Ancient Rome: Decline and Rise of Julius Caesar

Questions and Answers

What was Caesar's primary motivation for expanding Roman citizenship?

To increase his own military power

To create a new social class in Rome

To reduce the power of the Roman Senate

To solidify Roman rule and settle new territories (correct)

What was the problem with the Roman calendar before Caesar's reforms?

It was based on a lunar cycle

It was only used in Rome

It was not based on the solar cycle (correct)

It was too long

Caesar's reforms to the Roman Senate included:

Dissolving the Senate

Giving the Senate more power

Reducing the size of the Senate

Expanding the size of the Senate and who it represented (correct)

What was the primary difference between the Roman calendar and the Julian Calendar?

The Julian Calendar was based on the solar cycle Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Caesar's political maneuvering in the Senate?

A law preventing extortion was passed Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the first year of the Julian Calendar having 455 days?

To get the months and seasons back on track Signup and view all the answers

Who was allowed to add days to the Roman calendar before Caesar's reforms?

Roman priests and leaders Signup and view all the answers

What innovation is credited to Caesar in relation to the Julian Calendar?

The invention of leap year Signup and view all the answers

What was a major issue in the Roman Republic during Julius Caesar's time?

The rich were getting richer, and the poor were getting poorer. Signup and view all the answers

Why did armies fight in the Roman Republic?

For the wealth and status that their general could give them. Signup and view all the answers

What was Julius Caesar's family background?

He was born into a patrician family, but they had no wealth. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Julius Caesar's early challenges?

Gaining political office and exerting influence. Signup and view all the answers

What position did Julius Caesar hold in 59 B.C.?

Consul Signup and view all the answers

Where did Julius Caesar serve as governor from 58 to 51 B.C.?

Gaul Signup and view all the answers

What can be said about Julius Caesar's military career?

He lost his fair share of battles, but never lost a war. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Declining Republic

The Roman Republic was in a state of conflict, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
The Republic was in a perpetual state of war, with armies fighting for their generals' wealth and status rather than for their country.

Julius Caesar's Early Life

Julius Caesar was born into a patrician family, but his family did not have massive wealth.
Despite this, Caesar managed to climb the political ladder in Rome, achieving various positions.

Caesar's Political Career

Caesar held positions including:
- Quaestor (Ancient Roman accountant) in 68 B.C.
- Curule aedile (responsible for maintaining the city and keeping the people entertained) in 65 B.C.
- Pontifex maximus (chief priest of Rome) in 65 B.C.
- Praetor (dual role as military leader and judge) in 62 B.C.
- Consul (one of two leaders of Rome) in 59 B.C.
- Dictator for Life in 44 B.C.

Expanding and Reforming the Republic

Caesar was a highly accomplished general, never losing a war despite losing battles.
He conquered Gaul (modern-day France) from 58 to 51 B.C. and expanded the Roman Republic into present-day Belgium.
Caesar expanded Roman citizenship and actively worked to settle new territories around the Republic.
He continued to push Roman influence through the Mediterranean into Europe.

The Senate

The Roman Senate was similar to the Senate in the United States today, with elected members representing the Roman people and creating new laws.
Caesar increased government transparency by publishing Senate activities.
He expanded the size of the Senate and extended who the Senate represented.
Caesar passed a law through the Senate to prevent extortion.

Julian Calendar

Before Caesar's reign, the Roman calendar had 355 days, based on the lunar cycle.
Caesar reformed the calendar to base it on the solar cycle, with 365 1/4 days.
He introduced the concept of leap year to account for the extra 1/4 day.
The Julian Calendar was used worldwide until the 1500s, when the Gregorian Calendar made improvements.