gods" (World Book Encyclopedia). Caesar refused the title every time because he knew that the second he did, the people would turn against him. Caesar also knew that the conspirators were behind these offers and was not about to play right into their hands. In both Shakespeare's and Blooms works, Mark Antony was the one who offered the crown to Caesar. He did not do it to harm Caesar but out of respect for Caesar. The Number of conspirators is the same in both historical works. Both say that at least sixty men were involved in the conspiracy, most of them senate members. Shakespeare's work says that only about eight men were part of the conspiracy, probably to cut down on the number of actors for the play. While there are many differences in the time before Caesar's death, there are just as many similarities.
All three sources agree that Caesar fought and killed Pompey. Some of the senators were alarmed at this because Pompey was Roman and they questioned Caesar's honor. Upon Caesar's return from battle, many celebrations were held. In Henretta's account, a series of "triumphs" or extravagant celebrations were held in Caesar's honor, one for each of his triumphs. In Shakespeare's account, a large celebration was held in Rome in Caesar's honor (Henretta No. 4). The motive for killing Caesar is similar in all three accounts. The conspirators were afraid that Caesar was "ambitious," that he wanted to become king. The conspirators feared a monarchy because they did not want an heir to gain the throne; they wanted to maintain a republic where leaders were voted into office. Many of the conspirators did not trust Caesar, "Yet, Caesar still provoked in many deep resentment and distrust" (Scarre 178-181). Because Caesar was a leader of the people, the conspirators, who were of the aristocratic class, "hoped to regain control of the government" (Crystalinks: Online). All of the sources also agree on when Caesar was killed.
