History Revision Flashcards
When was Julius Caesar born?
In 100 bc or near to that year.
Was Caesar rich and healthy?
He was born to a wealthy family and was a well-educated child who was good at sports.
What was his involvement in the army like?
He joined the Roman Army in 81 BC and was the first Roman army commander to invade England which he did in 55 BC and again in 54 BC.
What happened when he finished serving for the army?
He began an interest in politics and in 65 bc he was put in charge of public entertainment in Rome (adele).
How important was his position (adele)?
It was a very important position as the citizens of Rome expected quality entertainment. It was believed by those who ran Rome that the people could be kept happy and content if they had access to varied and enjoyable entertainment.
What did to make sure he did a good job with his role?
Caesar took to the post with zeal. He borrowed large sums of money to ensure that the entertainment he provided was the best money could buy. He put on games and festivals for the people.
How popular did he become?
He became very popular with the poor of Rome – a considerable part of the city’s population. He also courted the friendship of Rome’s richest man, Crassus.
Did he make any progess being involved with politics after this role?
In 59 BC, Caesar was appointed a consul and in 58 BC he went to Gaul (France) where he served as governor.
Did he succeed being a governor?
He was successful in this position and conquered even more land for the Roman Empire. Caesar was a brilliant general and commanded an army of over 50,000 loyal men. His success at a military level all but guaranteed the loyalty of his soldiers.
Was he popular with everyone, though?
He was seen by some as a cruel man solely driven by expanding his own personal power.
What did this result in?
He made enemies of important politicians in Rome itself. Some senior army generals, such as Pompey, were also very concerned about Caesar’s intentions.
What happened after he became less popular?
In 49 BC the Senate ordered Caesar to hand over his army to their control. He refused. Instead Caesar advanced on Italy but paused at the line that divided France (Gaul) and Italy – the River Rubicon. Roman law said that a governor was not allowed to leave his province. Caesar ignored this law, crossed the Rubicon and advanced to confront his enemies in Rome.
What did the senate think of what Caesar had done?
The Senate considered this to be a treasonable offence but there was little they could do. Caesar had a very powerful and experienced army and his opponents were fragmented. Pompey was killed in Egypt in 48 BC. For the next three years he picked off his enemies one by one whether they were in North Africa, the Middle East or Europe.
Was still in lots of power?
Caesar returned to Rome in 45 BC as a dictator. However, he allowed the Senate to continue working – except that he replaced disloyal senators with his own appointments of loyal men. Caesar should have used his position to make powerless those he had removed from the Senate – but he did not. Caesar did not take away their wealth and these men plotted against him.
What did the politicians then do to him?
In 44 BC, Caesar was murdered by those politicians who feared that he was too obsessed with his own importance. His murder took place at the Senate House in Rome. After his murder, Rome was divided as to whether it was a good thing or not.
