Caesar as Popularis and Dictator

What was Caesar's background?

Came from a wealthy patrician background, and became a prosecuting advocate against Sulla's reforms. He fought for populism and a centralised leadership that would implement reforms that the Senate didn't.

What does Caesar's client Nepos try to pass in 62BC?

Nepos attempts to pass a bill giving Pompey command against Cataline's forces.

How does Cato interfer with Nepos' bill?

Cato vetos it, and sits between Nepos and Caesar so that they can't confer. Cato rips up the bill but Nepos recites it from memory. Another tribune silences Nepos.

What happens as a result of the suppression of Nepos' bill?

Caesar and Nepos incite mob violence. The Senate issue an SCU. Nepos flees in fear to Pompey, but Caesar calms the mob and is forgiven.

What were Pompey's achievements in the East?

Defeated Mithradates and avenged Rome.

Extracted 480,000,000 sesterces.

Established new client kingdoms.

Raised tax by 70%.

What does Pompey do on his return to Rome?

He dismisses his armies and demands the hand of Cato's niece but is rejected.

What does Pompey need the Senate to do?

Ratify his Eastern settlements.

Grant land to his soldiers.

Give him an SCU.

The Senate refuse all three.

Why did the Senate refuse Pompey's requests?

Pompey had no real power after dismissing his army, and refusing his requests would give them power over him as they feared a Populares Sulla.

How had Rome changed since 66BC?

Optimates were far more powerful.

Open rise of Caesar and Crassus.

Cicero wants amicitia instead of being a client.

What position was Caesar elected to in 63BC?

Pontifex Maximus - Chief Priest

How is the First Triumvirate formed in 60BC?

Caesar, Crassus and Pompey have all faced conflict with the Optimates that leaves them appealing to a Populares alliance.

Why had Crassus had conflict with the Optimates?

Crassus was a patron of many tax farming equites in the East. During the Mithradatic wars, they were unable to make money and appealing to him. The Senate refused to revise the contracts.

What did Caesar bring to the Triumvirate?

Caesar had great political talents and was extremely popular with the people.

What did Pompey bring to the Triumvirate?

He was revered as a military general and had clients across the Empire. He was seen as the 'First Man' in Rome.

What did Crassus bring to the Triumvirate?

Known as the wealthiest man in Rome, and provided unparalled military support.

How would the Triumvirate work?

They would back eachother in the Senate, and would not propose something that the others disagreed with.

What does Tempest say about the First Triumvirate?

It was 'nothing short of a catastrophe'

What does Bispham say about the First Triumvirate?

'Not a takeover, not a coup...whatever they want effectively happens'

What was Caesar's goal in 60BC?

After returning to Italy after campaigning in Spain (and being awarded a triumph) Caesar wanted to run for consulship 'in absentia'.

Why did Optimates lobby against Caesar running 'in absentia'?

The Optimates saw him as a radical and pushed the date of the triumph until after the election of Caesar could not enter Rome. Cato's son-in-law Bibulus was also running for consul.

How did Caesar react to the Optimates attempting to block his running for consul?

Caesar shockingly renounced his command and triumph, and marched into the Forum, declaring candidacy.

How did the Optimates further sabotage Caesar?

When he appeared as a front-runner, the Senate assigned the consul governorships to 'Keeper of the Woods and Paths' meaning Caesar would be in extreme debt and they could prosecute him.

What happens in 59BC?

Bibulus and Caesar (massive bribery from Crassus and Pompey) become consuls on the 1st of Jan.

What are Caesar's goals as consul?

Lex Campania

Ratification of Pompey's land

Securing a military governorship

Debt relief for tax collectors

What is Caesar's first bill?

Lex Agraria - proposes selling unfarmed land with the price set by censors. There would be 20 commissioners not including Caesar.

What was the response to the Lex Agraria in the Senate?

Caesar gains line-by-line approval but Cato filibusters to not let the bill pass.

How does Caesar pass the Lex Agaria?

He takes it straight to the People's Assembly, but Cato and Bibulus appear with tribunes. Violence erupts but Bibulus has a bucket of excrement thrown on him, his lictors attacked and his fasces broken.

How does the Lex Agraria change Senate business?

Caesar arranges for debates in the Senate to be transcribed and posted outside the Forum to appeal to the people.

What was the Lex Campania?

Caesar's second land reform bill that does not touch the Senators' land.

What was the Lex Julia De Repetundais?

Strengthened laws arounds extortion and required detailed accounting of provincial financing and limited gifts from locals. Governors had to write written reports regarding expenses.

What happens to Bibulus?

He retires to his villa to watch the sky for omens. In theory, no legislation could be passed during this. As Pontifex Maximus, Caesar overrules this.

How does Caesar appease Pompey?

Through Tribune Vatinius, he ratifies Pompey's Eastern settlements (does not go through the Senate) and Pompey is able to give out land to his veterans through the Lex Campania.

How does Pompey appease Crassus?

Caesar negoiates a reduction of 1/3 the initial bid for the tax farmers. This aids Crassus as a patron. Cicero reluctantly accepts it for 'the concordia'.

How does Caesar secure a governorship?

Tribune Vatinius proposes that Caesar be offered Cisalpine Gaul for 5 years with 3 legions. In the end, Caesar is given 3 provinces of Cisalpine Gaul, Transalpine Gaul and Illyricum.

How does Caesar secure his succession?

He lines up his father-in-law Piso for consul.

Pompey lines up Gabinius for the second slot of consul.

How does Caesar aid Clodius in becoming tribune?

Clodius wants to become a tribune to pass legislation. However, as a patrician, he must be adopted into a Plebeian family. On Caesar's authority, this is allowed.

What were the key characteristics of Caesar's governorship in Gaul?

There were 30 pitched battles, where 1m were captured and 1.2m were killed. 800 towns were captured but tribes retained considerable independence.

What did Caesar gain from his governorship in Gaul?

Won huge wealth,fame and glory with a huge client bases. This undermined Republic conventions and Pompey's glory.

What were some key achievements during the Gallic Wars between 58-55BC?

The spanning of the Rhine through bridge was a feat of Roman technology.

How did Caesar expand his governorship after 55BC?

Crassus and Pompey fought in the Senate to extend his command, using the excuse of Britian. Caesar continues fighting in Gaul.

How did the Optimates try to proseute Caesar?

They went back to the legislation that allowed his second governorship and argued it would expire in March 50BC - allowing a window of prosecution.

What does Caesar want by 50BC?

He aims to be consul in 49BC to protect himself from prosecution.

How does Caesar apply for consulship in 50BC?

Used tribunes to introduce a law permitting an 'in absentia' application. The Senate is outraged and attempts to force him to give up governorship.

What happened on Dec. 1st 50BC?

Tribune Curio called for a vote on a proposal that both Caesar and Pompey should lay down command and legions simultaneously. The Senate passed the proposal with 370 votes for.

What happened on Jan 1st 49BC?

Two tribunes allied to Caesar (Anthony and Cassius) tried to revive Curio's proposal, but the Catonians countered with a proposal - Caesar to be declared a public enemy.

What made Caesar realise war was impending?

The Senate passed the 'Final Decree' which gave Pompey power to do anything possible to safeguard the Republic.

What started the Civil War on Jan 11th 49BC?

'Alea iacta est' - The die is cast

Caesar crossed the Rubicon into Italy.

Why does Goldsworthy say Caesar 'chose to fight'?

'He was concerned all alternatives were worse. The Republic had become dominated by a faction who ignored the normal rule of law'

What happens in Brundisium and Hispania in 49BC?

Pompey withdraws to Brundisium and Caesar almost catches him.

Pompey and the Senate flee to Greece.

Caesar conquers Northern Spain in 27 days.

Caesar is 'elected' dictator and consul.

What happens in Dyrrhachium and Pharius 48BC?

Pompey pauses and does not take advantage of Caesar being defeated in Dyrr.

Caesar wins at Pharsalus and Pompey flees to Egypt.

What happens to Pompey in Egypt 48BC?

Pompey is beheaded and presented to Caesar by Ptomely III advisors.

What happens to Pharnaces 48BC?

Caesar defetas Pompey's client King Pharnances of Pontus in 5 days - Veni,vidi,vici

What happens at the 2nd Hispania in 45BC?

Caesar defeats Pompey's sons at Munda and the war is over. Caesar is victorious.

What was Caesar's policy of clementia?

Soldiers of Pompey's were offered the chance to join Caesar's legions which grew Caesar's forces massively.

What titles had Caesar accquired during the Civil War?

48BC - Tribunician Powers (could veto)

46BC - Prefect of morals (could remove Tribunes and Senators)

Gave himself title of 'parens patriae' and the right to speak first in the Senate

What were Caesar's political reforms?

Increases Senators from 600 to 900, which included Gauls and Caesar's supporters.

More magistrates (widening political participation)

Limits governorship to one year

What were Caesar's populares reforms?

Established 20 new colonies where he settled poor Romans and veterans.

Grain dole recipients cut by around half.

Debt relief to the poor and no rent for a year.

How did the Senate prove loyalty to Caesar?

Had to swear an oath to protect Caesar against any threat.

How did Caesar disrespect the Senate?

Ignored the Senate and did not stand up for them when they came to give him a special offering.

Why were there growing fears of Caesar being a king?

A diadem appeared on Caesar's statue.

Had a golden chair he sat on in the Senate.

Stripped two tribunes of power and banished them from Rome.

Head was on coins.

How could it be argued that Caesar did not want kingship?

'I am not King but Caesar'

Refused a diadem that Mark Anthony offered him at the festival of Lupercalia.

What does Scullard say about Caesar during dictatorship?

'By overshadowing both magistrate and Senate, Caesar was becoming dangerously powerful'

What does Beard and Crawford say about Caesar during dictatorship?

'He was like a King, and that was why he was murdered'

What does Tempest say about Caesar during dictatorship?

'He worked with great energy and achieved some notable results'

What does Shotter say about Caesar?

'Caesar was intolerant...of opposition'

What does Syme say about Caesar?

'Caesar was not a revolutionary'

What does Scullard say about Caesar's ideology?

'He became a populares but no democrat'

What does Shotter say about Caesar and government?

Unlike most Roman politicians, he was 'one who actually thought about the needs of government'