The Rise and Fall of Caesar

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The Rise and Fall of Caesar
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Romes Expansionist Mentality

• Remember Virgils words on Aeneas mission
• You, Roman, remember to rule peoples with your
  power, for that is what you do best
• They believed it was their destiny (logos) and
  duty (pietas) to build an empire!!

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Expansionist Mentality

• Rome was constantly waging wars on neighboring
  areas until they eventually ruled the entire
  Mediterranean region

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The Rise of the General

• Soldiers became paid professionals
• No longer the farmer-solider like Cincinnatus!
• Would be away from home for years relying
  completely on their general for their well-being.
• These generals grew in power as they inspired
  intense allegiance from their men and brought
  back victory and riches to Rome

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Caesar the General

• Perhaps one of the greatest of the Roman generals
  
• His expeditions brought impressive resources to
  Rome through added land, ransacked wealth and new
  slaves
• Caesar was very generous with the money and
  honors he received in his conquests, making him
  hugely popular

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Caesar the Dictator

• After the breakdown of the Triumvirate, Caesar
  becomes the sole ruler
• He is named dictator, then dictator for ten year,
  then dictator for life
• Caesar is at the height of his career when
  Shakespeare opens his play
• Caesar enters Rome with a triumph

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CONFLICT

• Caesar stood for reform!!
• He broadens citizenship, revised taxation,
  reconstructed cities, improved trade, passed
  laws, reformed the calendar, and established the
  first public library
• He ultimately wants to establish a monarchy so
  his reforms last (ambition!!)
• A monarchy is a threat to the Senate and the
  Romans who hate and fear kings more than anything
• power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts
  absolutely

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Main Ideas and Themes

• Who is the tragic hero?
• What does it mean to be noble?
• The power and mentality of the mob
• The power of speech
• Duty to self vs. the duty to country
• Gravitas
• Pietas