FamilyBackground Julius bornapprox. July 12, 100 BC Mother:
Aurelia Father: Gaius Julius Caesar Noble family history, little
wealth or power. The month July is named for Caesar.
The Early Years He was betrothed to a wealthy young woman,
Cossutia, but the union was called off. At 18, he married Cornelia,
the daughter of a member of the Popular faction instead (there were
two factions: Popular and Optimate). They had a child named Julia
(Caesars only legitimate child). Caesar went into hiding when the
Optimate dictator, Sulla, ordered him to divorce his wife and he
refused. Sulla died in 78 BC, and Caesar returned to Rome to begin
a career as an orator and lawyer. Awarded the civic crown for
saving the life of a citizen in battle.
Pirates of 75 BC Caesar was kidnapped on his way to Greece by
Sicilian Pirates. When told that they meant to ask for 20 talents
for his return, he insisted that he was worth 50 (a talent is 71
pounds of gold). He warned them that he would find and crucify them
after his release. True to his word, he tracked down the pirates
and crucified them.
Alliances elected to military tribune (elected by In 72 BC he
was are formed the plebians to protect their interests). His wife
Cornelia passed away in 69 BC and he married Pompeia, the
granddaughter of Sulla. In 68/67 BC Caesar elected to the Senate.
65 elected curuleaedile (responsible for building maintenance and
rule enforcement) 63 - elected pontifusmaximus (in Greek, literally
means greatest bridge maker) 63 BC- he divorced Pompeia 60 BC- the
first Triumvirate was formed: Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus
Crassus.
Alliances and Life Continued 59 BC - Caesars daughter (Julia)
married Pompey the Great to strengthen their alliance. 59 BC -
Caesar married Calpurnia (daughter of a leading member of Popular
faction). 58 BC - Goes to Gaul 54 BC Goes to Britain Julia died in
54 BC in childbirth.
Triumvirate Falls Crassus was killed by the Parthians in 54 BC
In 52 BC Pompey movedthatOptimate faction because without Julia and
Crassus there is nothing to links Pompey to Caesar. In 49 BC Caesar
led armies across the Rubicon River--automatic civil war against
Pompey. Caesar andloss of in a public split--neither without Pompey
honor and dignity, could yield He then returned to Rome where he
was elected consul (highest military and civil position).
Mid life Power 48 BC- Caesar travelled to Pharsalus to battle
Pompey. Though outnumbered Caesar led his men to victory. All Roman
citizens captured were pardoned, including Brutus. Pompey escaped
to Egypt.
Military Expansion 48 BC- Caesar landed in Alexandria and was
presented with Pompeys head. Cleopatra persuades Caesar to help her
gain rule in Egypt. June 23, 47 BC- Cleopatra established as a
client ruler in alliance with Rome. Caesar left Rome. Cleopatra
gave birth to a son, Caesarion, who she claimed belonged to Caesar.
It was after defeating Pharnaces in Asia Minor that Caesar coined
the phrase veni, vidi, vici which means I came, I saw, I
overcame
Celebration and Revolution Back in Rome he settled the problems
that were caused by Antonys mismanagement July 25, 46 BC the
unchallenged Caesar celebrated four splendid triumphs, over Gauls,
Egyptians, Pharnaces, and Juba, and he sent for Cleopatra. In the
position of dictator, Caesar would announce his decisions to the
Senate and had them entered on the record without debate of vote.
April, 45 BC the sons of Pompey led a revolt in Spain and Caesar
had to go himself to gain victory.
Death March 15, 44BC Caesar attended the last meeting of the
Senate. 60 conspirators, with concealed daggers in their togas,
struck Caesar no less than 23 times as he stood at the base of
Pompeys statue. The conspirators underestimated Mark Antony, who
had a whole legion behind him, as well as the keys to Caesars money
boxes and his will.
