Julius Caesar
POTENTIAL ID'S:
CAESAR, GALLIC WARS, CIVIL WARS,
PHARSALUS, CLEOPATRA, NICOMEDES OF
BITHYNIA, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, PLUTARCH
The noblest man who ever lived in the
tide of times. --Antony
Why, man, he doth bestride the
narrow
world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep
about
To find ourselves dishonorable
graves.
Men at some time are masters of
their
fates.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in
our
stars,
But in ourselves, that we are
underlings. --Cassius (Julius Caesar I.ii.140-147)
Gaius Julius Caesar was certainly
capable and talented, but the
Optimates had good reason for viewing him as a threat to republican
government. But ultimately, perhaps, the Optimates themselves were
every bit as much to blame for the end of the Republic. --Art
I.
Intro: breakdown of triumvirate
II. Pompey again the champion (52 BC)
III. Caesar’s advantages as challenger
A. Speaker/lawyer
B. Writer (Gallic War/Civil War)
C. General
D. Real supporters in Senate
E. Indifference of many senators
F. Lots of troops at his disposal
G. Anything but risk averse
H. Knew how to make himself popular
I. Friends in Rome
IV. Potential problems
V. Crossing the Rubicon
VI. Victories at Pharsalus, Zela, Thapsus, Munda
VII. Achievements--solution to problems
A. Proletariat
B. Economic problems
C. Political problems
D. Misc. reforms
VIII. How does one evaluate Caesar?
IX. Conspiracy against Caesar and the reasons
for it
X. And the winner is????