THETUMULTUOUSLIFEOFJULIUSCAESAR(100BCE-44BCE)*Remember:BCEyearsdecreaseastheyapproach0.

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).