JULIUS CAESAR English 10 Mr. Allen
Presentation Topics Topic #1: Politics of Rome Topic #2: Emperors of Rome Topic #3: Religion of Rome Topic #4: The Legion Topic #5: Rome the city Topic #6: Roman Society Topic#7: Punic Wars (vs. Carthage) Topic#8: Roman Conquest of Britain Topic #9: Roman First Triumvirate Topic #10: Virgil s Aeneid
Presentation Guidelines 1. Make it historically accurate do not watch Gladiator then produce the power point. 2. Make it interesting there are so many good Roman stories (and web sites who knew they had internet?). 3. Make it 10 slides in length (stuck for ideas: 5 Ws ) 4. Use good images (eye candy) 5. Reference your information in MLA format on each slide. 6. Use Power Point, if not Libre Office Libre office files must be saved as.odp or you will regret forgetting!
Politics of Rome Politics in Roman times were very dangerous because of the power that one person could hold. In Roman history, there have been many different models of Roman government. Explore these different governments as well as the government of Caesar s time.
Emperors of Rome Roman emperors were a unique group (to say the least). Identify the characteristics of what should be described as five of the most powerful emperors. Keep this interesting!
Religion of Rome Religion in Rome was the cornerstone of its culture. From Polytheism to monotheism, Rome has done it all. Portray the difference between Polytheism and monotheism by showing some godly research.
The Legion "Veni, vidi, vici" I came, I saw, I conquered. Say no more! This classic line from J.C. (no other) tells the tale of the Roman Legion. What was the legion, and why was it so important to Rome's survival, but also its very moral fabric. If you a really good job you may just decimate your class mates!
Rome the city The city of Rome was the center of the universe (to Romans that is). What was the city like, and what did this city have that made it such an icon in ancient history?
Roman Society When in Rome, do as the Romans do Well, what did they do? What was life like during the life and times of Julius Caesar? Give details, give stories, give the gory details!
Punic Wars (vs. Carthage) Well, did you think that everyone like the Romans? Carthage did not. The trouble is one cannot seem to find anyone from Carthage to ask them why? Details, details, details!
Roman Conquest of Britain Yeah, our history is linked to the Romans too. How so? Were they tourists, conquerors, or tenants? Did they leave anything behind that might show us what or how they lived at this time?
Roman First Triumvirate The Romans were always the first to do so many things even the wrong things! Or as I like ot say go big or go home! What was (who were) the Roman Triumvirate? Think
Virgil s Aeneid Hey what is history without a good...historical story? Even better when you make it up, or copy parts of someone else's history. Who says you cannot pay for a good history book (or scroll).
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Brutus A supporter of the republic who believes strongly in a government guided by the votes of senators. While Brutus loves Caesar as a friend, he opposes the ascension of any single man to the position of dictator, and he fears that Caesar aspires to such power. Brutus s inflexible sense of honor makes it easy for Caesar s enemies to manipulate him into believing that Caesar must die in order to preserve the republic. While the other conspirators act out of envy and rivalry, only Brutus truly believes that Caesar s death will benefit Rome. Unlike Caesar, Brutus is able to separate completely his public life from his private life; by giving priority to matters of state, he epitomizes Roman virtue. Torn between his loyalty to Caesar and his allegiance to the state, Brutus becomes the tragic hero of the play.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Julius Caesar A great Roman general and senator, recently returned to Rome in triumph after a successful military campaign. While his good friend Brutus worries that Caesar may aspire to dictatorship over the Roman republic, Caesar seems to show no such inclination, declining the crown several times. Yet while Caesar may not be unduly powerhungry, he does possess his share of flaws. He is unable to separate his public life from his private life, and, seduced by the populace s increasing idealization and idolization of his image, he ignores ill omens and threats against his life, believing himself as eternal as the North Star.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Antony A friend of Caesar. Antony claims allegiance to Brutus and the conspirators after Caesar s death in order to save his own life. Later, however, when speaking a funeral oration over Caesar s body, he spectacularly persuades the audience to withdraw its support of Brutus and instead condemn him as a traitor. With tears on his cheeks and Caesar s will in his hand, Antony engages masterful rhetoric to stir the crowd to revolt against the conspirators. Antony s desire to exclude Lepidus from the power that Antony and Octavius intend to share hints at his own ambitious nature.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Cassius A talented general and longtime acquaintance of Caesar. Cassius dislikes the fact that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans. He slyly leads Brutus to believe that Caesar has become too powerful and must die, finally converting Brutus to his cause by sending him forged letters claiming that the Roman people support the death of Caesar. Impulsive and unscrupulous, Cassius harbors no illusions about the way the political world works. A shrewd opportunist, he proves successful but lacks integrity.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Octavius Caesar s adopted son and appointed successor. Octavius, who had been traveling abroad, returns after Caesar s death; he then joins with Antony and sets off to fight Cassius and Brutus. Antony tries to control Octavius s movements, but Octavius follows his adopted father s example and emerges as the authoritative figure, paving the way for his eventual seizure of the reins of Roman government.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Casca A public figure opposed to Caesar s rise to power. Casca relates to Cassius and Brutus how Antony offered the crown to Caesar three times and how each time Caesar declined it. He believes, however, that Caesar is the consummate actor, lulling the populace into believing that he has no personal ambition.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Calpurnia Caesar s wife. Calpurnia invests great authority in omens and portents. She warns Caesar against going to the Senate on the Ides of March, since she has had terrible nightmares and heard reports of many bad omens. Nevertheless, Caesar s ambition ultimately causes him to disregard her advice. Portia Brutus s wife; the daughter of a noble Roman who took sides against Caesar. Portia, accustomed to being Brutus s confidante, is upset to find him so reluctant to speak his mind when she finds him troubled. Brutus later hears that Portia has killed herself out of grief that Antony and Octavius have become so powerful.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Flavius A tribune (an official elected by the people to protect their rights). Flavius condemns the plebeians for their fickleness in cheering Caesar, when once they cheered for Caesar s enemy Pompey. Flavius is punished along with Murellus for removing the decorations from Caesar s statues during Caesar s triumphal parade. Cicero A Roman senator renowned for his oratorical skill. Cicero speaks at Caesar s triumphal parade. He later dies at the order of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.
Julius Caesar: Character Profiles Lepidus The third member of Antony and Octavius s coalition. Though Antony has a low opinion of Lepidus, Octavius trusts his loyalty. Murellus Like Flavius, a tribune who condemns the plebeians for their fickleness in cheering Caesar, when once they cheered for Caesar s enemy Pompey. Murellus and Flavius are punished for removing the decorations from Caesar s statues during Caesar s triumphal parade. Decius A member of the conspiracy. Decius convinces Caesar that Calpurnia misinterpreted her dire nightmares and that, in fact, no danger awaits him at the Senate. Decius leads Caesar right into the hands of the conspirators.
Julius Caesar: Major Themes 1. Heroes vs. Villains 2. Omens 3. Idealism 4. Identities, both Public and Private 5. Ambition and Conflict 6. Power of Speech
Heroes and Villains Both Cesar and Brutus are perceived to be heroes and villains in Julius Caesar. At the opening of the play, Caesar is hailed for his conquests and is admired for his apparent humility upon refusing the crown. However, once murdered, Caesar is painted (by Brutus et al) as a power hungry leader with the intentions of enslaving all of Rome.
Omens The seriousness with which Romans looked to omens is evident throughout Julius Caesar; however ominous warnings and negative omens are often overlooked or misinterpreted.
Idealism Brutus wishes for an ideal world. He is happily married, lives in a beautiful home, and is successful according to all measures of Roman living. However, Brutus wishes for perfection in his life, and although he loves Caesar, Brutus fears Caesar is too.
Identities (public and private) In Julius Caesar, the audience is able to see both the private and public sides of Caesar and Brutus. Caesar is a powerful confident man who leads great armies and effectively rules the Roman empire.
Ambition and conflict Caesar is a great man, and an ambitious man. His ambition is what worries Brutus, and ultimately leads to Brutus joining the conspiracy to murder Caesar. Cassius is also a very ambitious man, and because he is so jealous of Caesar's power, wishes to kill him to gain more power for himself.
Power of speech Speech plays a very important role in the plot developments of Julius Caesar. The plebeians are easily swayed into greatly opposing viewpoints through Brutus' and Antony's speeches. Antony's great manipulation of the crowd causes anarchy in the streets of Rome and creates the support for a mission to avenge Caesar's death.