The Age of Caesar
Essential Questions:
How can we identify and analyze a central idea or theme of a
work of literature?
How can we make modern day connections to the culture,
time periods, and events from other parts of the world?
Who was Julius Caesar?
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Full name: Gaius Julius Caesar
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Born 100 BC
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Brilliant military general
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Married three times
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Had a relationship with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt
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Dictator of Rome
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Invented the Julian calendar
Caesar’s Rise to Power
100-44 BC
Caesar’s Rise to Power
Julius Caesar- greatest
military leader in Roman
history.
Famous for conquering
Gaul (France/Belgium)
Caesar began to have
great power. The people
loved him.
It took Roman senators
by surprise
They feared he would
seize control of the
government.
Pompey
Pompey was also a very
respected man/military
general.
He accomplished so much
and defeated many
menacing opponents.
Due to his supreme
military career, he was
granted authority and
power over large spans of
land.
Pompey and Caesar
After his many victories,
Pompey returned to Rome.
He did not want to be a
dictator.
He aligned himself with
Crassus, a very wealthy
Roman, and Caesar.
Caesar was a large supporter
of Pompey and helped him
gain people’s respect.
Pompey helped Caesar
become elected consul.
Pompey and Caesar
After trouble arose in
Rome under King
Clodius, Pompey was
granted dictatorial
powers.
When Julia (Caesar’s
daughter, Pompey’s wife)
died, the personal link
between Caesar and
Pompey disappeared.
He started to become
jealous of Caesar…
Caesar vs. Pompey
In 48 B.C., the Senate
ordered Caesar to give up
his command in one of
Rome’s provinces, Gaul.
He refused and crossed
with his troops into Italy,
starting a civil war.
Caesar vs. Pompey
Caesar started to be
taunted by Pompey.
He passed a law to
limit Caesar’s term
in Gaul.
A large scale reaction
from Caesar was
inevitable.
Caesar suggested
multiple times that
both he and Pompey
resign.
Pompey refused and
raised more troops in
Italy.
Caesar was faced with a
decision…
Submit to his enemies
or take power by force.
On January 6, 49 BC he
led his troops across the
Rubicon and was at war
with Rome.
Civil War
Pompey was not prepared for
the swiftness of Caesar.
Some of Pompey’s troops had
been previously led by Caesar.
Caesar moved with force and
town after town surrendered
as he raced south toward
Pompey.
Pompey knew he could not rely
on his troops to be loyal.
He fled south, hopped on a ship,
and sailed east.
Caesar vs. Pompey
Caesar was left with no
enemy to fight in Italy.
Rather than chase after
Pompey, he attacked the
west (Spain) who were
loyal to Pompey.
Many in Spain joined
him.
He returned to Rome and
became dictator.
Caesar vs. Pompey
When Caesar became
dictator he was very
popular.
Passed popular laws, was
a man of the people.
He prepared to head east
where a large army was
forming under Pompey…
Caesar the Victor
Pompey had control of
the seas.
After many months of
“cat and mouse”,
Pompey’s army was
destroyed.
Some of his troops joined
Caesar. Pompey escaped
to the coast and headed
towards Egypt.
Caesar the Victor
Pompey was killed by an assassin in Egypt.
The Pompeians still had control over much of the sea. Caesar’s
work was not yet done.
Finally in July of 47 BC, Caesar was back in Rome. He
assembled a stronger army and headed back to Africa where he
destroyed the Pompeian troops.
Caesar as Dictator
After the wars were over, he returned to
Rome and astonished the world by granting
amnesty to all his past enemies.
He brought order to Rome!
Revised tax laws, resettled Romans to new
homes, reformed the calendar, improved the
infrastructure, helped the people.
Julius Caesar
By William Shakespeare
We begin with Caesar, who has
returned to Rome, and there are
mixed feelings about him.
Should Caesar be king? Is he
worthy of the throne?