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Pompey vs. Caesar

Pompey vs. Caesar. Pompey “The Great” (104-48 BCE). Came from aristocratic ITALIAN (not Roman) family Supported Sulla and the optimates Excellent soldier Earned the name “Kid Butcher” Defeated Spartacus “Elected” consul in 70 BCE (20 years too early)

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Pompey vs. Caesar

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  1. Pompey vs. Caesar

  2. Pompey “The Great”(104-48 BCE) • Came from aristocratic ITALIAN (not Roman) family • Supported Sulla and the optimates • Excellent soldier • Earned the name “Kid Butcher” • Defeated Spartacus • “Elected” consul in 70 BCE (20 years too early) • Overturned Sulla’s reforms and moved into the populares camp

  3. Pompey “The Great”(104-48 BCE) • From 67-63 BCE, granted special imperium by Senate to fight in the East • Commands were unconstitutional and illegal • Returned to Rome, an untouchable conquering hero • Beloved by the people • HATED by the Senate • For all his popularity, Pompey had no political power • Formed the “1st Triumvirate” with friends and political allies Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus • Pompey married Caesar’s daughter and everybody gets what they want

  4. Julius Caesar102-44 BC • Born to patrician family • Claimed descent from Venus • Related to Marius and Sulla • Childhood genius • Known for his unusual intelligence and oratory skills, military abilities, and infectious personality • His “other” side • The heart throb of Rome • Known for his sexual exploits (often with married women) • Very successful but normal climb of the cursushonorum

  5. Julius Caesar(102-44 BCE) • Successful governor of Spain • Elected PontifexMaximus(chief priest of Rome • Popularespolitician • People ADORED him • The Senate HATED him • 60 BCE – Forms “1st Triumvirate” with Pompey and Marcus Crassus • Needed their help to be elected consul • Elected consul in 59 BCE

  6. Things Fall Apart When….. • Caesar became Governor of Gaul • Gallic Wars (conquered modern-day France) • Julia died • Pompey remarried daughter of leading optimates politician • Pompey began to get jealous of Caesar’s fame • Caesar asked Pompey to help him get elected consul • Pompey refused • Senate (with Pompey’s support) exiled Caesar for unlawful acts • Caesar marched on Rome in 49 BCE

  7. Civil War 49-45 BCE • Caesar vs. Pompey, but also populares vs. optimates • The Senate was with Pompey • Plebeian Assembly, businessmen, and most of the Army were with Caesar • Caesar defeated Pompey at the Battle of Pharsales in 48 BCE • Pompey fled to Egypt • Egyptian ruler (Cleopatra’s bro) murdered Pompey and pickled his head in a jar in order to win favor with Caesar • Caesar was not pleased • Caesar defeated other optimates leaders in Spain, Syria, and North Africa

  8. Dictator Caesar • Rome was such a mess that no elections could be held • Caesar appointed Dictator by what remained of the Senate • Refused crown twice • Caesar’s reforms • Made the Senate less exclusive • Major public works projects • Reduced urban overcrowding by creating Roman colonies in the provinces • Extended Roman citizenship to provincial elites and intellectuals • Julian calendar • He also found time to conquer Egypt and father a child with Cleopatra • Intended to march on the Parthian Empire in the east as well

  9. The Ides of March 44 BCE • Caesar assassinated in the Senate House • 60-80 senators were responsible (including Caesar’s “good” friend Brutus) • Called themselves the “Liberators” • They were afraid that Caesar wanted to be king • Wore purple • Put his face on coins • Named a month after himself • Wanted to return the Republic to the good old days • Had no plan to actually re-institute it • Did not realize how popular Caesar and his reforms were with the people • Liberators only held power for a short while • Caesar’s nephews Gaius Octavius and Marcus Antonius opposed them and swore revenge

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