Caesar's Youth + Triumvirate Flashcards
When was Caesar born?
100BCE
What was Caesar’s family background?
Senatorial background but poor (lived in the Subura). His aunt marries Marius.
During the first Civil War, on which side was Caesar?
Marius’ side
Which side won the Civil War?
Sulla
Describe the key features of Caesar’s abduction by pirates.
Caesar gets captured, the pirates demand 20 talents for his ransom, he says it should be 50 talents. He is relaxed in their presence for a few weeks. Then ransom paid. Then he hires a squadron of ships and some troops, and captures the pirates. After the governor of Asia (to whom he went in person) fails to punish the pirates, Caesar has their throats cut before crucifying them.
With whom did Caesar form a triumvirate in 60/59 BC?
Crassus and Pompey the Great
What did each triumvir bring to the alliance?
Crassus: money; Pompey: military reputation and troops; Caesar: he facilitates the alliance (Crassus and Pompey disliked each other).
How did the triumvirs consolidate their alliance?
Pompey marries Caesar’s daughter, Julia (n.b. Pompey was almost six years older than Caesar)
How did Caesar act during his consulship? (give specific details)
He doesn’t heed Bibulus’ consular (religious) prerogatives, i.e. his right to prevent political meetings taking place on a certain day. He tries to pass progressive reforms but meets opposition from the Optimates (Pompey, Bibulus and co.)
What was the name of the other consul with Caesar, and which senatorial faction did he belong to?
Bibulus; he was one of the Optimates (an elitist-conservative political faction in the late Roman Republic)
Who were the most famous and influential members of the faction of which Bibulus was a part?
Cato the Younger, Pompey the Great, Cicero
