Hail Caesar spans three continents and seven centuries to tell the saga of the Roman Empire and the men who shaped it. Its army dominated the known world and its culture forms the heart of Western Civilization. At its peak, the Roman Empire extended from Persia to England, from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, and throughout its history, its fate rested in the hands of individuals-men of genius and courage, madness and ambition. Hail Caesar would be useful for classes on Western Civilization, the Classics, Ancient History, Ancient Culture, Geography, Political Science and Civics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Julius

Julius Caesar turned military victories into political power. His ambition created a colossal empire, and he gave his name to the rulers who succeeded him. He has been a symbol of power and majesty for 2,000 years. But to his countrymen, Caesar was an upstart, a gambler and a tyrant who destroyed the Roman Republic and paved the way for the rule of emperors.

• epilepsy
• exile
• exploit
• flippant
• indoctrinate
• lavish
• omnipotent
• patronage
• pestilence
• prestige
• shrewd
• succumb
• toga
• tyrant
• vanity
• volatile

1. After 2,000 years, the name Caesar still is symbolic. What does this name represent? What is the symbolic value of this name in Western Civilization?

2. Julius Caesar's status at his birth influenced his later life. What was the station of his family at his birth? How did his position enable him to reach the heights of power in his later life?

3. How was Julius Caesar trained for greatness from the time he was a young boy?

4. During Julius Caesar's lifetime, the Roman Empire was expanding its territories. How did this expansion cause political instability?

5. In ancient Rome, a leader needed great speaking skills to be successful. What was the role of oratory in ancient Rome? What is the role of oratory in today's world?

6. Julius Caesar's toga was streaked with purple. What was the symbolic value of the color purple? Why was it a status symbol?

7. How did Julius Caesar's marriages help his career?

8. Julius Caesar was a member of Rome's aristocracy, yet he chose to court the urban poor. Why did he try to garner the affection and loyalty of the urban poor? How did this help him in his quest for power?

9. Discuss the role of women in the Roman Empire. How were women used as tools to gain political power through marriage alliances? What does this say about the way women were viewed?

10. Why did the Senate make Julius Caesar dictator?

11. Why was Caesar murdered?

1. Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC. Draw a map of the Roman Empire at the time of his birth and compare the territories of the empire at Julius Caesar's birth and at Julius Caesar's death. Discuss his influence in the expansion of the empire.

2. Create an advertisement for a day of entertainment at the Roman Coliseum. Include naval battles, gladiator fights and other forms of Roman entertainment in your advertisement. Can you compare these ancient entertainment spectacles with entertainment spectacles today?