2002 Production with Jeremy Sisto, Richard Harris, Christopher Walken, and Chris Noth

Movie begins in 82 BC with Sulla’s march on Rome Caesar would have been 18 or 19 years old Important Characters:

PompeyBorn in 106 BC, 24 at start of the movie “The Great” – very successful general Driven by desire for military glory Disregard for laws

Cato Great-grandson of Cato the Elder Born in 95 BC (probably would not have been in the Senate

at this point in the movie) Studied stoic philosophy OptimateStrict follower of the rules and laws

Looked after the treasury, prosecuted former quaestors for dishonesty

Prosecuted Sulla’s infomers Marius and Cinna

Enemies of Sulla Marius died in 86 BC Cinna is killed in 83BC while leading his troops to Greece

against Sulla

Born on July 12th, 100 BC Julian Family – legendary decedents of Aeneas

who was the son of VenusAncient family, but not very distinguished in

recent times Nephew of Marius by marriage Married Cornelia, daughter of Cinna, at 18 (83

BC) Same year Sulla marched into ItalyHad Julia in 82 BC (Sulla invades Rome)

Clip 1

Caesar leaves Rome to escape Sulla Heads to Asia Minor Victim of pirates

pays off his ransom and crucifies his captors Returns in 78 BC after Sulla’s death Unlike the movie, Pompey is not in the Senate

at this time Cornelia dies in 69 BC (from childbirth)

almost 10 years after his return Some of Sulla’s laws are slowly lifted

including the ban that prevented Tribunes from holding further office

Clip 2

74 slaves led by Spartacus, a Thracian, escaped their training camp at Capua

Attracted slaves and free workers from across Italy – 70,000 men

Success against Roman armiesSenate puts Crassus in charge of suppressing the revolt

Had won the battle at Colline Gate for Sulla in 82 Very wealthy – could support his troops out of pocket

Won the battle at Lucania, Spartacus was killed 5000 Slaves escaped and fledPompey, who was returning from campaigning in Spain,

caught and slaughtered these last rebels Pompey claimed that he was responsible for ending the war Crassus, who was already jealous of him, was furious

Crassus’ candidacy was natural: he was old enough, had been a praetor, and a successful military leader

Pompey was too young (35), had not been praetor, and was not even a senator

Both men had armies that could persuade election to high offices, but this wasn’t needed and they were both easily elected to consul in 7o BC

Bad terms but cooperated on some measuresRestored all of the tribunes full powers

Grain supplied in Rome were limited as trade routes were unsafe because of pirates

No longer strong powers in the east to keep the pirates in check (such as Egypt)

Pirates had at least 1000 ships An extremely large command was placed in

the hands of Pompey Opposition feared too much authority and

power in the hands of one manPompey’s brilliant commanding tactics

conquered the pirates in three short months

King of Pontus Sulla had campaigned against him (87-85) as well

as others (74-67) In 66, War was handed to Pompey

Drove Mithridates to the far east of Pontus and defeated him

Mithridates did not die hereMutiny within his own troops in 65 led to his death

He also annexed Syria and captured Jerusalem in 63Criticized for taking these other initiatives

Cicero won the consulship in 63 BCThwarted the Cataline Conspiracy who was

disgruntled having lost the election for consulCaesar elected to pontifex maximus (63)

Bribery, sent him into debt Rites of Bona Dea (62) – divorced his wife Pompeia

Caesar elected to praetor (62) Caesar served as governor in Further Spain (61)

Gained back his wealth from corrupt governorship

Caesar ran for the consulship of 59 Opposed by Cato and Bibulous (rival candidate)

Needed financial and political backing On good terms with Crassus and Pompey

Arranged a reconciliation between the two Convinced them to join together to overcome the opposition

and achieve their goals Invited Cicero to join them

he declined on principle Secrete at first and only informal, but powerful influence

in RomeMarriage between Pompey and Julia strengthened this

political allianceCaesar won consulship and then command in Gaul the

following year Clip 3

Marriages primarily for political reasons, though did deeply care for his first wife, Cornelia

Borrowed other wives and lended his own Servilia, mother of Brutus, was very close with

CaesarHad many other relationships with both women

and men "Every woman's husband and every man's wife.” Nimomedes of Bithynia was his most famous male

lover"Whatever Bithynia and her lord possesed / Her lord

who Caesar in his lust caressed"

Clip 4

Chieftain of the Arveni tribe in Gaul Unites the Gauls against the Romans Had some success against the Roman legions Culminated in 52 BC at the Battle of Alesia

Clip 5

With Caesar in Gaul, distrust reemerged between Pompey and Crassus

Caesar called a meeting at Luca to renew the triumvirate in 56Decided that both Pompey and Crassus would be

consul in 55Extend Caesar’s term in Gaul Pompey given commission in Spain and Crassus in

Syria against the powerful Parthian empire (a chance at glory)

In 54 BC, Julia dies in childbirth breaking the bond between Caesar and Pompey

Crassus dies in battle against the Parthians in 53 BC

Political life in Rome remained in turmoil Pompey elected to sole consul in 52 Caesar begins to become anxious about his return

Normal procedure for governor’s return would require him to disband his troops and become a private citizen

Caesar feared that his enemies would use this time to bring charges against him

He wanted to transition from governor to another office without a break as to avoid prosecution

Needed Pompey’s support for this exemption, Pompey was indecisive about how to respond

Caesar had gained prestige and wealth which would rival Pompey Eventually Pompey declined to help

Caesar proposed on numerous occasions that he would give up his command if Pompey would relinquish his in Spain

Pompey refused In early 49, it was declared that Caesar must either give up

his army or become an enemy of the state

Clip 6

Made dictator in 49 which he held for a few days to preside over elections He was elected consul in 48

Dictator again in late 48 for a year Elected consul in 46

Dictator for 10 years Sole consul in 45 Consul again in 44 (5th time)

February 44, made dictator for life Was not a Sulla

Forgave enemies, did not execute anyone, refused to take public funds that came into his hands

Cicero wrote: “But do you see what sort of man hi sis into whose hands the state has fallen, how clever, alert, well prepared? I truly believe that if he takes no lives and touches no man’s property, those who dreaded him most will become his warmest admirers.”

Clip 7

Principle city of the province of Africa After defeating Pompey in Greece, Cato and

Pompey’s sons went there In 46, Caesar came and they surrendered

without a fight Cato felt his cause was lost and committed

suicide

Increased Senate’s size to 900 Casear was responsive to the social problems that

plagued Rome Debt: did not eliminate it, but was responsive and creative,

alleviated the problem some Reformed the calendar

Founded new colonies to settle his veterans Carthage and Corinth

Public building program to reduce unemployment Forum of Julius Casear New senate house Had other building plans that did not get carried out Wanted Rome to by a center for culture and education

Wanted to bring stability and prosperity to the Roman world

The poor loved him Image of his head appeared on Roman coins in

the beginning of 44 Temple created in the Roman Forum Worshiped as a god

Had absolute power and the upper classes hated him for the way he used it and they feared him He believed that the republic was dead and

that only he could regulate state affairs

Clip 8