Exercise #1 RI 6.3 Analyzing Key Ideas in a Text

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What's in a Name?
by Ethan Ostroske

Caesar.  Kaiser.  Kaicap. Tsar.  All of these names and terms used by different cultures through history have symbolized one meaning.  Someone who rules with absolute power.  A king.  An emperor.  One of the most famous names from history is the name Caesar.  But where did it come from, and what made it a name instantly recognizable today?  The name Caesar was originally what was known as a "cognomen", meaning a third name or nickname for Romans that was attached at the end of their first and last names.  It is believed that the word "caesar" was a cognomen that meant either "hairy" or more likely, "fine head of hair".  And one person, who lived roughly 2,100 years, turned a nickname into the word that would signify rulers with absolute power down through the ages.

Gaius Julius "Caesar" was a Roman nobleman who grew up in the poorer area of Rome, called the Subura.  His father, also named Gaius Julius, died when Caesar was very young, so he was raised by his mother Aurelia.  Though Caesar was of noble birth, his family was not wealthy.  For instance, his mother owned and lived in an apartment building in the Subura, where the common and poorer people of Rome lived.  The Subura was a poorer area of Rome, where people from many different backgrounds lived and worked.  It could be dangerous at night, with thieves prowling the neighborhood looking for easy victims.  But young Gaius Julius "Caesar" was different.  To begin with, he was brilliant, and it was said that he could easily remember the names of hundreds of neighbors and shopkeepers in the Subura.  He was well liked by all, with an easy smile and a kind word for people who were not socially equal of his noble birth.  The people of the Subura were very fond of Caesar.  His popularity with the regular people of Rome would be of great value to him politically when he became an adult.

Caesar, as he came to be called (very few called him Gaius, his real first name) began pursuing a politcal and military career as he entered adulthood.  Allying himself with two very powerful individuals in Rome, Crassus and Pompey, Caesar secured for himself an important military command in the Roman province of Gaul (modern day France).  For roughly ten years Caesar forged a nearly unbeatable army that became renowned and feared throughout the world.  The name Caesar began to take on much more significance than simply meaning "a fine head of hair".  It began to reach legendary status, as Caesar himself wrote home about his brilliant military deeds in Gaul and his courageous army overcoming incredible odds in battle.  Over the ten years, the legend of Caesar grew.  Wrote one of his soldiers, a centurion named Titus Pullo, "We were hopelessly outnumbered.  The enemy was closing in from all directions, and our courage was lost.  Just as the Gauls were about to put an end to us, Caesar was there among us, rallying us, calling on our bravery, to fight for him, to fight for Rome.  No enemy could withstand him, and we found our spirit.  By nightfall, we were victorious, with the Gauls running for their very lives.  Caesar, and only Caesar, could have saved us."

Once Caesar had conquered Gaul, he faced a decision that would impact the history of most of the world for the next thousand years, and perhaps beyond.  The Roman Senate, very concerned with Caesar's growing power and popularity in Rome, demanded that Caesar disband his experienced army in Gaul and return to Rome to face charges of crimes they said he committed.  Caesar refused.  He crossed the Rubicon River, the sacred boundary of Rome, and brought his army to Rome's doorstep, beginning a civil war against those who sought to oppose him.  After years of fighting, he was once again victorious, and took full control of Rome. He filled Rome's Senate with friends and supporters, and had them elect him dicatator for life, ending elections of rulers in Rome and forever after.  Before his death, he adopted his nephew, Ocatavian, who took the name Augustus Caesar, making sure that everyone was reminded of his relationship to Caesar.  Augustus Caesar became Rome's first emperor, and began a line of emperors who would use the name "Caesar" to remind everyone of the power they wielded.

Every emperor after Augustus took the name "Caesar", and soon, the word "Caesar" came to mean "king" or "emperor".  The name "Caesar" was soon understood to mean someone who had absolute rule.  Thus, the actions of one man, Gaius Julius Caesar, gave meaning to a word that became associated with complete power and authority.   Gaius Julius "Caesar" certainly left his mark on history!

1

Caesar. Kaiser. Kaicap. Tsar. All of these names and terms used by different cultures through history have symbolized one meaning. Someone who rules with absolute power. A king. An emperor. One of the most famous names throughout history is the name Caesar. But where did it come from, and what made it a name instantly recognizable today? The name Caesar was originally what was known as a "cognomen", meaning a third name or nickname for Romans that was attached at the end of their first and last names. It is believed that the word "caesar" was a cognomen that meant either "hairy" or more likely, "fine head of hair". And one person, who lived roughly 2,100 years, turned a nickname into the word that would signify rulers with absolute power down through the ages.

How does the author introduce the idea of a nickname that became something much more significant?

1

Gaius Julius "Caesar" was a Roman nobleman who grew up in the poorer area of Rome, called the Subura. His father, also named Gaius Julius, died when Caesar was very young, so he was raised by his mother Aurelia. Though Caesar was of noble birth, his family was not wealthy. For instance, his mother owned and lived in an apartment building in the Subura, where the common and poorer people of Rome lived. The Subura was a poorer area of Rome, where people from many different backgrounds lived and worked. It could be dangerous at night, with thieves prowling the neighborhood looking for easy victims. But young Gaius Julius "Caesar" was different. To begin with, he was brilliant, and it was said that he could easily remember the names of hundreds of neighbors and shopkeepers in the Subura. He was well liked by all, with an easy smile and a kind word for people who were not socially equal of his noble birth. The people of the Subura were very fond of Caesar. His popularity with the regular people of Rome would be of great value to him politically when he became an adult.

Which sentence from the text best illustrates that Caesar's life was different from other wealthy Romans of noble birth?

Hint: Read the question carefully and focus on the key words!

1

Which sentence from the text develops the idea that Caesar used his military command in Gaul to begin building his fame and popularity in Rome?

1

Caesar, as he came to be called (very few called him Gaius, his real first name) began pursuing a politcal and military career as he entered adulthood. Allying himself with two very powerful individuals in Rome, Crassus and Pompey, Caesar secured for himself an important military command in the Roman province of Gaul (modern day France). For roughly ten years Caesar forged a nearly unbeatable army that became renowned and feared throughout the world. The name Caesar began to take on much more significance than simply meaning "a fine head of hair". It began to reach legendary status, as Caesar himself wrote home about his brilliant military deeds in Gaul and his courageous army overcoming incredible odds in battle. Over the ten years, the legend of Caesar grew. Wrote one of his soldiers, a centurion named Titus Pullo, "We were hopelessly outnumbered. The enemy was closing in from all directions, and our courage was lost. Just as the Gauls were about to put an end to us, Caesar was there among us, rallying us, calling on our bravery, to fight for him, to fight for Rome. No enemy could withstand him, and we found our spirit. By nightfall, we were victorious, with the Gauls running for their very lives. Caesar, and only Caesar, could have saved us."

Why does the author include the anecdote from the centurion soldier under Caesar's command?

1

The author believes that Julius Caesar was a brilliant person.

CITE (take the text WORD FOR WORD) two details from the text that support the author's opinion that Caesar was brilliant.

Take part of the question, turn it into part of the answer, and make sure to use quotation marks around what you have cited.

Make certain to use TRANSITIONS (For example, For instance, Furthermore, Additionally, In addition) to introduce the text you are citing.

You may use the frame below to help you.

Frame: The author clearly believes that Julius Caesar was brilliant. For example, the author writes, "blah, blah, blah, blah..." Additionally, the author states in the text , "blah, blah, blah, blah..."

1

Which of the following is a key event that demonstrated that the name "Caesar" was beginning to symbolize something greater than just a simple name?

1

Caesar. Kaiser. Kaicap. Tsar. All of these names and terms used by different cultures through history have symbolized one meaning. Someone who rules with absolute power. A king. An emperor. One of the most famous names from history is the name Caesar. But where did it come from, and what made it a name instantly recognizable today? The name Caesar was originally what was known as a "cognomen", meaning a third name or nickname for Romans that was attached at the end of their first and last names. It is believed that the word "caesar" was a cognomen that meant either "hairy" or more likely, "fine head of hair". And one person, who lived roughly 2,100 years, turned a nickname into the word that would signify rulers with absolute power down through the ages.

WHY does the author provide information about what a "cognomen" meant in the first paragraph?

1

Which sentence from the text develops the idea that Caesar used his military command in Gaul to begin building his fame and popularity in Rome?

Which of the following is a key event that demonstrated that the name "Caesar" was beginning to symbolize something greater than just a simple name?

Which sentence from the text BEST develops the idea that Caesar intended to become absolute ruler of Rome?