The Audiences' Perception of Cassius and Brutus in Shakespeare

Under his own initiative and expense... ... middle of paper ... ...nd, in a historic act of rebellion, crossed the Rubicon river into Rome, officially waging war against the City’s leaders. Caesar successfully defeated Pompey’s rule and, after spending a few years in Egypt and Asia, assumed the role of dictator of Rome. During his reign, Caesar enacted many new statutes, most notably citizenship reform, governmental expansion, and reorganization of the calendar. As Caesar appointed to himself even more dictatorial powers, both his enemies and allies became increasingly disenchanted. A conspiracy formed composed of Senators who planned Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March 44 BC.

What happened after he was killed? Caesar was a major part of the Roman Empire because of his strength and his strong war strategies. Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman whose dictatorship was pivotal in Rome’s transition from republic to empire. When he was young Caesar lived through one of the most horrifying decades in the history of the city of Rome. The city was assaulted twice and captured by Roman armies, first in 87 BC by the leaders of the populares, his uncle Marius and Cinna.

Julius Ceaser was the Roman general and statesman, who laid the foundations of the Roman imperial system. Born in Rome on July 12 or 13, 100 BC, Caesar belonged to the prestigious Julian clan; yet from early childhood he knew controversy. His uncle by marriage was Gaius Marius, leader of the populares. This party supported agrarian reform and was opposed by the reactionary optimates, a senatorial faction. Marius was seven times consul , and the last year he held office, just before his death in 86 BC, he exacted a terrifying toll on the optimates.

After his return he was anxious that his acts in Asia should be ratified by the Senate and certain lands be apportioned among his veterans. The Senate, had decided to declined to the accede to his wishes. Pompey had turned against the aristocratic party, now formed a close alliance with Julius Caesar, and the two men, together with Crassus, formed in 60 bc the coalition commonly called the First Triumvirate. Caesar's daughter Julia was given in marriage to Pompey, and in the following year Caesar had went repair Gaul, and stood there for nine years carried on a career of conquest while Pompey had spent his time at Rome with Julia.

Julius Caesars Impact on Rome From 100 BC to 44 BC, Julius Caesar changed Rome through his rise to political power, conquest, feuds and assassination. Over time Caesar gained acclaim through his multiple political roles in Rome such as Pontifex, governor and Praetor, leading him to become dictator. He formed an alliance with Crassus and Pompey that ruled Rome for seven years, but led to a civil war later on. Julius Caesar conquered many countries that helped him change the map such as the conquest of Gaul. Caesar played a vital role in the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire, which cause him to be assassinated and make rise to Octavian as the next ruler.

(White 22) Caesar was elected consul in fifty nine BC despite optimate bitterness, and that year after he was appointed governor of the Roman Gaul. (Balsdon 95) At this particular time the Celtic Gaul, which was to the north of Rome, was still independent. The Aedui, a tribe of Roman allies, appealed to Caesar for help against another Ballic people, the Helvetii, during this first year of his governship. Caesar marched into the Celtic Gaul with six troops, defeated the Helvetii, and forced them to return to their home area. Next he crushed Germanic forces under Ariovistus.

The consulate was a governmental position where two consuls, nominated each year, held the power of the state. Caesar was hoping that he and Crassus would become the powerful consuls of the Roman Empire. However, the Senate tried to stop his efforts by pitting Crassus, Pompeius and Caesar against each other. Caesar noticed this and did something believed impossible. Julius created an alliance among himself, Crassus, and Pompeius (Encarta 2000).

After crushing many rebellions, Caesar forced the senate to make him a dictator. Caesar launched many reforms such as public work programs and giving land to the poor. According to legend those in the senate murdered Caesar on March 15. Caesar's Grandnephew, Octavian, and Marc Anthony joined forces to capture his killers. However bitter feuds grew it soon became a battle for power.

After Caesar named Augustus his heir to the throne, he was denied everything except Caesars name. However, Augustus accepts Caesars name and then sets out to destroy all those who were enemies to his adopted farther. Augustus took out huge loans from the bank, giving the money to the citizens of Rome, making them favour him. He then turned his attention to his fathers enemies. Did this by skilfully attacking the senate for killing Caesar, and blaming Antony for not doing enough.

He oozed of charisma and through the victories of his military expeditions he quickly rosed in political rankings, Caesar organized what was the first triumvirate. This was an alliance was made with Crassus, Magnus, and Caesar. Through this partnership the Roman provinces were divided up between each other. However the triumvirate started to crumble with death of Caesar’s daughter who was to be married to Pompey. The triumvirate officially ended when Crassus was killed in war.