ACCOUNT #1 ACCOUNT #1 ACCOUNT #1

The next day, Octavian Caesar said . . .

“When will they see? The citizens

of Rome, all of us, have been tricked by the corrupt Senate.
They have conspired to murder my uncle, the great Julius Caesar. In
their jealous rage and desire for power they have killed the one man who
has protected Rome all of these years. Where would we be without Octavian was Julius
Caesar, who simultaneously protected us from outside attacks while caring Caesar’s adopted son and
heir. He calls his adopted
for the Roman poor? Who else would provide free land to Romans who father “uncle” which was
customary for the time.
agreed to live on the outskirts of the empire, settling it to secure that land Following the attack,
Octavian formed the
for Rome? second triumvirate where
he, Lepidus, and Mark
Antony shared power over
the government. However,
Is it time for me to rise to the public's call? Shall I demand the right to rule, Octavian defeated the
others and, in 27 BCE,
to keep Rome on the path of prosperity that my uncle set out for her? I became the first emperor
of Rome. Later that year,
will not, I shall not, let Caesar's work be for not. Our dear republic Octavian accepted the
title “Augustus” from the
needs an emperor if it is to survive. . . I will Senate, which means “the
assume that role.” illustrious one.”
 ACCOUNT #2 ACCOUNT #2 ACCOUNT #2

Just Days before the attack Trebonius

was overheard saying . . .
“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! He just sat there, shaking . . .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 manage the republic. Rome has
been a republic for centuries but he wants to return us to an
empire! What are we to do? I only know what I can do. I will
serve as a distraction outside, keeping his loyal “friends” at bay.
These are no friends of Rome.”

Trebonius was a military general

who became one of Caesar’s most
trusted lieutenants. In 54 BCE, he
served as Caesar’s legate, or a
high-ranking military official who
closely advised Caesar, during the
Gaelic wars. In 45 BCE, Caesar
made Trebonius a consul of Rome.
Just After the attack on Caesar,
Trebonius fled the area and tried
to live secretly, but was
ultimately captured in Greece, put
on trial, and Beheaded for Treason.
ACCOUNT #3 ACCOUNT #3
In the days following the attack
Nicolaus of Damascus gave the
following report:
Nicolaus of Damascus
was a Jewish historian
and philosopher during The
time period. Nicolaus was
not present when the
assassination took place.
rather, he traveled to
Rome and spoke with those
who were involved in the
days following the
attack.
ACCOUNT #3
"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 the daggers beneath their togas. This plan
won the day."
 ACCOUNT #4 ACCOUNT #4 ACCOUNT #4

A year before the attack Cassius was

overheard talking to someone:

“Living under Caesar’s role is oppressive. Something

must be done before our Republic is no more. He
only cares about his own glory and he truly believes
he is a God. Just look at him walking around in his
purple toga - that is the color of the gods and
nobody should wear it! We should learn from our
history and remember the state of Rome when Sulla
was here. Caesar is clearly following in his footsteps.
Oh what dangerous precedents Sulla set!
Remember when Sulla declared himself dictator for
life just forty years ago? Do you remember when he
publicly posted death lists of those who opposed him
in the public forum? Then had any ‘enemy of the
state’ killed without trial? What about when he
seized private property of those who disagreed with
him? History is an endless cycle where one ruthless
leader is replaced in time by another, and it is up to
the people, it is up to us, to do something. We must
Cassius was a Roman senator and stop Caesar. I have already recruited over 60
brother-in-law to Marcus Brutus. people who wish to play a part in saving our
Born a plebeian, Cassius was elected
to the Tribune of the Plebs in 49 BCE to Republic. Will you join us, too? There is just one
represent the interests of the lower thing you must know. If we are caught, we have all
class. Following the assassination,
Cassius fled east and amassed armies agreed to turn our daggers on ourselves, for Caesar
from foreign leaders. He was will do far worse to us should we live to see it.”
ultimately hunted down by Octavian
and Antony before dying by suicide.
 ACCOUNT #5 ACCOUNT #5 ACCOUNT #5

Around 150 years after the assault

Plutarch stated that:
"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. . .

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 . . . 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..."

Plutarch was a roman

writer and historian
who was born exactly
100 years after the
assassination of
Julius Caesar. In his
famous book Parallel
Lives, Plutarch details
the life, achievements,
and death of Julius
Caesar.
 ACCOUNT #6 ACCOUNT #6 ACCOUNT #6

Following Caesar’s Funeral

Mark Antony said . . .
“I spoke at Caesar’s funeral, and I promised to be polite to those who
committed this deed. I know all of them. They say they did it for Rome, but
did Caesar deserve this? He made our Republic what it was . . . he has kept us
safe . . . he always had our interest at his heart. The people loved Julius. I
removed his toga to show the Roman people their beloved leader and all his
wounds, and once I did I was overcome with emotion. I couldn’t help myself,
and as I pointed at Caesar’s wounds I shouted who struck him at each location.
The crowd is now in a frenzy and I fear what may happen next, but those who
committed this heinous crime must pay a price. I plan to next unveil Caesar’s
will because the truth must come out. He wanted his
personal gardens to become parks for the people
to use for their enjoyment. For the men,
Caesar left 3 pure gold coins to do with what
they wish. What leader would be so generous?”

Mark Antony was a Roman politician

and general. Antony was a strong
supporter of Julius Caesar as he served
under him during his stay in the
military. In the immediate aftermath
Following Caesar’s death, Antony
joined forces with Octavian and a
general named Lepidus to form a 3-
headed dictatorship over Rome. Antony
ruled over Rome’s eastern provinces
until disagreements between he and
Octavian forced him to flee. In 30 BCE,
Octavian killed Antony while in Egypt
and became the sole leader of Rome.
ACCOUNT #7 ACCOUNT #7 ACCOUNT #7

The day before, this letter from

Marcus Brutus was found . . .

Brutus was a Roman Senator who was

very close with Julius Caesar, but the two
grew distant as they aged. Brutus traced
his ancestry back to Lucius Junius Brutus,
the legendary founder of the Roman
Republic when he assassinated the cruel
roman King Tarquin the great in 509 BCE.
As a result, Brutus took great pride in
keeping the republic safe. After Caesar’s
death, Brutus was targeted by Octavian
and Antony and, in 42 BCE, died by suicide.
ACCOUNT #8 ACCOUNT #8 ACCOUNT #8

180 years after the attack,

Suetonius stated that:
"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 within. Therefore, generals were to leave their armies north of the Rubicon
when they entered Rome. 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.

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."
Suetonius was a Roman
historian who was
best known for
writing The Twelve
Caesars, a series of
biographies on the
first twelve Roman
emperors. He also
wrote about Roman
poetry, Daily life, and
politics.
 ACCOUNT #9 ACCOUNT #9 ACCOUNT #9

In caesar’s FINAL DAYS THE FOLLOWING

CONVERSATIONS TOOK PLACE:
Mark 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.

Mark 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 cried out
about her recent nightmares where I was murdered!
Mark Antony Mark 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.

Mark Antony: I agree! So, we shall see you tomorrow then. I will meet you out
front.

Julius Caesar: Yes, I will be at the Senate tomorrow.

----

Julius Caesar 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
Marcus Brutus await at the Senate to crown you king! We mustn't keep them waiting.

—- (now at the Senate) —-

Julius Caesar: Hello Mark Antony, you were right. Those dreams were
meaningless. I mean, here it is, March 15th, and all is well.

Mark Antony: See, I told you.

Trebonius: Julius, so nice to see you. Head inside, the Senate awaits. Let Mark
Antony and I finish up our conversation.

TREBONIUS ...This all that remains of this transcript ...

ACCOUNT #10 ACCOUNT #10 ACCOUNT #10

Days after Caesar’s assassination,

Cleopatra said:
“Yes, I was in Rome when my beloved Julius was killed. I came to show my
support for Caesar, and of course hoped that our child, Caesarion, would be
named his heir. However, I know how the Romans view relationships with
outsiders, and I’ve seen how many in the Senate, including Cassius, view me
with such disdain. Why can’t two leaders of nations be together? Are they
afraid that I, as ruler of Egypt, would influence Caesar negatively toward
Rome? It became clear of their disgust toward me at the recent Lupercalia
festival. In front of a large crowed, that persistent Cicero voiced his disgust
when they gifted Caesar a diadem, or a royal headband, from my nation.
Alas, once he was brutally
assassinated I feared for my safety
and returned to Egypt. I hoped that
with Caesar alive, there might be a
mutual relationship between Rome
and Egypt, but that is no more . . .

Cleopatra became Queen of Egypt in 47 BCE and had a

romantic relationship with Julius Caesar; the two
had a child, Caesarion, whom he never discussed,
likely because of his own marriage to Calpurnia (and
since Roman Law forbade relationships with
foreigners). It is likely Cleopatra used her
relationship with Caesar to expand her power in
Egypt, however nobody knows for certain. Following
the assassination, Cleopatra returned to Egypt while
Rome descended into chaos. When Mark Antony
traveled to Egypt in 42 BCE, the two reportedly fell in
Love, which convinced many in the Senate that she
was planning to one-day take over Rome.
 A
CSI
INVESTIGATION
S C A E S A R
W H Y W A W H O
R E D , A N D
E
MURD SPONSIBLE?
WAS RE
A marble statue made
to depict Caesar.

Overview: Born as a member of the patrician elite, Julius 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 on March 15th 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:

WHY WAS CAESAR MURDERED, AND WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE?

 CSI: WHO KILLED JULIUS CAESAR?
SOURCE GUIDE
ACCOUNT #1
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #2
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #3
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)
ACCOUNT #4
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #5
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #6
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)
ACCOUNT #7
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #8
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #9
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is his connection to Caesar? ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)

ACCOUNT #10
1: Purpose: Who wrote this source? ___________________________________________________________________
What is her connection to Caesar? __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2: Motivation: What evidence can you gather as to why Caesar may have been killed? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Does this source provide detail as to who might have been involved? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

3: Involvement: On a scale from 1-10, provide a number that shows how great this person is involved: _____________
(1= not involved at all, 10 = extremely involved)
 Directions: Answer the t wo 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 sequence of events that shows the beginning at the
Rubicon River, and the eventual events that followed.

My conclusion is...
Who do you think was responsible for the assassination of Julius Caesar?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Why was Julius Caesar Killed?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
 Caesar's Final Days
Directions: Starting in the top left box, create a step-by-step breakdown of Caesar's final days. Begin with his actions at the Rubicon
River and end with the moments after Caesar's assassination. Be creative, and try your best to showcase all of the testimony that
has been put for ward regarding Caesar.!

CAESAR IS
ASSASSINATED
ON THE SENATE
FLOOR!