The murder of Julius Caesar

When was Caesar murdered?

44BC

Who led the assassination?

Brutus and Cassius

Why was the senate divided?

Some condemned the conspirators, majority praised them or took middle ground because they wanted peace

Why didn’t Octavian go straight to Rome after Caesar’s death?

He spent time visiting friends, important senators and Caesar’s veterans to gather their support

How did Octavian steal sympathies from Caesar’s troops from Antony?

He used the soldiers resentment of Antony’s amnesty for the conspirators as leverage

What caused Antony and Octavian to make truce initially?

The intervention of Caesar’s old officers

How did Antony break his truce between himself and Octavian?

Accused Octavian of attempting to assassinate him

How did Octavian react to Antony’s accusation?

He raised an army, occupied Rome, and left before Antony arrived

What did Cicero convince the Senate of in his 5th Philippic?

That Antony was aiming for military dictatorship and that Octavian should be enrolled as an ally

How did Cicero act towards Antony vs Octavian at the time?

He hated Antony and spread the idea he was doing illegal things but said nothing about Octavian raising an army illegally and occupying Rome

What lead to civil war being inevitable?

The senate annulling Antony’s legislation, leading to Antony remaining in Cisalpine Gaul