Julius Caesar (100 BCE - 44 BCE) was a prominent Roman general and statesman. He began his career in Rome holding various political offices. In 58 BCE, he was sent to Gaul where he spent nine years conquering territories in what is now France and Belgium, expanding Rome's power. However, this made him increasingly ambitious and unpopular among political rivals in Rome like Pompey. After defeating Pompey's armies in a civil war, Caesar became dictator of Rome in 49 BCE. As dictator, he implemented reforms but also accumulated more personal power, worrying those who feared he wanted to be king. In 44 BCE, a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius assassinated Caesar on the Ides of

1. THE TUMULTUOUS LIFE OF JULIUS CAESAR (100 BCE-44BCE)
*Remember: BCE years decrease as they approach 0.
BIRTH:
DEATH:
100-69 BCE
Born in Rome; married (1st
wife died); daughter (Julia)
69-62
Elected to political offices;
supported Gen. Pompey
61
Sent to Spain; Governor of
Roman Province of Spain.
58
JC sent to Gaul (N. Italy,
France.); stayed 9 years
conquering central Europe –
an aggressive act seeking
personal ambition.
59
JC made pact with Pompey and
Crassus to get elected as consul;
married off his daughter Julia to
Pompey (not thrilled with JC) to
cement their alliance; JC married
Calpurnia; JC’s strong arm politics not
admired in senate; once out of office,
he could be prosecuted by enemies in
senate.
60
JC back in Rome, he joined
Pompey and Crassus as co-
leaders of Rome forming the
1st Triumvirate.
55-54
JC led 3 military expeditions
in Britain; his bond with
Pompey became strained
after death of JC’s
daughter/Pompey’s wife (in
childbirth) and following the
death of Crassus (killed in
battle); Pompey alone to
rule in Rome.
52
Rioting in Rome; Pompey
named “Consul without a
Colleague” to settle the riots;
without Julia and Crassus,
no more bond existed
between JC and Pompey.
50
JC’s conquest complete in Gaul;
Pompey (in Rome) cut JC’s term
as Gov. in Gaul short and told
him he’d be prosecuted if he
returned to Rome; honor, dignity,
and power on the line for JC;
Pompey ordered JC to disband
his armies and stay away.
47
JC followed Pompey to Egypt; Pompey was
assassinated; JC allied (politically and
romantically) with Cleopatra, heir to the
Egyptian throne; Romans defeated Egyptian
armies; Cleopatra had JC’s illegitimate son,
Caesrion; JC and armies left Egypt as
victors; conquered parts of Asia Minor on the
route back to Rome; defeats there were so
easy, JC said, “Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw,
I overcame.).
Back in Rome, JC began to sort out
Antony’s mismanagement of Rome while he
was away; Cato, close Pompey supporter
and long-time JC enemy, committed suicide
instead of being pardoned by JC upon his
return to Rome.
JC, in Rome, celebrated his major military
triumphs as he had greatly expanded the
Roman Empire, but Romans, once pleased
with their republic feared the new dictator
who was more an ambitious, power-hungry
general than a democratic politician.
48
JC with help from Antony
advanced on Pompey’s army and
were victorious despite being
outnumbered 21,000 to 46,000;
JC pardoned all of Pompey’s
Roman supporters including
Brutus (JC was known for his
clemency – a good idea???)
Pompey escaped to Egypt…
49 (only 60 days later…)
JC, with a head for glory and
his Roman pride challenged,
crossed Rubicon River into
Rome against Pompey’s orders
and began a civil war within
Rome; Pompey, knowing JC’s
power, retreated to Greece; JC
advanced to Rome and set up a
senate; declared himself
dictator.
45
Pompey’s sons led revolt in
Spain after their father’s
assassination; JC went to Spain
and defeated them himself; 1 son
was killed in battle, the other
escaped and joined the
Mediterranean pirates.
44 - As play begins, JC is back in
Rome after defeating Pompey and sons;
he is celebrating another victory; some
Romans are upset as they were loyal to
Pompey; JC named Dictator Perpetuus
(dictator for life), and the republic begins
to crumble. Unbeknownst to JC, 44 is the
final yr. of his life! The history presented
here is believed to be based on
Shakespeare’s reading of Plutarch’s
writings (Greek biographer 46-122 AD).