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Who was Julius Caesar? What kind of a person was he? Why is he so often studied? Why do some people admire him immensely? Why do other people loathe him? There are reasons for both viewpoints. Look to these SOURCES for information and background on JULIUS CAESAR the man, the politician, the military general, the dictator, the tyrant.
Essential Question:
Should Julius Caesar be understood as a GREEDY TYRANT, or in contrast as a DEFENDER of EQUALITY and DEMOCRACY? How and why?
ASSIGNMENT 1 on JULIUS CAESAR
A Basic Background on Julius Caesar
(Use this assignment to get a basic introduction to Julius Caesar)
Objectives:
Content Objective:
We will learn about the historical figure Julius Caesar and why he has been remembered & debated for over 2000 years as both a hero of the people and a tyrant.
Language Objective:
I will discuss the reasons Caesar is viewed a hero of the people; then I will discuss the reasons Caesar is viewed as a tyrant.
What were Caesar's political actions & party affiliation(s)? Why did the senate dislike Caesar? Was it simply true that he was a tyrant/dictator who wanted to overthrow the senate? View and find out more.
Caesar's Reforms
Caesar's Reforms
Julius Caesar was one of THE NINE WORTHIES Of the Ancient World
(Link to a text relating the worthies to our contemporary "Modern Era.")
The Most Chivalric Men in History?
Julius Caesar: One of the NINE WORTHIES (An Actual Text of a book on the 9 Worthies published in 1600s, another was available in Shakespeare's day).
According to medieval views dating back as far as the 1300s (by authors such as Jacques de Longuyon), Julius Caesar was counted as one of the "Nine Worthies" of the ancient world, exemplary figures who represented ideals of the code of chivalry. These people were considered by scholars - and many others - as people who contained great VIRTUE and were deserving of admiration and mimicry. Texts and discussion about these people were written and available to Shakespeare, and he clearly was aware of the 9 Worthies as he writes about the term specifically in plays like Love's Labour's Lost and Henry IV. Additionally, Cervantes wrote about them in Don Quixote as well. See what one author wrote about Julius Caesar as one of the Nine Worthies.
As far back as the 14th Century, writers began writing also of the 9 Worthy Women.
Plutarch's Parallel Lives
The ancient historian, Plutarch, wrote of many historical figures, especially the Romans in his text, The Parallel Lives. Julius Caesar is portrayed, often with criticism or disdain, but at times fairly and wit some respect and even admiration while some of his [alleged] faults and/or mistakes are also spoken of. In fact, this text is most likely Shakespeare's main source for his play on Julius Caesar. HOWEVER, always remember: people have their biases, and Plutarch was a Roman Patrician. Therefore, he would largely have opposed Julius Caesar's political actions and affiliation [specifically with the Plebeians].
AUDIO of Plutarch's Parallel Lives (Julius Caesar)
Text of the section on Caesar
Questions:
1) Why was Sulla so opposed to Julius Caesar? What were Marius' policies that Sulla strongly opposed? What were Marius' political causes & accomplishments? What were Sulla's political causes, views, & accomplishments? To better answer, you may want to read or listen to the chapters on Sulla and Marius in Parenti's The Assassination of Julius Caesar (chapters 3 & 4).
2) What was Plutarch's political affiliation (or what class was he in?)? How might this color, or shape, his view of Julius Caesar? Contrast Plutarch's views and criticism with Parenti's depiction of Caesar in chapter 6.
3) What did Plutarch say about Julius Caesar's & Brutus' relationship? Were they related in some way?
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