Heading: Cold Case Rome Report Filed On

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Heading: Cold Case Rome Report Filed On:

Part One Directions:

On March 15, 44 B.C. Gaius Julius Caesar died of multiple stab wounds to the chest. There were many witnesses to the attack but a few concrete details could be worked out. We know there were many senators involved in the attack, but all fled the scene. The exact motivation and number of attackers is still unknown.

Did Julius Caesar know that he was going to be assassinated? Was there a single killer or were dozens of men involved? What were the reasons for the assassination?

You will answer these and other questions as we look back at one of history’s greatest crimes. Using evidence gathered from the crime scene, testimony of those involved, and later historical writing, we will explain a 2,000 year old murder.

Ultimately, you need to draw the following conclusions:

· Why was Caesar assassinated?

· What evidence is there that Caesar knew the assassination was going to happen and why do you think Caesar ignored this information?

There are three options to consider:

· The senators assassinated Caesar due to jealousy of his fame.

· The senators assassinated Caesar because they thought he was destroying Rome by making himself emperor.

· Caesar allowed the assassination to happen because he wanted to die a memorable and heroic death.

The case remains unsolved.

Examine each exhibit and take notes concerning the evidence. Every member of the group should complete this report.

Part Two Directions:

After reviewing the evidence, write an indictment as a group. Determine if the senators did the right thing by assassinating Caesar.

Part One: Examine the Evidence

Exhibit A: Ancient Newspaper Article

1. Which group loved Caesar?

2. What two reasons did they love him?

3. Why might this upset the senators?

Exhibit B: Coins

1. What do the coins say?

2. Why are the sayings important?

Exhibit C. Graffiti on the tomb

1. What is carved on the tomb?

2. Why are the carvings significant?

Exhibit D: The Twelve Caesars by Plutarch

1. What did Caesar do that insulted the senators?

2. What excuse did Caesar give?

3. What does Plutarch say about the excuse?

Exhibit E: Autopsy report

1. What does the autopsy tell us about the number and skill of the attackers?

2. How many attackers do you think there were? Why?

Exhibit F: Statement by Caesar’s Bodyguard

1. Why does Tyrannus think Caesar fired him?

2. What did Tyrannus hear from the other guard?

Exhibit G: Cassius’s Transcript

1. Why does Cassius believe Caesar is no better than him?

2. Does Cassius seem angry enough to murder Caesar? Why or why not?

Exhibit H: Various Warnings

1. Do these warnings seem believable to you? Why or why not?

2. If you had received the same warnings, what would you do?

Exhibit I: Testimony of Senator Gistinius

1. What does Senator Gistinius reveal about Caesar?

2. Why is his testimony important?

Exhibit J: Testimony of Augustus Caesar

1. What does Augustus Caesar reveal about Caesar?

2. Why is his testimony important?

Exhibit K: Testimony of a Roman citizen before the assassination

1. What does the Roman citizen reveal about Caesar?

2. Why is his testimony important?

Exhibit L: Testimony of Luciano Garafano, Investigator

1. What does Investigator Garafano reveal about Caesar’s death?

2. What does Investigator Garafano reveal about Brutus?

3. Why is his testimony important?

Exhibit M: Roman Army Law, Julius Caesar Crosses the Rubicon, and Maps

1. What does Exhibit M reveal about Caesar?

2. Why is this exhibit important?

Exhibit N: Dr. Burzstajn Interview and Site

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCp530h1b0c

Site: http://www.forensic-psych.com/articles/artTAP1103.php

1. According to the interview, what does Dr. Burzstajn think about the note in Caesar’s hand?

2. According to the Web site, what other information does Dr. Burzstajn reveal?

3. Why does Dr. Burzstajn think Caesar may have wanted to die in the way he did?

Group Members’ Names: ______

Part Two: The Indictment

The Grand Jury charges that:

Defendant ______

(Write who you believe committed the crime.)

is responsible for the crime of ______.

We offer the following evidence:

(Which exhibits prove your argument? What do you they show?)

Exhibit ______shows