Unit 1 - "Abuse of Power"

Author Bio: Suetonius (ca. 70-130 A.D.) Roman biographer and historian who wrote during the Imperial Era of the Roman Empire.

Date/Context: Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.E.

Summary: The people believed that Julius Caesar was killed for a good reason. He believed that Julius Caesar was too conceited and thought too highly of himself. He gave himself so many honors that were not possible for a mortal. He had a golden throne in the House, a chariot and litter in the procession at the circuses. Caesar had too many statues, temples, and altars dedicated to himself. He put himself next to the gods. Any honor that could be received, he got. Anything Julius Caesar said, would become a law. After awhile, people began to resent him. It's a controversial topic whether or not Caesar deserved to be killed or not.

Key Quotations:

"But it was the following action that roused deadly hatred against him."
"Yet after all, his other actions and words so turn the scale, that it is thought that he abused his power and was justly slain."
"No less arrogant were his public utterances..."