Introduction to Greek and Roman HistoryLecture 18

The Ides of March and the last days of the Republic 

Zela 46 BC

Denarius of Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XV Caesarion at the temple of Dendera

Africa Nova

Cato’ suicideCato’s suicide "I were willing to be saved by grace of Caesar, I ought to go to him in person and see him alone; but I am unwilling to be under obligations to the tyrant for his illegal acts. And he acts illegally in saving, as if their master, those over whom he has no right at all to be the lord. However, if it is thy wish, let us consider jointly how thou mayest obtain mercy for the three hundred." Plutarch, Life of Cato the Younger, 66.2

October 46: Caesar in Rome

When Caesar came back to Rome from Africa, to begin with, he made a boastful speech to the people concerning his victory, asserting that he had subdued a country large enough to furnish annually for the public treasury two hundred thousand Attic bushels of grain, and three million pounds of olive oil. Next, he celebrated triumphs, an Egyptian, a Pontic, and an African, the last not for his victory over Scipio, but ostensibly over Juba the king. Plutarch, Life of Caesar 55.1

Forum Iulium, 54-46

Forum Iulium, 54-46

Silver denarius, R/ DICT PERPETVO CAESAR, wreathed and veiled head of Caesar right; V/ SEPVLLIVS MACER, Venus standing left, Victory in right, long vertical scepter in left, shield at feet to right.

Julius Caesar. February-March 44 BC. AR Denarius (3.95 gm). L. Aemilius Buca, moneyer. CAESAR IM P M, laureate head right; crescent behind / L AEMILIVS BVCA, Venus standing left, holding Victoria and sceptre.

Denarius of Julius Caesar, Aeneas flees from Troy

42 Denarius from mint at Smyrna; C. Cassius IMP Leibertas; Rev: Lentulus Spint

Julius Caesar (capite velato) pontifex Max

The Empire at the death of Caesar

Mutina, 21st April 43When his designs were opposed by Marcus Antonius, who was then consul, and on whose help he had especially counted, and Antony would not allow him even common and ordinary justice without the promise of a heavy bribe, he went over to the aristocrats, who he knew detested Antony, especially because he was besieging Decimus Brutus at Mutina, and trying to drive him by force of arms from the province given him by Caesar and ratified by the senate. Suetonius, Life of Augustus, 10.2

Battle at Phillipi

The Battle of IMages