The result unforeseen by the assassins was that Caesar's death precipitated the end of the Roman Republic.[105] The Roman middle and lower classes, with whom Caesar was immensely popular and had been since before Gaul, became enraged that a small group of high-browed aristocrats had killed their champion. Antony, who had been drifting apart from Caesar, capitalised on the grief of the Roman mob and threatened to unleash them on the Optimates, perhaps with the intent of taking control of Rome himself. But, to his surprise and chagrin, Caesar had named his grandnephew Gaius Octavian his sole heir, bequeathing him the immensely potent Caesar name as well as making him one of the wealthiest citizens in the Republic.[106] Gaius Octavian became, for all intents and purposes, the son of the great Caesar, and consequently also inherited the loyalty of much of the Roman populace. When Caesar's funeral was held several days later in the Roman Forum, Antony did not give the speech that Shakespeare penned for him more than 1600 years later ("Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears..."), but he did give a dramatic eulogy that appealed to the common people, a reflection of public opinion following Caesar's murder. Further, it was announced to the public during the funeral oration that Caesar in his will had left his private gardens on the Tiber to the Roman public as well as 300 sesterces to every enrolled Roman citizen. (While 300 sesterces was not a fortune, such was the equivalent of three month's wages for the average Roman worker, a very nice gift.) These bequests, combined with Antony's funeral oration, only served to increase Caesar's posthumous stature among the populace, increasing the grief at his death as well as the rage against his assassins. The crowd at the funeral boiled over, throwing dry branches, furniture and even clothing on to Caesar's funeral pyre, causing the flames to spin out of control, seriously damaging the Forum. The mob then attacked the houses of Brutus and Cassius, where they were repelled only with considerable difficulty, ultimately providing the spark for the Liberators' civil war, fulfilling at least in part Antony's threat against the aristocrats.[107] However, Antony did not foresee the ultimate outcome of the next series of civil wars, particularly with regard to Caesar's adopted heir. Octavian, aged only 19 at the time of Caesar's death, proved to have considerable political skills, and while Antony dealt with Decimus Brutus in the first round of the new civil wars, Octavian consolidated his tenuous position.
Guillermo Santamaria on 02 Oct 09This is a breif description of Caesar's son.
Jihad Little on 02 Oct 09caesarion died at a young age. he was 17 when he died. he was caesars only real son and he didnt get anything caesar had when he died. all of caesars belongings went to his adobted nephew octavion
ashley hernandez on 03 Oct 09I think Caesarion wished he had all the goals his father had made in his lifetime.But Caesarion had destroyed that goal by murdering his family member.I don't agree of what Octavian has done to Caesar's only son and Cleopatra's, too. Why would Marc Anthony commit suicide?
ceferinne polanco on 04 Oct 09WOW ROME WAS A VERY WEIRD TIME LIKE REALLY KILLING PEOPLE NOT GO 2 JAIL KILLING FAMILY MEMBERS & COMITING SUICIDE MARC ANTHONY & GRASSUS
Perla Gonzalez on 21 Oct 09ptolemy was cleopatra's brother. he was mean to cleopatra. that is because when their father died he said to share the power. but he wanted it all for himself.
does anyone know what this means?
yea it means ptolemy xv philopator philometor caesar, caesarion
He was named Caesarion because that means little caesar. Cleopatra and Julius Caesar were his parents. They named him little caesar cince his father's name was Caesar and he was his son. Caesarion was supposed to be next heir of the throne after Caesar was declared dictator for life. He was the first to be dictator for life. Caesarion was the prince of Egypt since his mother was the queen. He is not the dictator of Rome. Because after Caesar was assasinated he did not have time to change his will. So now Octavian got everything even his name!
