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In case you missed my post yesterday reviewing Rubicon by Tom Holland, be sure that you note that tomorrow, March 15, is the ides of March, the day traditionally marked as the death of Julius Caesar, the very protagonist who finally pushed the Roman Republic over into its grave. JD Hull eulogizes him over at his blog, What About Clients?
Today is the Ides of March, death date of Gaius Julius Caesar (July 13, 100 BC-March 15, 44 BC), general, politician, schemer, explorer, writer, alpha male, womanizer, patrician and, as we begin to observe St. Patrick’s day, no friend of Gaelic peoples. Grandiose, flawed, and truly great, he made Rome an empire. Caesar conquered what is now France and Belgium–and got Rome more interested in taking on an assortment of Celtic tribes in Britain after his death.
Caesar had been warned by a prophetess, and also by Calpurnia, his wife, that his death would come during the Ides, or middle, of March. Sure enough, a conspiracy, some say led by Brutus, descendant of one of the founders of the Roman Republic, resulted in his death when members of the Senate encircled and stabbed him in the Forum. Upon seeing Brutus, who was rumored to be Caesar’s bastard son, Caesar muttered “Et tu, Brute?” He then pulled his toga over his face to avoid the humiliation of death, and soon expired.
Related articles
- Book Review: “Rubicon” by Tom Holland (lawafterthebar.wordpress.com)
- Oh, Calpurnia, If Only I Had Listened (5ptsalt.com)
- Ancient Rome History, Religion and Government (socyberty.com)
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