JULIUS CAESAR: MILITARY RISE AND FALL

BORN LEADER

• Born July, 100 BC
• Political family
• Highly educated, private tutor
• Roman Law, public speaking, foreign languages
• Charismatic, eloquent speaker

ROMAN REPUBLIC

• Greatest Mediterranean power at the time
• Weakening because infighting
• Revolutionaries: people mistrust government
• Caesar's family sides with revolutionaries
• Caesar's intent: save Rome from self-destruction

EARLY POLITICAL CAREER

• 80 BC (20y) served in Roman army
• Awarded corona civica for bravery in battle
• Highest honor to non-commander*
• 69 BC (30y) elected quaestor of Roman province
• Region current Portugal & southern Spain

CORONA CIVICA

"Alexander at my age had conquered so many nations, and I have all this time done nothing that is memorable."

CONSUL

• 59 BC (40y) elected one of two consuls
• 1 year position
• Head of state, near absolute authority
• Formed political alliance with Crassus & Pompey
• First Triumvirate

GOVERNOR IN GAUL

• 58 BC (41y) governor of Roman province in Gaul
• 58-50 BC conquers Gaul
• Fought with his soldiers
• Earned respect of his army

CAESAR'S CONQUEST OF GAUL FOR ROMAN EMPIRE

TURNING POINT

• Roman officials jealous of Caesar's popularity
• Roman people supportive of Caesar
• Pompey grows suspicious, Crassus killed, alliance collapses
• Caesar wants to run for consul again
• Ignores orders to disband army before returning to Rome

CIVIL WAR ERUPTS

• Jan 10, 49 BC: Caesar crosses Rubicon River with his army
• Boundary between Rome & Gaul
• Result: 4 years Civil War in Rome
• Saying: "crosssing the Rubicon" refers to irreversible decision

CIVIL WAR

• 49 BC: Caesar took control of Rome
• Declared himself dictator
• Chased Pompey for 18 months, finally killed in Egypt
• 47 BC: crushed opponents who fled to Africa & Spain
• 46 BC: Senate declares Caesar dictator for life

CAESAR'S INFLUENCE

• Credited with extensive social & political reform
• New buildings & temples in Rome
• Julian calendar with 365 days & leap year
• Increased size of Senate, added his supporters
• Changed Senate composition to represent Roman population

FAST TO FALL

• Some officials feared Caesar too powerful
• Wanted to preserve Roman Republic
• Sixty senators planned assassination
• March 15, 44 BC, stabbed 23 times as entered Senate
• Caesar fell dead at foot of Pompey's statue

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