Caesar as popularis and dictator Flashcards
when did Caesar become a dictator
48BC
How did Caesar’s dictatorship differ from that of Sullas
- he pursued a policy of clemency towards those who fought against him in the CW
When did Caesar change to Dictator Perpetuo
Feb 44BC
The nature of his dictatorship changed from being an acceptable emergency office to a title of autocracy
Changes as dictator from 48-44
1) refilled dwindling numbers of the senate to 900
2) Increased number of magistrates annually available for election to the CH
3) Introduced a wide-scale building policy
4) Improved provinces
Caesar’s building policy
- implemented flood protection from the river Tiber
- road improvements
- draining of the local marshes
- improvements of the harbour at Ostia for trade and economic growth
- a new basilica in the forum
- a whole new magnificent forum: the ilium
Benefits of Caesar’s building policy
- bought employment to many
- improved the city and created a visually grand capital city
Caesar’s changes to provinces
- established colonies in the provinces for those in need of homes, establishing homes for 80,000 romans
- offering both settlements for this in need and bring Roman stable presence to the provinces
- estbalishing peace and improving trade and business,
Benefits for Caesar
- populares move, gains support of people, new homes and employment
- economic growth
- self advancements, power and prestige
- establishes peace
Counter argument for Caesar’s changes
- the new senators were his own supporters, and popular assemblies were dominated by his wide patronage and popularity among the urban masses, equites and military
- his building programs could not help but act as a powerful statement of his own power + impact
Power Caesar held between this time
- he had been pontifex maximus since 63
- augur from 47
- consul every year except 47 and sole consul in 45
He held the key state religious and political offices
Caesar’s role in the first triumvirate
- main driving force in the alliance, pompey and Crassus had not always been on friendly terms
why did the first triumvirate form
- to counteract the hostility of optimates in the senate
- caesar was perceived as an unappologetic populist, champonionig popular reforms whilst holding important offices of state
Why was caesar friends with the other doods
- caesar was indebted to crassus for funding his election campaigns as well as financing spending spectacles at Rome for the pols entertainment
- Caesar had publicly supported Pompey in many of his interests, e.g. in bills of 67 and 66, in 59 he married his daughter Julia to Pompey
What did the first triumvirate have (benefits)
- wealth of crassus and support from the equites
- military prestige and support from Pompey and his veterans
- political and military prowess of Caesar and his huge popularity with the urban masses
when did caesar become consul
59
who was caesar’s consulship with
Bibulus
son in law of cato
Caesar and land laws whilst he was consul
- his most pressing concern was to placate Pompey’s veteran soldiers
- he brought the case for land allocation before the senate for debate
- led by Cato, the optimised rejected it outright
- Caesar took it to the assembly of the people for ratification and it was passed