Young Caesar
Into what social class was Julius Caesar born?
The patrician class.
What Roman political career ladder did Caesar follow?
The cursus honorum.
What military honour did Caesar earn while serving in Asia Minor?
The corona civica.
Who were the three members of the First Triumvirate?
Caesar, Pompey and Crassus.
Which of Caesar’s daughters married Pompey?
Julia
Which woman connected Caesar directly to the Marian political faction through marriage?
Cornelia, daughter of Cinna.
Why are Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic War valuable to historians studying his military career?
They are a firsthand account that provide a detailed, chronological record of Caesar’s campaigns and military movements in Gaul.
Which important Roman politician was Caesar connected to through the marriage of his aunt Julia?
Gaius Marius.
What religious office did Caesar win in 63 BC?
Pontifex Maximus.
What public action helped Caesar gain support from former Marian supporters and the lower classes?
He restored Marius’ trophies and funerary honours, which Sulla had removed.
What did Crassus mainly contribute to Caesar’s political advancement?
Financial support.
Which Egyptian queen formed both a personal and political relationship with Caesar?
Cleopatra VII.
What political benefit did Caesar gain from his relationship with Cleopatra VII?
It strengthened Roman influence in Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean while Caesar supported Cleopatra’s claim to the throne.
What is the value of Cicero’s letters for historians studying Julius Caesar?
Cicero was a contemporary who personally knew Caesar and other major political figures, so his letters provide evidence about how Caesar was viewed during his own lifetime.
From which goddess did the Julian family claim descent?
Venus
What was Caesar’s first major political office, which gave him entry into the Senate?
Quaestor
What major political sacrifice did Caesar make in 60 BC so that he could pursue the consulship?
He gave up the opportunity for a triumph in order to stand for consul.
What did Pompey bring to the alliance that Caesar initially lacked?
Military prestige and the loyalty of his veterans.
Which loyal supporter served with Caesar in Gaul and later became his Master of the Horse?
Mark Antony
What politically controversial action did Mark Antony perform at the Lupercalia festival in 44 BC?
He offered Caesar a diadem (crown), a symbol associated with kingship. Caesar refused it.
What is one value of Suetonius’ Julius Caesar for historians?
Suetonius preserves many anecdotes and different versions of events, including evidence both for and against Caesar.
What was the name of Caesar’s mother?
Aurelia Cotta.
Why did Caesar spend enormous amounts of borrowed money while serving as aedile?
To stage lavish games and entertainment, increasing his popularity, visibility and political support.
What restriction attached to the position of Flamen Dialis could have prevented Caesar from developing a military career?
He could not hold military commands.
What political office did the Triumvirate help Caesar secure in 59 BC?
The consulship.
Which former Pompeian did Caesar pardon after Pharsalus and promote, only for him to later become one of Caesar’s assassins?
Marcus Junius Brutus
What major political issue brought Caesar and Cicero into disagreement during the Catiline Conspiracy?
Whether the conspirators should be executed. Caesar argued against execution
What aspect of Julius Caesar is Plutarch’s Life of Caesar particularly valuable for studying?
Caesar’s personal life, personality and character, including events such as his capture by pirates, relationship with Cleopatra and assassination.
What subjects did Caesar study as part of his education?
Rhetoric, Greek and Roman law.
What command did Caesar receive after his consulship that became crucial to his later power?
A proconsular command in Gaul.
What position did Caesar hold in 62 BC that equalled the highest political achievement of his father?
Praetor
What were the three major outcomes of the Conference of Luca in 56 BC for Caesar, Pompey and Crassus?
Caesar’s command in Gaul was extended for another five years; Pompey received a five-year command in Spain; and Crassus received a five-year command in Syria.
Which political opponent repeatedly tried to block Caesar’s legislation during the consulship of 59 BC and later fought for Pompey in the Civil War?
Bibulus
Which supporter used his position as tribune in 50 BC to veto attempts by the optimates to replace Caesar in Gaul?
Gaius Curio
What major limitation must historians consider when using Caesar’s own Commentaries?
Caesar used them partly for self-promotion and propaganda, emphasising his achievements and exaggerating some enemies, meaning they are not completely objective.
Who wrote: “In Caesar there are many Mariuses.”
Plutarch, Life of Caesar.
Which ancient writer records Caesar declaring “I will return as Pontifex or as an exile” before the election for Pontifex Maximus?
Suetonius
Who wrote that Caesar was “buying the greatest place in the world” through his extravagant spending during aedileship?
Plutarch, Fall of the Roman Republic: Caesar, 5
Writing about Caesar’s aedileship.
Caesar using games, spending and popularity as a path to political advancement.
According to Appian, which Roman writer famously called the alliance of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus “The Beast with Three Heads”?
Varro
Who wrote: “Antony was Caesar’s right hand and his avenger.”
Plutarch, Life of Antony.
Which ancient writer argued that Julia’s marriage to Pompey had “disguised rather than restrained” the rivalry between Caesar and Pompey?
Plutarch, Life of Pompey.
Which book of the Gallic War was not written by Caesar, and who wrote it?
Book 8, written by Aulus Hirtius after Caesar’s death.