Julius Caesar Important Events

The Romans celebrate Caesar

1 CE

The Romans were in the streets celebrating Caesar after his return from his victory over Pompey's sons. Flavius and Murellus soon come to get them back to work because it is a working day. When Caesar gets word of this he removes both of them from their positions of power. This is important because it shows that Caesar is growing in power.

The Soothsayer warns Caesar

2

During the Feast of Lupercal, Caesar is roaming the streets. From the crowd, a soothsayer calls out warning Caesar. He says, "Beware the Ides of March." However, Caesar brushes this off as the soothsayer being crazy. This is important because it foreshadows the exact day of Caesar's death. Had he only listened to the soothsayer, he may have lived.

Cassius asks Brutus to join the conspirators

3

Brutus is torn because he loves Caesar, but he doesn't want Caesar to be crowned king. Cassius try to convince him to be completely against Caesar being king. The importance is that without Cassius talking to Brutus, he wouldn't have joined the conspiracy. The conspirators wouldn't have been able to plot the murder without Brutus.

Brutus joins the conspiracy

4

After Cassius speaks with Brutus, Brutus ponders what Cassius told him. Late one night Cassius, alongside the rest of the conspirators, go to Brutus' house. Brutus agrees to go along with the plot, and they start planning. This is important because this is the moment when the murder becomes official. Without Brutus the conspirators couldn't have pulled this off.

Calphurnia foresees Caesar's death in a dream

5

Calphurnia wakes up many times during the night screaming that Caesar has been killed. She's been having a dream where Caesar gets murdered so she begs Caesar to stay home. This is important because it is the second warning Caesar gets about his death. Once again, however, he blows it off which maybe could've saved his life.

Julius Caesar is killed

6

Caesar meets in the Senate with the conspirators. The conspirators beg Caesar to lift Publius' ban from Rome. However, Caesar's ego won't allow him to say yes. When he was caught off guard, the conspirators stab him to death. This is important because it is the climax of the play. Caesar was the leader of Rome, and once he is murdered chaos will unfold, beginning the events that lead to the rest of the play.

Antony speaks with the conspirators

7

Antony meets back with the conspirators after Caesar is murdered after he promised he won't be killed by them. Cassius says they should've killed them, however. This is important because Brutus went against Cassius, but he was wrong. Had they killed Antony they would've survived and taken control of Rome. Instead they left him alive so he took control and hunted them down to avenge Caesar's spirit

Antony wins the crowd over

8

Antony has spoken with the conspirators. They allow him to speak at Caesar's funeral. Brutus talks to the crowd about why Caesar was murdered, and makes the crowd understand. Then he leaves and allows Antony to speak. Antony shows them the corpse of Caesar and reads his will. This is important because it turns Rome against the conspirators. Had Antony not spoken, Caesar wouldn't have been avenged, and the conspirators would live free from consequences.

Cinna the Poet is killed

9

After Antony moves the crowd, the crowd riots and searches for conspirators. They find a man named Cinna. This isn't the same Cinna as the conspirator that killed Caesar. This was an innocent bystander that was murdered. The importance of this is it shows how bloodthirsty the mob is. They were so moved by Antony's speech that they murdered conspirators and innocents alike.

The Second Triumvirate is formed

10

After Caesar is killed, there is no leader in Rome. Octavius and Antony both knew that this would lead to chaos. Together with a Roman general they become a new head power. The Second Triumvirate is created with Lepidus, Octavius, and Antony. This fails, however, because Antony doesn't trust Lepidus, and Antony is soon taken over by greed, leaving Octavius to assume the position of leader.

Brutus sees Caesar's ghost

11

After Cassius leaves, Brutus is in his tent and sees a ghostly appearance that is Caesar. The ghost tells him to go to Philippi immediately so Brutus sends word to Cassius. The importance in this event is that it shows that Caesar's spirit won't die. It must be avenged. It also shows that Brutus has regrets of killing Caesar.

Brutus and Cassius meet with Antony and Octavius.

12

Before the battle begins, Octavius and Antony meet with Brutus and Cassius arrive with their armies. They throw insults at each other. Then both sides ride away, ready to begin the battle. This is important because it was the last chance of a resolution without either side dying. However, neither side will give in so the battle commences.

Cassius commits suicide

13

Cassius knows the battle isn't going too well. He sees his tents full of people. He sends Titinius over to see if their alliance. Pindarus climbs upon a rock and misinterprets the results leading Cassius to think he just sent his friend to death. He is so overcome with guilt that he asks Pindarus to hold his sword, and he kills himself. This is important because this is where the battle starts going downhill. Had Pindarus not misinterpreted this maybe the battle would've turned out differently.

Brutus commits suicide

14

Cassius has already committed suicide, and Brutus has already declared he won't go back to Rome as a prisoner. Brutus asks his friends, but they all refuse. Strato finally agrees, and Brutus jumps at his sword. This is important because it resolves the conflict of the story. Both leaders on one side would've had to die for the other side to win. This ends the Battle of Philippi, and leads up to the closing event in the play.

Antony pays respect to Brutus

15

After Brutus kills himself, Antony and Octavius find his corpse. Antony calls him a noble Roman, and says he killed Caesar for the right reason. Octavius then says the last line of the play. This is important because Antony says he will give Brutus a proper burial which is the final resolution and the end of the book. The last lines also foreshadow that Octavius is growing in power.