Historical Background of Julius Caesar

• 503 BC Rome ends the rule of the Tarquins, a series of harsh, cruel rulers.
• Rome decides to never again be under the rule of such an oppressive government. They refuse all forms of government that consist of kings or emperors (rulers who achieve their power based on inheritance not election).
• Rome sets up a Republic – a government in which officials are elected.
• The new government was made of two parts: two Consuls (leaders) and a Senate. The Consuls were elected officials. They appointed the Senate members. The governing bodies could be made of people from any walk of life, noble or common.
• Julius Caesar got into politics during a time in which the Consuls and the Senate were having problems. In this time of instability he became an outspoken leader.
• In 60 BC the first triumvirate (three-person governing body) was formed of Caesar, a famous general named Pompey, and a wealthy man named Crassus.
• Crassus died, and Pompey began to fear that Julius Caesar was growing too powerful and popular.
• Caesar and his army were far away from Rome, conquering many lands for the Roman Empire. Pompey ordered him back so that he would not have to fear Caesar and his powerful army. Instead, Caesar attacked Pompey, defeating his forces and killing him in the midst.
• Caesar returned to Rome, was accepted by the people for his military abilities, was loved for all the goods he brought back from his conquests, and was elected Dictator for Life. (This meant that he would rule Rome until his death, and the next leader would have to be elected.)
• Many believed that Caesar wanted to be Emperor instead of just Dictator for Life. If Emperor, Julius Caesar’s son would inherit the throne, instead of being elected.
• Many feared that Caesar would bring back a style of life similar to when the Tarquin’s ruled. To prevent this, some members of the legislature carried out a deceitful plan...

_{Ms. Fye, 1996}