Source I: Citizens of Rome, you have seen how corrupt. and weak the senate has become. They have. murdered my uncle, the great Julius Caesar.

Transcription

1 Source I: Testimony of Augustus Caesar after the Assassination Citizens of Rome, you have seen how corrupt and weak the senate has become. They have murdered my uncle, the great Julius Caesar. You know that everything he did was for the people of Rome! It was he who protected us from the invaders while the senators bickered among themselves. They were simply jealous that he accomplished in a short time what they could not do in many years. Rome needs an emperor who will protect her which is why I was forced to seize power! I will not wait for the senate to act. From now on decisions will be made quickly and with the authority that only a true emperor can provide! Never again will Rome be weak. There will always be a Caesar to lead her! Created by compiling historical evidence from:

2 Source II: Testimony of Military Commander and Politician, TREBONIUS I appreciate Caesar appointing me to the Consul position, however he has gone too far. A few days ago we in the Senate offered to honor Julius Caesar by deifying him; we wanted to make him a god! There was no greater honor we could possibly have given him. How Caesar acted lost much respect from me on this day... When we presented him with this honor on the floor of the Senate, he refused to even leave his chair. He refused to stand and receive the honor! What nerve this man has - just who does he think he is? There is nothing one can imagine that would be more insulting. He gave us no reason for his refusal, only for us to think he does not need our approval any longer? What are we to think? It seems Caesar no longer wishes to consult with the Senate on how to mange the republic. Rome has been a republic for centuries but he wants to return us to an empire! What are we to do? Compiled and excerpted from: Holmes, T. Rice, The Roman Republic and the Founder of the Empire, Vol. II (1923)

3 Source III: Testimony From one of Caesar s Bodyguards: Last week Caesar fired me along with the rest of his bodyguards. Why wouldn t he want us to protect him? Considering how popular he is, I figured he would want (and would need) extra protection. He told us that from now on he would be traveling on his own. We insisted that he keep us around, but it is of no use. I don t know what he is thinking. He keeps saying that nobody would risk attack him, since he is so well loved that his murder would plunge Rome into a civil war. He thinks nobody would dare bring this onto Rome! But, maybe he is starting to believe this talk that he is truly a god and nobody can hurt him. I have no idea if he is a god or not, but I think it is likely someone may try to hurt him. Maybe Caesar fired us because he wants his privacy? If so, I just hope he stays home...there are many whispers of conspiracy going around and I have even heard Cassius make threats toward him... Modified from:

4 Source IV: Plutarch, Roman Historian This place was destined for the scene of this murder... where the senate met that day. Cassius, just before the act, is said to have looked towards the great Pompey's statue, and silently implored his assistance... But this occasion, and the instant danger, carried him away out of all his reasonings, and filled him for the time with a sort of inspiration. As for Antony, who was firm to Caesar, and a strong man, Brutus Albinus kept him outside the house, and delayed him with a long conversation on purpose. When Caesar entered, the senate stood up to show their respect to him and some came about his chair and stood behind it. Others met him, asking for a petition on behalf of the brother of Tillius Cimber, for he was in exile. When he was sat down, he refused to comply with their requests. After several refusals, Tillius, laying hold of Caesar s robe with both his hands, pulled it down from his neck, which was the signal for the assault. Casca gave him the first cut, in the neck, which was not mortal nor dangerous... Caesar immediately turned about, and laid his hand upon the dagger and kept hold of it. And both of them at the same time Caesar cried out, "Vile Casca, what does this mean?" and Tillius, to his brothers in the Senate, "Brother, help!" Upon this first onset, those who were not privy to the design were astonished and their horror and amazement at what they saw were so great, that they durst not fly nor assist Caesar, nor so much as speak a word. But those who came prepared for the business enclosed him on every side, with their naked daggers in their hands. No matter the way he turned, he met with blows, and saw their swords leveled at his face and eyes, and was encompassed, like a wild beast, on every side. For it had been agreed they should each of them make a thrust at him, and flesh themselves with his blood; for which reason Brutus also gave him one stab in the leg. Some say that he fought and resisted all the rest, shifting his body to avoid the blows, and calling out for help, but that when he saw Brutus's sword drawn, he covered his face with his robe and submitted, letting himself fall, Created by compiling the words of the Roman historian, Plutarch:

5 Source V: Cassius, Roman Statesmen and general Cassius. Ay, do you fear it? That our beloved Rome may be doomed by this god? Brutus. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. What is it that you would impart to me? Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favour. Well, honour is the subject of my story. I was born free as Caesar; so were you: We both have fed as well, and we can both Endure the winter's cold as well as he. Once day the troubled Tiber were chafing with her shores, Caesar said to me 'Thy, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point?' Upon his word, I plunged in And bade him follow; so indeed he did. The torrent roar'd, and we did strike it Caesar cried 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!' To which I helped him, by why? Now he is being named a god, and I a wretched creature who must follow, is this a characteristic of a God, one who almost taken beneath by the Tiber, I ask? And it was a I, a wretched creature, who saved him? Adapted from the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare:

6 Source VI: Nicolaus of Damascus wrote his account of the murder of Caesar a few years after the event. He was not actually present when the assassination occurred but had the opportunity to speak with those who were. "The conspirators never met openly, but they assembled a few at a time in each others' homes. There were many discussions and proposals, as might be expected, while they investigated how and where to execute their design. Some suggested that they should make the attempt as he was going along the Sacred Way, which was one of his favorite walks. Another idea was for it to be done at the elections during which he had to cross a bridge to appoint the magistrates in the Campus Martius; they should draw lots for some to push him from the bridge and for others to run up and kill him. A third plan was to wait for a coming gladiatorial show. The advantage of that would be that, because of the show, no suspicion would be aroused if arms were seen prepared for the attempt. But the majority opinion favored killing him while he sat in the Senate, where he would be by himself since non-senators would not be admitted, and where the many conspirators could hide their daggers beneath their togas. This plan won the day." Excerpted from

7 Source VII: The Assassination of Julius Caesar, 44 BCE: In January of 49 BCE, Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon River in Northern Italy. Roman law stated that no general was allowed to do this, for if his army entered the city of Rome, the soldiers were more likely to follow orders from their general than obey the laws of the city. Therefore, generals were to leave their armies north of the Rubicon when they entered the city. Caesar ignored this, and upon him entering the city, plunged the republic into civil war. Within three months Caesar controlled the entire Italian peninsula and had defeated those who remained loyal to the past government, led by Pompey. Caesar continued to consolidate his power and in February 44 BCE, he declared himself dictator for life. His unlawful invasion of Rome and the proclamation of his seemingly infinite rule turned many in the Senate against him. Sixty members of the Senate concluded that the only resolution to the problem was to assassinate Caesar. Modified and Adapted from

8 Source VIII: Transcript of Caesar s Final Days Marc Antony: Caesar, I have not seen you these last few days, so I have come to visit you at your home. Have you thought over my offer to ask the Senate to make you the king of Rome? Julius Caesar: Yes, Marc Antony. I have decided to take you up on your offer to be king. Marc Antony: That is wonderful news! I am glad to hear it! Julius Caesar: But something here at my home is greatly disturbing me. When I told my wife, Calpurnia, about going tomorrow, she begged me not to. She was cried out about her recent nightmares where I was murdered! Marc Antony: Caesar, it was nothing more than a frightening dream. Do not let this trouble you. Julius Caesar: I had Brutus come to my home last evening to speak with Calpurnia and he convinced her that she was misinterpreting her dreams. But he said the dream was a good omen. Marc Antony: I agree! So, we shall see you tomorrow then. Julius Caesar: Yes, I will be at the Senate tomorrow Julius Caesar: I still have an uneasy feeling about this day. What if Calpurnia is right and something happens? Ah, I hear knocking. Brutus: Caesar, my friend. I am here to accompany you to the Senate. Julius Caesar: Brutus, I am still not sure I should go. Something is gnawing at me. I have a deep fear in my soul. Brutus: What is it, my friend? Julius Caesar: I am disturbed by the frantic pleadings of my wife. I have also received a message from a fortuneteller that I should stay home from the Senate. The soothsayer has warned that something bad will happen. Brutus:... Nonsense, Caesar. Do not be troubled by such things. Hurry, the men await at the Senate to crown you king! We mustn't keep them waiting! ---- Julius Caesar: Hello, Senators. It is so nice to see you all today!...this all that remains of this transcript... Created using research of the events leading up to Caesar s death: Excerpted from

9 Source IX: Letter From Senator Marcus Brutus Gaius Cassius, I have read your plan thoroughly and I believe we have no choice. It pains me to believe that I shall play a role in my best friend s demise. Caesar trusts me and has been a true friend, but I love Rome even more. I will meet him at his home on March 15th and bring him to the Senate. Here, this unthinkable but necessary crime shall take place. - Marcus Brutus... This letter has collected direct and smudges over the years... Created by compiling research from Cassius writings:

10 Source X: Testimony from Luciano GaroFano, Investigator In my research I recreated the scene at which Julius Caesar was murdered and ran several simulations of the attack to learn how it all took place. We know from the autopsy taken at the time that Caesar suffered 23 knife wounds, yet only 5 were noted in detail in the report. It also drew my attention that Marcus Brutus, a suspected co-conspirator, was also wounded in the attack. Brutus received a deep laceration on his hand, as was noted following the attack. We began creating the simulation with 23 separate attackers. This led to complete and utter chaos. Imagine 23 men attempting to strike a target at once? There is just no way for all 23 men to strike Caesar at the same time. So, this of course led me to ask the question of how might these 23 men have worked together to kill this man. Did these attackers act all at once, or did they attack in waves? Or, is it possible there were fewer than 23 attackers and the conspiracy was much smaller than we have been led to believe? If only a few of these men were directly involved, maybe a handful of others who were involved held Caesar (or even the other senators) back? Since Caesar was killed in the Senate, in an open forum meeting, it is likely there would have been several senators who admired and supported Caesar. After all, he appointed many of these men to their positions and it is likely these men would have wanted to protect him. Keep in mind that Brutus was also injured, which increases the likelihood of a frenzied attack on Caesar that led to a stray blade also striking Brutus... Compiled from evidence uncovered by modern forensic investigator Luciano Garofano: a Documentary Video History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

11 Detective Name Period Date CSI: WHO KILLED JULIUS CAESAR? Suspect Name: Julius Caesar Birthplace: Roman Empire Birth date: July, 100 BCE Death: March 15, 44 BCE (55 years old) Eyes: Green Hair: Brown, Balding Height: 5 7 Weight: 175 lbs Occupation: Roman Consul On the left is a photo created to show the assignation of Julius Caesar. On the right is a marble statue made to depict Caesar. CASE SUMMARY On March 15, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar died of multiple stab wounds to the chest. There were many witnesses to the attack but few concrete details could be worked out. Born as a member of the patrician elite, Caesar rose to fame in large part because of how he identified with the lower plebeian class. Caesar quickly became popular in the Roman Republic. He was elected Senator at age 30, then at 39 he was appointed to the post of military governor of Spain. In 60 BCE, at the age of 40, Caesar was elected for the highest position in all of Rome: he became one of Rome s two Consuls. As Consul, Caesar expanded Rome s territory into Gaul, allied Rome with powerful neighbors such as France, and worked hard to satisfy the Roman citizens. However, despite his widespread admiration and popularity, Julius Caesar was brutally murdered on the Senate floor in the year 44 BCE. His death would plunge the Roman Republic into a civil war that would transform the republic into an empire. Your responsibility, detective, is to uncover two questions regarding Julius Caesar s assassination. WHO MURDERED JULIUS CAESAR AND WHY WAS HE MURDERED?

12 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Augustus involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Station I )1) Testimony of Augustus Caesar 1. Who did Augustus blame for killing Caesar? a. the Senate b. Brutus c. Cassius d. Tyrannus 2. How did Augustus say the senate felt toward Julius Caesar? a. angry b. jealous c. sad d. happy 3. How was Julius related to Augustus? a. He was his uncle b. He was his father c. He was his brother d. He was not related 4. What kind of authority does he say he will use? a. the authority of a king c. the authority of a father b. the authority of a servant d. the authority of an emperor 5. Augustus said Rome will always have who to lead her? a. A king b. A Caesar c. the Senate d. an Emperor Do you think Augustus could be guilty of the crime? Why or why not?

13 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Trebonius involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Testimony of Military Commander and Politician, TREBONIUS 1. How did he feel toward Caesar? a. happy b. angry c. glad d. unconcerned 2. Why was he upset with Caesar? a. he had fired them from their jobs c. he didn t stand to receive their honor b. he told them they were crazy d. he told them he didn t want their honor 3. What did the Senate want to do for Caesar? a. disgrace him by firing him c. honor him with a statue b. honor him with deificanon d. create a holiday for him 4. Do you think he would be willing to kill Julius Caesar? a. Yes b. No 5. What does deificanon mean? a. make a god b. fire c. reward with a prize d. honor with girs Do you think Trebonius could be guilty of the crime? Why or why not?

14 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine the involvement of Caesar s bodyguards. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Station III )3) Testimony From one of Caesar s Bodyguards: 1. What did Caesar do to his bodyguards? a. fire them c. make them senators b. promote them d. send them on vacanon 2. Who did Tyrannus say had threatened Caesar? a. Cassius b. Brutus c. Augustus d. no one 3. What does Tyrannus say he hopes Caesar will do? a. fight the senate c. stay home b. fire the senate d. take a trip 4. Do you think Tyrannus was angry with Caesar? a. Yes b. No 5. Do you think Tyrannus wanted to see Caesar get more control? a. Yes b. No Do you think Tyrannus could be guilty of the crime? Why or why not?

15 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Plutarch s involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Station IV )4) Plutarch the Historian 1. Where does Plutarch say the murder took place? a. in the street c. floor of Caesar s home b. Brutus office d. the Senate floor 2. Did everyone here know about the awack? a. Yes b. No 3. What did Cassius and Brutus do to stall Caesar's entrance? a. told him a story b. tripped him c. told him a joke d. engaged him in conversanon 4. Who struck the first blow? a. Tillius c. Cassius b. Brutus d. Tyrannus 5. What did Plutarch do? a. he was a historian b. he was a Senator c. he was a King Do you think Plutarch s account is reliable? Why or Why not?

16 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Cassius involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Station V )5) Cassius 1. What is Cassius view of Julius Caesar? a. that Caesar is a great man c. that Caesar is an effecnve and profound leader b. that Caesar should be honored d. that Caesar is conceited 2. Where did this source come from? a. a play b. a movie c. Cassius himself d. Caesar himself 3. To Cassius, what is most important? a. Caesar b. Rome c. the gods d. the Senate 4. Why does Cassius believe Caesar is not a god? a. Cassius saw Caesar bleed c. Cassius saw Caesar bow to a king b. Cassius saw Caesar lose a bawle d. Cassius once saved Caesar s life 5. Who is Cassius talking with in this source? a. Caesar b. Brutus c. the gods d. the Senate Do you think Cassius could be guilty of the crime? Why or why not?

17 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Nicolaus involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Stations VI )6) Nicolaus of Damascus 1. Which word is a synonym for the word conspirator? a. police c. friends b. collaborator d. polincians 2. According to Nicolaus, how many different plots for Caesar's murder was planned? a. 3 c. 4 b. 2 d Who does Nicolaus allude to killed Julius Caesar? a. Cassius b. Brutus c. Marc Antony d. the Senate What evidence do you have to support your statement? 4. What weapon did the awacker(s) plan on using? a. Knife b. Rope c. Chariot d. Poison Do you think Nicolaus report is trustworthy? Why or why not?

18 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Caesar s involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Stations VII )7) The Assassination of Julius Caesar 1. According to this source, did Julius Caesar give Roman cinzens a reason to be concerned for their safety or for the safety of their republic? a. yes c. no 2. What does Roman law say about generals and the Rubicon River? a. generals cannot cross it, ever. b. generals can only cross it arer they give wriwen nonce c. generals cannot cross the river unnl they win a bawle d. generals can cross the river if they leave their soldiers behind 3. What phrase might be said by Caesar during 44 BCE? a. I have enjoyed my Nme as ruler, it is now Nme to step down. b. I should rule forever - I proclaim myself dictator for life! c. I am sick of fighnng - it is Nme to renre! d. I should relinquish my rule since the warring period is over. 4. What is a synonym for consolidate? a. crumble c. strengthen b. ignore d. honor 5. What is a civil war? a. A war against an outside force b. A war fought internally c. A war fought strictly over land What factors might be contributed to the assassination of Julius Caesar? Assuming this source is accurate, do you think his murder was justified? History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

19 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine what happened on Caesar s final days. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Stations VIII )8) Transcript of Caesar s Final Days 1. Does Marc Antony seem to be on Caesar s side or against him? a. he is WITH Caesar b. he is AGAINST Caesar What evidence do you have to support your statement? 2. Does Marcus Brutus seem to be on Caesar s side or against him? a. he is WITH Caesar b. he is AGAINST Caesar What evidence do you have to support your statement? 3. Should Caesar have trusted Calpurnia s nightmares? a. yes b. no c. more informanon is needed 4. What best describes Brutus just before the awack? a. he was trying to calm Caesar c. he was trying to persuade his murderer to change his mind b. he was watching Caesar closely d. he was convincing Caesar to become king Do you think Antony or Brutus could be guilty of the crime? Why or why not?

20 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Brutus involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Stations IX )9) Letter From Senator Marcus Brutus 1. People living in Roman Nmes rarely went by their first name, so do not be alarmed if you have not seen this first name before. Who was this lewer wriwen to? 2. ARer reading this lewer, what can you determine about how Brutus viewed Caesar? a. he viewed Caesar as a great friend c. he was jealous of the power Caesar had accumulated b. he had wanted to kill Caesar for a long Nme d. he proposed the plan to kill Caesar 3. Based on what you read, why does Brutus think something needs to be done with Caesar? a. Caesar is a liar c. Caesar is becoming corrupt b. It is more important to keep Rome safe d. Brutus wanted to become king What evidence do you have to support your statement? 4. What role will Brutus play in the awack? a. he will lure Caesar to the Senate c. he will not play a role b. he will convince Caesar to step down d. he will kill Caesar by himself 5. Who seems to be the insngator (hint: an insngator is a person who brings about or ininates something)? a. Cassius d. Brutus Do you think Cassius or Brutus could be guilty of the crime? Why or why not?

21 Name Period Directions: Answer the questions below with your knowledge from the corresponding source. After you have finished the multiple choice questions, create a written response to determine Garafano s involvement. Once finished, navigate throughout the room and complete another source! Have fun, detective! Stations X )10) Testimony from Luciano Garafano, Investigator 1. How many wounds did Caesar have? a. 5 b. 10 c. 15 d What other person besides Caesar was wounded in the awack? a. Brutus c. Augustus b. Cassius d. no one 3. Why would some senators not want to be involved? a. they were afraid of Brutus b. they were angry with each other c. Julius Caesar had appointed them to their jobs d. they wanted a chance to become emperor What evidence do you have to support your statement? 4. Would it have been possible for 23 men to awack Caesar at the same Nme? a. Yes b. No Based on Garafano s research, do you think one person committed this crime, or were many people involved? Explain your answer with specific evidence from his study. History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

22 Name Period Directions: Answer the two questions below based on your research on Julius Caesar s assassination. Be sure to answer each question with specific evidence from your investigation. On the back, create a picture what you think the crime scene would have looked like. My conclusion is... Who do you think was responsible for the assassination of Julius Caesar? _ Why was Julius Caesar Killed? _

23 My conclusion is... Based on what you learned, sketch a picture of the crime scene: