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__NOTOC__[[File: Ass of caesar one.jpg|200px300px|thumb|left|An 18th-century painting of Caesar’s assassination]]__NOTOC__The assassination of Caesar was a turning point in the history of Rome, not only did it end the career of one of the most powerful Romans, but it also initiated a chain of events that changed the very nature of Rome and its Empire. Among the consequences of the assassination were a brutal civil war and the rise of Mark Anthony and Octavian. The death of Caesar on the Ides of March sent the Roman Republic into a crisis that ultimately led to its abolition and the emergence of the Imperial system.

====Background==Why was Caesar Killed? ==Caesar was a member of the Roman aristocracy and he was a lifetime member of the popular faction. This was a party of nobles who claimed to be serving the interests of the common people. Caesar became one of the most powerful men in Rome when he joined the First Triumvirate. He used his new-found power to secure a consulship and the command of several legions which he used to wage war in Gaul. Following his conquest of Gaul, he was the most powerful man in Rome and he was feared by the Roman Senate. To safeguard his position Caesar marched on Rome and this began a civil war.<ref> Goldsworthy, Anthony. <i>Caesar: Life of a Colossus </i> (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006), p. 261</ref> Caesar fought the ''Optimate'' army, initially led by Pompey the Great.

He defeated Pompey at Pharsalus and later in a series of battles across the Mediterranean defeated several armies opposed to his rule. By 43 BC Caesar was by far the most important man in Rome and he had himself made dictator for life. This aroused the deep hatred of many in the Roman aristocracy. A conspiracy was formed by several leading Roman nobles, whose titular leader was Brutus, someone whom Caesar knew well. The Roman general had pardoned many of the conspirators and had even appointed some of them to high office. The members of the plot called themselves the liberators. The plot involved luring Caesar to Pompey’s theatre where gladiatorial games were to be held in his honor.<ref>Plutarch, <i>Life of Caesar</i>, xxxi</ref> The Roman leader was notoriously reckless when it came to his personal security. He refused bodyguards and he declared that to live surrounded by guards was not a life he wanted. Caesar had only a few personal attendants who escorted him everywhere.

On the Ides of March (15th of March), the conspirators lured their target Caesar to the Theatre of Pompey. Hereafter After he arrived, one of the conspirators seized his toga, and up to sixty assailants stabbed Caesar, who . Caesar later died because of blood loss. It is important to understand What were the motivations of those who killed the great Roman general. Caesar? They believed were convinced that he wanted to become king and to end the Republic. The killers of Caesar were all Republicans and they stridently believed in the Roman Constitution and the rule of the Senate. Brutus and the others believed thought that they were delivering the Romans from the tyranny of the conqueror of Gaul. The assassination of Caesar was carried out to protect the Republic and to preserve the ancient Constitution of the city.<ref> Goldsworthy, p. 314</ref>

====Immediate Aftermath of the Assassination==What happened Immediately Caesar was Murdered? ==[[File: Ass of caesar three.jpg|200px300px|thumb|left| A cameo of Mark Anthony]]The death of Caesar was a great shock to many. Those who had killed himshocking, but the assailants expected that the people of Rome would rally to them and support their actions and that this would save the Republic. However, most of the population remained wary and neutral, while many people and especially the political gangs, who controlled large areas of the city, were angered by the killing of Caesar. In the days after the assassination, there was an eerie calm in the city. Mark Anthony became the de-facto leader of the Caesarean party in the city, even though he had fallen out of favor in recent years with his former generalCaesar.<ref> Osgood, Josiah. <i>Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire </i> (New York: Cambridge University Press (USA), 2006), p. 113</ref> He arranged a political compromise that allowed the killers of Caesar to go unpunished and for those who had been appointed by the dead man to remain in office. This was able made it possible to maintain some semblance of order in the city. The lower class became increasingly incensed when they learned more about the death of Caesar and Anthony threatened to unleash them against the senators.<ref> Plutarch, <i>Life of Anthony</i>, xxiv</ref>

The reading of the will of Caesar came as a surprisewas surprising because he designated Octavian, he made his grand-nephew , as his son and heir. This shocked Mark Anthony who was not even mentioned by Caesar in his will. Octavian immediately returned from Greece and as Caesar’s heir, he instantly became one of the most influential men in Rome. This only added to the confusion in Rome. The Senate supported decided to support Octavian, who because they distrusted Mark Anthony . Mark Anthony became worried about his safety and he was forced to flee the city. He assembled an army of five legions but was defeated by Octavian and the forces of the Senate at the Battle of Mutina in Northern Italy (43 B.C.). The two consuls for that year were also killed during the battle. Antony was forced to retreat, and his cause seemed lost, but he was fortunateRome.

The Senate tried to take his After fleeing, Anthony assembled an army away from of five legions but was defeated by Octavian and give it to one the forces of the assassins Senate at the Battle of CaesarMutina in Northern Italy (43 B.<ref> Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars, xxiv</ref> This persuaded Octavian to enter an alliance with Anthony and LepidusC. This was the so-called Second Triumvirate and it divided the legions and provinces among the three allies). The aim of two consuls for that year were also killed during the agreement battle. Antony was forced to avenge the assassination of Caesar. They soon occupied Rome retreat, and launched a campaign of terror in his cause seemed lost, but the city, summarily killing Senators undermined their enemies. However, their rule was opposed by the ''Optimates'' and the assassins of Caesar and this led to another civil war.<ref>Galinsky, Karl. Augustan Culture. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1998), pposition with Octavian. 89</ref>

====The Civil War====Those who were involved in After the assassination of Caesar under battle, the command of Cassius Senate tried to take Octavian's army away and Brutus controlled much hand it over to one of the eastern portion Caesar's assassins.<ref> Suetonius, Lives of the Empire. Antony and Caesars, xxiv</ref> The Senate's miscalculation persuaded Octavian sailed to enter an alliance with an army to confront their enemies Anthony and Lepidus. This became the two armies confronted each other at Phillipa in modern Macedonia or Northern GreeceSecond Triumvirate. Here The Triumvirate seized power and then divided the two armies clashed legions and over two battles provinces among the followers of Caesar prevailedthree men. The battles had been closely fought and it aim of the Triumvirate was the personal bravery to consolidate control of Mark Anthony Rome and avenge the general Agrippa that ensured victory for the Second Triumvirateassassination of Caesar. The liberators They soon occupied Rome and launched a campaign of terror in the city, summarily killing their enemies. However, the ''Optimates'' allies all died in and Caesar's assassins rejected the battle or its aftermathTriumvirate's authority and started a second civil war.<ref> SuetoniusGalinsky, Karl. <i>Augustan Culture</I>. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, Lives of the Caesar1998), viip. 89</ref>. Brutus and Cassius committed suicide in the aftermath of the defeat.

The defeat at Philippi was a decisive one and it effectively ended == How did Augustus win the Civil War against the Optimates as a military force. While there ? ==Those who were to be more civil conflicts involved in the Senatorial elite assassination of Caesar were no longer active participants. Successive defeats and a series placed under the command of proscriptions had decimated the old Republican elite Cassius and they had most Brutus. They controlled much of their power. Those who wanted to preserve the old ideas eastern portion of the Republic no longer had the means or perhaps the will Empire. Antony and Octavian sailed with an army to prevent confront their enemies and the concentration of power two armies confronted each other at Phillipa in the lands of one modern Macedonia or Northern Greece. The two armies clashed and after two men<ref> Osgooddecisive battles, p 227</ref>the followers of Caesar prevailed. The assassination of Caesar battles had been closely fought and it was motivated by a desire to restore the old Republican system personal bravery of Mark Anthony and especially the influence of general Agrippa that ensured victory for the SenateSecond Triumvirate. In fact, the civil war that ensued The liberators and their ''Optimates'' allies all died in the battle or its aftermath .<ref> Suetonius, <i>Lives of the death of Caesar was to result in the side-lining of the Senate </i>, vii</ref> Brutus and those who believed Cassius committed suicide in the ideals aftermath of the Republicdefeat.

====The Second Triumvirate==== The Second Triumvirate saw the rise of Octavian defeat at Philippi was decisive and Mark Anthony, who became it effectively ended the most powerful man in RomeOptimates as a military force. Lepidus The Senate was decidedly a junior partner in also effectively neutered by the political arrangementTriumvirate's victory. Octavian, Mark Anthony Successive defeats and Lepidus divided a series of proscriptions had decimated the Roman Empire between them, but Anthony old Republican elite and Caesar's heir soon deftly side-lined Lepidusthey lost most of their power. Anthony assumed responsibility for Those who wanted to preserve the pacification old ideas of the east which Republic no longer had become restive after the civil wars. Anthony successful reimpose Roman control over means or perhaps even the will to prevent the Eastern section concentration of power in the Roman Empirelands of one or two men. <ref>Osgood, p 227</ref> The relationship between Mark Anthony and Octavian assassination of Caesar was sealed motivated by a series desire to restore the old Republican system and restore the influence of marriagesthe Senate. However, in truthIn essence, the two men were never really allies and both knew that there would be assassination was a day spectacular failure. Instead of reckoning. The Second Triumvirate allowed Octavian and Mark Anthony to rule restoring the republic, the old Roman EmpireRepublic was destroyed.

Octavian == What was the real power in Rome and he observed the forms of the Republican system Second Triumvirate? == <refdh-ad/>Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years Second Triumvirate saw the rise of Octavian and Mark Anthony, who became the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Books, 2003), pmost powerful man in Rome. 207 </ref>Lepidus was decidedly the junior partner in the political arrangement. In the east Octavian, Mark Anthony began a relationship with the Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra IV. For a brief period, and Lepidus divided the Roman territories were divided Empire between Octavian who presented himself as champion oldthem, but Anthony and Caesar's heir soon deftly side-fashioned Roman values and beliefs and Mark lined Lepidus. Anthony who seemed to be creating a personal domain assumed responsibility for himself and Cleopatra in the east. For the entire duration pacification of the Second Triumvirateeast, which had become restive after the Senate was subservient to civil wars. Anthony successfully reimposed Roman control over the demand Eastern section of, especially Octavianthe Roman Empire. The political arrangement A series of marriages sealed the relationship between Mark Anthony and Octavian . However, in truth, the two men were never really allies, and both knew that was made possible by there would be a day of reckoning. Still, the assassins who sought Second Triumvirate allowed Octavian and Mark Anthony to preserve rule the Republic, did much to undermine the old system of governance and politics<ref> Holland, p 298</ref>Roman Empire.

Octavian was the real power in Rome, and he observed the forms of the Republican system.<ref>Holland, Tom, <i>Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic</i> (London, Anchor Books, 2003), p. 207 </ref> In the east, Mark Anthony began a relationship with the Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra IV. For a brief period, the Roman territories were divided between Octavian who presented himself as a champion of old-fashioned Roman values and beliefs and Mark Anthony who seemed to be creating a personal domain for himself and Cleopatra in the east. For the entire duration of the Second Triumvirate, the Senate was subservient to Octavian and Anthony. The political arrangement between Anthony and Octavian that was made possible by the assassins who sought to preserve the Republic, did much to undermine the old system of governance and politics.<ref> Holland, p 298</ref> ==The Why did Rise of Octavian and the End of the Roman Republic? ==

Perhaps the most important result of the death of Caesar was the rise of his grand-nephew Octavian. He had not been particularly close to the great general and politician, but he was one of his last living male relatives. It seemed that the victor of so many battles saw something in the young man and Octavian was to prove his grand-uncle right. The death of Caesar cleared the way for the rise of Octavian and he was to prove to be one of the most calculating and brilliant politicians in the entire Roman era.<ref> Goldsworthy, Adrian. <i>Augustus: First Emperor of Rome </i> (Yale, Yale University Press, 2010), p. 213 </ref>

The young Octavian was able to manipulate the situation to make himself master of the Roman world. For example, he goaded Mark Anthony into a war and he defeated him at the Battle of Actium. This was to make him master of the entire Roman world. Octavian learned from the assassination of Caesar and he did not make the same mistakes as the legendary leader. He was very respectful to the Senators and observed all the procedures. This was to placate the sensibilities of the Roman aristocracy. Octavian made sure that he did not goad the senators’, but he also controlled them.<ref> Suetonius, Life of Augustus, cvii</ref> Caesar's heir slowly concentrated power into his own hands and created an Imperial system under the guise of a Republican system. He safeguarded his position by sharing power with the Senators and the rest of the Roman aristocracy. Many welcomed the stability that he offered, and he governed the Empire wisely.

However, he was also slowly undermining the Empire. OctavianCaesar's pre-eminence was confirmed when he was granted the title Augustus. Such was his hold on heir slowly concentrated power that he was able to pass on his position to into his designated heir own hands and established the first Roman created an Imperial dynasty. For this, Augustus is regarded as the first Roman Emperor and system under the founder guise of an Imperial a Republican system. The assassins of Caesar simply paved He safeguarded his position by sharing power with the way for Senators and the rise rest of the man who was to quietly dismantle Roman aristocracy. Many welcomed the Republicstability that he offered and he governed the Empire wisely.<ref> Osgood, p. 452</ref>

====Conclusion====The death of Caesar at the hands of aristocratic Romans had far-reaching consequences. It resulted in two civil wars and the rise of Mark Antony and Octavian and a civil war. The adherents of the Caesarean party sided with Ocatavian Octavian and Mark Anthony. The liberators and their Senatorial allies did not want to replace Caesar with Octavian and Anthony. The Liberators were smashed at the Battle of Philippi and the Roman Republic would never return. The defeat at Philippi was effectively the end of the military power of those who sympathized with the old Republican system. Caesar's death allowed Mark Anthony and Octavian to partition the Empire between them.

While the empire was split between Anthony and Octavian, Octavian became the center of power in the Roman Empire. He learned much from the death of his grand-uncle was an effective ruler and did not repeat his Casaer's mistakes. He created an imperial system while observing the outward form of the Republican system. As a result, he faced little opposition, even though he ended the Republic and crowned himself Emperor. The Imperial system created by Octavian lasted until 476 AD.