Final answer:
While there are no direct claims from Horatio about events in Rome prior to Caesar's death, significant historical events include Caesar's indefinite dictatorship, his manipulative political appointments, and his elevation to dictator for life, all of which contributed to an environment ripe for his eventual assassination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Horatio does not directly mention events in Rome just prior to Caesar's death in any primary sources or in Shakespeare's play. However, when we consider the historical context around Julius Caesar's death, key events can be inferred based on Roman historical accounts. First, Caesar had himself declared dictator indefinitely, which caused unrest and fear among many Romans. There was a deep and long-standing distrust of autocratic rulers after periods of earlier overbearing rule, such as that of the Etruscans. This unprecedented indefinite dictatorship was alarming. Second, Caesar sought to solidify his control by offering former enemies positions in the senate, a move that was self-serving and added to the perception of him overreaching his power. Finally, in a more direct prelude to his death, Caesar was named dictator for life in 44 BCE, just before his assassination—a clear sign of his accumulation of power and an omen of what was to come.