Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator

When Caesar returns to Rome after three years fighting a civil war against Pompey, the city is in dire straits. Caesar is made dictator for 10 years, and sets about implementing a program of reforms. He fixes Rome’s grain supply; he repairs Rome’s crumbling infrastructure, and has the Senate rebuilt. He also amends the Roman calendar – giving us the same calendar we use today.

As Caesar takes control of Rome and consolidates his grip over the Republic, his ambition turns to tyranny. A handful of senators plot to end his rule in the only way they can: by taking his life. But will it be enough to save the Republic?

Caesar has been made Dictator for Ten Years. Those Senators who want to further their careers need to win favor. When a group of Senators approach Caesar to offer him yet more honors, he doesn’t behave as he should. Senators should stand to greet each other, as a show of mutual respect – but Caesar remains seated. It is symbolic of his increasing disregard for the conventions of Roman Republic.

As Caesar steadily draws ever more power to himself, his position utterly undermines the founding principle of the Roman Republic - that power must be shared. As he makes plans to leave Rome and conquer Parthia, he resolves to tighten his hold on power absolutely – and is declared "dictator for life." It is the point of no return. And it seals his fate.

Rome is in crisis – violent gangs rule the streets, and a senator called Clodius appears to be running the show. When his body is discovered, his wife Fulvia carries it to the Forum for an impromptu funeral. As the pyre burns, it sets the Senate house on fire – the most potent symbol of the Roman Republic is left in smouldering ruins.

The Senate – under the Consulship of Pompey – debates whether to recall Caesar from Gaul, exposing him to the threat of prosecution for his behavior as Consul. Caesar’s response is to demand Pompey relinquish his own command. Rome’s two most powerful generals are locked in a dangerous game of brinkmanship... and everyone fears where it might lead.

Caesar engineered an alliance with Rome’s two most powerful men, Pompey and Crassus. This "triumvirate" won Caesar the consulship, and his chance to conquer Gaul. But now their grip on Rome is faltering, and Caesar calls the two men to an urgent meeting in the north of Italy. He needs to retrench the alliance, to ensure he can continue his conquest of Gaul.

Events beyond Caesar’s control threaten to unravel his plans, and leave him isolated. Pushed into a corner, he makes a decision that will change the course of the Republic – and western history – forever.

Julius Caesar is a middle-ranking Senator in the Roman Republic. Most countries of the time are ruled by Kings, but Rome prides itself on being governed on republican principles. Caesar, ambitious to progress his career, is determined to secure himself the most powerful position in the Senate: that of Consul.

Rome has been rocked by the exposure of a plot to violently overthrow the Senate. The conspirators have been captured, and the Senate must debate their fate. Caesar gambles everything on arguing for clemency.

Caesar is Pontifex Maximus, High Priest of Rome. After a series of political setbacks, his position offers him a chance to restore his reputation. His household must host a women-only ritual in honor of the Goddess Bona Dea who looks after the safety of Rome and its people. But when a man in drag infiltrates the ceremony, it is a sacrilegious violation which threatens to derail Caesar’s career.

The dramatic story of how nearly five centuries of ancient Roman democracy was overthrown in just 16 years… by one man. This is the story of a brazen, ambitious power-grab that saw Julius Caesar consolidate the vast power of Rome in his own hands.