Gaius Julius Caesar
Part I
Magister Henderson
Latin III / IV
About Gaius Iulius Caesar
• Born in 100 BC in Rome.
• His family (gens Iulia) claimed to be
descended from Aeneas and his son Iulus.
• The cognomen “Caesar” is likely derived from
caedō, -ere “to cut” (participle: caesus).
• This is probably because one of his ancestors
was delivered via C-section.
Caesar’s Early Life
• The years before his birth were marked by many
social upheavals, including those of the Gracchi
brothers as well as by his uncle through marriage,
Gaius Marius.
• At sixteen Caesar, already head of his family
following his father’s death, was nominated to
the priesthood of Jupiter by Marius.
• But after Marius’ death, Marius’ rival Sulla
stripped Caesar of his inheritance and priestly
office.
Caesar’s Early Life (continued)
• However on his mother’s side Caesar had ties
to Sulla’s faction, so a small part of his
inheritance was restored, though his
priesthood was not.
• Sulla was reported to have reluctantly spared
Caesar, saying that he saw “many Marius’ in
Caesar”.
• Nevertheless Caesar remained in exile in
Bithynia until Sulla’s death in 78 BC.
Caesar’s Early Life (continued)
• Being poor in resource, but being of a
distinguished family, Caesar turned to a career in
law, building a modest fortune.
• While on a business trip in the Aegean Sea he
was kidnapped by pirates.
• After being ransomed back, he hunted down the
pirates and had them crucified.
• After returning to Rome he was elected military
tribute, the first of his elected offices.
Caesar’s Political Career
• In 69 BC Caesar continued his path down the
cursus honorum, the succession of political
offices in the Roman Republic, gaining the
quaestorship.
• In 63 BC Caesar ran for, and ultimately won
the election for Pontifex Maximus, the
highest priestly office in the land.
• His opponents were far more experienced,
and there were accusations of bribery.
Caesar’s Political Career (continued)
• In 62 BC Caesar was elected to the praetorship,
and granted the governorship of the province of
Spain.
• He won two military victory over hostile native
tribes, and was thus eligible for a triumph,
however he also planned to run for the
consulship, and by law he could not do both.
• Ultimately he gave up his rights to the triumph to
run for consul in 59 BC, which he won along with
Marcus Bibulus.
Caesar’s Political Career (continued)
• Though the consulship was supposedly a shared
office, Caesar proved to be forceful enough to
intimidate Bibulus into non-action, at least once
by physical force.
• The year was often indicated casually by the
names of the two consuls serving that year.
Caesar had so overshadowed Bibulus that the
year 59 BC was jokingly referred to as “the
consulship of Julius and Caesar”.
The End of Caesar’s Consulship
• However Caesar had amassed large financial
debts due to his political campaigns (and
possible bribes).
• To secure his financial safety he entered into a
political partnership with Marcus Licinius
Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome.
• At the end of his conulship he secured for
himself governorship of the Cisalpine Gaul.
Roman Priestly Colleges
• Pontifices- headed by the Pontifex Maximus,
included the Rex Sacrorum, the fifteen flamens,
and the six Vestals.
• Augars- oversaw the taking of the auspices, that
is, interpretation of divine signals.
• Quindecimviri- guarded the Sybilline books and
regulated worship of non-Roman deities.
• Epulones- were responsible for oversight of
sacred feasts and banquets.
The Cursus Honorum
• Military Tribune- 24 elected annually, served in the
legions as staff officers under the Legatus.
• Quaestor- 20 elected annually, responsible for
financial duties, including administration of public
games
• Aedile- 4 elected annually, responsible for upkeep
of public works, temples and markets.
• Praetor- 8 elected annually, served as judges for
civil disputes.
• Consul- 2 elected annually, each with power of veto
over the other. Served as supreme military
commanders.
Other Offices Outside the Cursus
• Censor- Elected for 18 month term, rather than
one year. Responsible for the census, assigning
tribal voting class, and managing membership roll
of the senate.
• Governor- praetors and consuls were assigned to
manage provinces after their year in office, and
given the title propraetor or proconsul.
• Legatus- served as second-in-command to a
provincial governor.
Other Offices (continued)
• Tribune of the Plebs- Office reserved for plebians, 10
elected annually. Had power to protect those of
plebian rank from legal prosecution, and limited
power to introduce laws. By law the Tribune could
never be more than a days journey from Rome.
• Dictator- Traditionally a temporary office, reserved
for times of crisis. Held supreme military power.
• Magister Equitum- Second-in-command to the
dictator, also a temporary office.