into hiding when the Optimate dictator,
Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he refused.
 Sulla died in 78 BC, and Caesar returned to Rome to
begin a career as an orator and lawyer.
 Skilled as a soldier, became known for skills. Awarded
the civic crown for saving the life of a citizen in battle.

4. Pirates of 75 BC
 Caesar was kidnapped on his way to Greece by
Sicilian pirates. When told that they meant to
ask for 20 talents for his return, he insisted
that he was worth 50.
 He warned them that he would find and
crucify them after his release.
 True to his word, he tracked down the pirates
and crucified them.

5. Alliances are formed
 In 72 BC he was elected to military tribune.
 His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BC and he
married Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla.
 In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the Senate.
 65 elected curule aedile
 63 - elected pontifus maximus
 63 BC- he divorced Pompeia
 60 BC- the first Triumvirate was formed: Caesar,
Pompey the Great, and Marcus Crassus.

6.  59 BC - Caesar’s daughter (Julia) married Pompey the
Great to strengthen their alliance.
 59 BC - Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter of a
leading member of Popular faction).
 58 BC - to Gaul
 54 BC - to Britain
 Julia died in 54 BC in childbirth.
 52 BC – back to Gaul (Battle of Alesia)

7. Triumvirate Falls
 Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BC
 In 52 BC Pompey moved to Optimate faction because
without Julia and Crassus there is nothing that links
Pompey to Caesar.
 Caesar and Pompey in a public split--neither could yield
without loss of honor and dignity,
 In 49 BC Caesar led armies across the Rubicon River--
automatic civil war against Pompey.
 Pompey to Spain to gather troops, then to Greece. Caesar
follows him to Greece.

8. Mid life Power
 48 BC- Caesar traveled to
Pharsalus to battle Pompey. Though
outnumbered (20,000 to 46,000)
Caesar led his men to victory.
 All Roman citizens captured were
pardoned, including Brutus. Pompey
escaped to Egypt.

9. Military Expansion
 48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented with Pompey’s
head. Cleopatra persuades Caesar to help her gain rule in Egypt.
 June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a client ruler in alliance with
Rome. Caesar returned to Rome. Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion,
who she claimed belonged to Caesar.
 It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor that Caesar coined the
phrase “veni, vidi, vici” which means “I came, I saw, I overcame”

10. Celebration and Revolution
 Back in Rome he settled problems caused by Antony’s
mismanagement
 July 25, 46 BC the unchallenged Caesar celebrated four splendid
triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent
for Cleopatra.
 Proclaiming himself dictator for life, Caesar would announce his
decisions to the Senate and had them entered on the record without
debate or vote.
 April, 45 BC the sons of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and Caesar
had to go himself to gain victory.

11. Death
 March 15, 44BC Caesar attended the last
meeting of the Senate.
 60 conspirators, with concealed daggers in
their togas, struck Caesar no less than 23
times as he stood at the base of Pompey’s
statue.
 The conspirators underestimated Mark
Antony, who had a whole legion behind him,
as well as the keys to Caesar’s money boxes
and his will.