Julius Caesar Flashcards
List Caesars first political connection and what it cause him
Caesar married Cinna’s daughter, a known supporter of Marius, allowing him Flamen Dials
What happened to Caesar when Sulla was present?
Sulla orders Caesar to leave, Caesar moves to Spain and returns in 78 BC, following Sulla’s death
What did Caesar do upon his return?
Lived in Subra, used equestrian education to advocate for poor through being a lawyer.
List the dates and titles Caesar obtained to gain power
72 BC- Caesar becomes Tribune
69 BC- Caesar becomes Praetor
65 BC- Elected Curule Aedile
63 BC- Elected Pontifex Maximus
Reasons for the first truimvirate for Pompey:
Pompey returned from extroadinary command and needed: 1. Land for his veteran soldiers and his eastern treaties ratified.
-Metallus and Cato disagreed with Pompey in Senate
Reasons for the first trimvirate for Crassus:
Mithradatic war made equestrian tax collectors unable to collect amount, optimates refused his rebate
Reasons for the first trimvirate for Caesar:
Wanted consulship in 59 BC
How was the first triumvirate secured?
Pompey married Julius’ daughter
Who was Caesars oppopsition and how was he dealth with
Cato’s son-in-law Biblius was elected and vetoed everything Caesar tried, Caesar used Pompeys veterans as pressure and ignored Biblius vetoes until he retired
What legislatiojn did Caesar pass?
Less Campania - divided italy up into 20,000 settlements for soldiers
Caesar was granted the province of Gaul and five years imperium with 3 legions post consul
Name some initial problems faced by the triumvirate
After Caesar left for Gaul, tensions between Crassus and Pompeii gre. Clodious carried out a campaign against Pompey backed by Crassus . Pompey then called in rival gang Milo, gang attacks continued until Pompey voted for the recall of Cicero.
What did Pompeys special grain command mean for the first triumvirate
He gained control of all land and seas through grain supply control and thus he questioned if the Triumvirate served him a purpose.
When was the conference of Luca?
56 BC
What did the conference of Luca determine?
Pompey and Crassus were to stand for their own joint consulship:
- Extending Caesars command
- Crassus was to disasociate himself with Clodius
How did Caesar benefit from the consulship?
His proconsular command was extended for another 5 years, meaning it ended in 50 BC
List the events that lead to the end of the first triumvirate
- Pompey was in a stronger position then the rest, attacks continued for both other members all throughout 54 BC
- Pompeys wife died in 54 BC
- Growing anarchy delayed elections
- 53 BC there was rumours of a dictatorship and Pompey could take advantage
- Crassus died in 53 BC after being defeated by Parthians
- Caesar offered Pompey other family members however they were declined
What was happening in 49 BC?:
The senate was trying to recall Caesar, however his imperium was allowing him exemption from all he did wrong as Consul
Who was vetoeing Pompey and the Optimates?
Mark Antony and Cassius Dio
Why did the 2 senators flee to Caesar?
The senate declared a Senatus Consultum Ultimum (SCU) ignoring tribunes and granting emergency power.
What was Caesars response to the SCU (include quote)
Caesar crossed the Rubicon initiating a civil war
-Plutarch: “let the die be cast”
What were Caesars motives/excuses?
- Protecting a tribunes rights
- Financial difficulties
- To defend his honour
What final 2 events occur in Rome post Caesar’s crossing of the rubicon?
- Pompey evacuates to Greece with the Senate
- Caesar reaches rome and breaks into the Senate
How does the battle between Caesar and Pompey end?
Pompey defeated by Caesar in Pharsalus 48 BC, flees to Egypt however is followed by Caesar. Pompey killed in 48 BC however Caesar assits Cleopatra in defeating her brother.
What year did a Caesorian become born?
47 BC
List the four dictatorships held by Caesar
49 BC- 11 days
48 BC- 1 Year
46 BC- 10 Years
44 BC - Life
List the four consulships held in Caesar’s autocracy
48 BC
46 BC
45 BC
44 BC
What other sources of power did Caesar have?
46 BC- became prefect of public morals, holding public morals
45 BC- granted tribunician sacrosanctity
What honours did Caesar have in his Autocracy?
45 BC - hailed as pater patriae
44 BC - Head minted on coinc
“never before had any roman citizen…normally reserved for roman gods” - Cowell
What evidence is there that Caesar wanted kingship?
- Statues set near kings of Rome
- Allowed to wear laurel crown
- Wore triumphal purple
- Sat on a gilded chair
How did Caesar die?
60 leading Romans planned to stab Caesar on the Ides of March, 15th. In 44 BC, March 15th Caesar was stabbed to death by 23 senators including Cassius and Brutus.
