The Life and Death of
Julius Caesar
By; Michelle, Megan, and
Melissa
Family Background
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Julius was born to Aurelia and Gaius
Julius Caesar approx. July 12, 100 BCE
His family had noble roots, even though
they were neither rich nor influential
His father died around 85 BCE.
The month that Caesar was born was
renamed “July” in his honour.
The Early Years
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He was betrothed and possibly married a wealthy young
woman, Cossutia.
When he was 18 his betrothal was suddenly broken off,
and he married the daughter of a member of the
Popular faction, Cornelia.
They had a child named Julia. She was Caesar’s only
legitimate child.
Caesar was forced to go into hiding when the Optimate
dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he
refused. He was eventually pardoned.
When Sulla died in 78 BCE, Caesar returned to Rome
to begin a career as an orator and lawyer.
He was awarded the civic crown for saving the life of
a citizen in battle.
Pirates of 75 BCE
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Caesar was kidnapped on his way to Greece by
Cilician Pirates. When he was told that they
meant to ask for 20 talents for his return, he
insisted that he was worth 50.
He maintained a friendly relationship with the
pirates but warned them that he would find
and crucify them after his release.
Upon his release he kept true to his promise
and tracked the pirates down with the help of
volunteers. However he slit their throats before
their crucifixion because they had treated him
well.
Alliances are formed
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In 72 BCE he was elected to military tribune.
His wife Cornelia passed away in 69 BCE and he remarried
Pompeia, the granddaughter of Sulla.
In 68/67 BCE Caesar was elected into the Senate.
63 BCE he divorced Pompeia because she was seeing another
man.
60 BCE the first Triumvirate was formed.
The men that formed the Triumvirate were Caesar, Pompey
the Great, and Marcus Crassus.
Caesar married his daughter to Pompey the Great to
strengthen their alliance.
Caesar married Calpurnia.
His daughter died in 54 BCE in childbirth.
Triumvirate Falls
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Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BCE.
In 52 BCE Pompey moves to Optimate faction because
without Julia and Crassus there is nothing that links
Pompey to Caesar.
In 49 BCE Pompey’s legions were in Spain Caesar declared
himself dictator in Rome
Caesar then lead his own legions to Spain to head off
Pompey’s forces. He allegedly said “ I’m off to meet an
army without a leader. When I return I shall meet a
leader without an army.”
He than returned to Rome where he was elected consul,
which legalized his position.
Mid life Power
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48BCE Caesar travelled to meet Pompey and
his men, however he did not have enough ships
to transport all his men. He crossed anyways,
and upon their landing, found themselves greatly
outnumbered. Pompey’s 46,000 men and
Caesar’s 21,000 fought on the plains of
Pharsalus, with Caesar’s generalship leading
them to victory.
He pardoned all Roman citizens who were
captured, including Brutus. Pompey escaped, and
fled to Egypt.
Military Expansion
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October 2, 48 BCE Caesar landed in Alexandria and was presented with
Pompey’s head. Here he was approached by Cleopatra and asked to help put
her on the Egyptian throne.
By June 23, 47 BCE, Cleopatra had been established as a client ruler in
alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome, and either immediately after or
before his departure, Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who she
claimed belonged to Caesar.
Caeser travelled thorugh Asia Minor and settled the disturbances there,
including those made by Pharnaces, a rebellious King. It was after defeating
Pharnaces that Caesar coined the phrase “veni, vidi, vici” which means “I
came, I saw, I overcame”
Celebration and Revolution
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When he arrived back in Rome he settled the problems that were
caused by Antony’s mismanagement
July 25, 46 BCE the unchallenged Caesar celebrated four splendid
triumphs, over Gauls, Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent
for Cleopatra.
Although he nominally used the political structure, at times he simply
would announce his decisions to the Senate and had them entered on
the record without debate of vote., because he was holding the position
of dictator.
April, 45 BCE the son of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and Caesar
had to go himself to gain victory.
Death
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March 15, 44BCE Caesar attended the last
meeting of the Senate before he was scheduled
to depart to lead a military campaign against
the Parthinians. Sixty conspirators also
attended, with concealed daggers in the togas,
and struck Caesar no less than 23 times as
he stood at the base of Pompey’s statue. This
is where Caesar said the famous phrase ‘Et
tu, Brutus?’
The conspirators didn’t think to also kill Mark
Antony, who had a whole legion behind him,
as well as the keys to Caesar’s money boxes
and his will.
Historical Importance
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Caesar’s death marked the end of the Roman Republic, and
the beginning of the Roman Empire. The Second
Triumvirate was formed as well, giving power to both Marc
Antony, and Caesar’s son, Octavian. Octavian defeated
Marc Antony, who at this time was married to Cleopatra
(who had also had a relationship with Caesar) and the two
committed suicide together, leaving Octavian as the leader
of the Roman Empire, which would last until 400 CE.
Caeser was a skilled general, and his leadership helped
Rome gain more land. His rule as a dictator lasted over ten
years, although many of his decisions were made without
the decision of the senate.