How Caesar was liquidated, or What really happened on the ides of March

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Ides of March, 44 BC. The most powerful dictator of ancient Rome, Julius Caesar, is late for a Senate meeting. When he arrives, the Senators surround him and stab him 23 times. Caesar's assassination has been told and retold for centuries, but the facts are wilder than legend. What Really Happened on the Ides of March? And why do we tell this story over and over? What are historians silent about when they describe the murder of this great man?

March 15 - this date was special in ancient Rome, these days were called the March Ides. The priests always knew that these were dangerous days, it was during this period that some disasters or popular unrest usually fell. This date became infamous for the assassination of Caesar - the greatest of rulers, dictator, outstanding commander and brilliant orator. The fatal symbolism of the Ides of March subsequently persecuted many of the world's rulers.

Gaius Julius Caesar belonged to the very ancient patrician family of the Julians. As one of hundreds of Roman aristocrats, he did not stand out in any way at first. He was interrupted by minor religious posts, fought in Asia Minor and Greece. The young man was well educated, had a brilliant mind and political instinct. During the civil war in Rome, between Sulla and Guy Marius, Caesar unmistakably sided with the former. The winner endlessly elevated Gaius Julius and gave him the highest religious position in the state - the Supreme Pontiff.

Caesar always emerged victorious from any life situations, political intrigues did not concern him. After a successful Spanish war with the barbarians, Guy entered the First Triumvirate. Together with the leading generals of the time: Pompey Wrath and Mark Licinius, Caesar began to rule the growing Roman Empire. She grew thanks to the brilliantly conducted military campaigns of Caesar. He entered into a conspiracy with Licinius and defeated Gnaeus Pompey, crushing his territory for himself. Later, Caesar got rid of Licinius, concentrating all power in his hands.

In ancient Rome, Caesar became a real star: his comrades-in-arms respected him, the people loved, the warriors simply idolized! Caesar was the first Roman ruler whose face adorned coins. "Bread and circuses" among the people during the reign of Caesar was simply over the edge. Many would consider the Roman emperor cruel, but he cannot be denied justice. For example, when the Egyptians, at Caesar's request to give him Gnaeus Pompey, sent the head of the latter, the emperor burst into tears - he respected Pompey and did not want his death. Then he ordered the execution of his opponent's executioners.

Another very interesting story is described by historical documents. For several years, Roman legionnaires fought without respite. They really wanted to go home, and Caesar decided to conquer Africa. The soldiers raised a riot, they did not obey the commanders, the situation in the military camp became not only dangerous, but critical. And then Caesar himself appeared. He asked what the legionnaires wanted. They started chanting that they wanted to resign and go home. Absolutely calm, the emperor said: "So get your resignation, citizens." Caesar just turned around and walked away. The shocked warriors, battle-hardened men, several thousand in number … wept. From a terrible resentment. Caesar called them "citizens." Not "warriors", not "comrades-in-arms." In his eyes, they became just citizens. A delegation was immediately sent, where the soldiers asked for forgiveness and assured Caesar of their loyalty, if only he would continue to consider them comrades in arms. The emperor graciously accepted the apology, and the military campaign was successfully continued.

Someone would consider this a manipulation, but the most important thing in Caesar is that people followed him for this absolutely not. He just knew how to really feel. Caesar always treated people with respect, without a hint of contempt, unlike so many rulers. He was an incredibly eloquent speaker, charismatic leader. A sense of humor was no stranger to the emperor, too. When the standard bearer of his army fled from the battlefield in fear, Gaius Julius grabbed him by the shoulders, turned him around and showed him where he was running from, said: "The enemy is there!" These words instantly flew around all the soldiers and affected them like a tub of cold water. The goal has been achieved - the morale of the soldiers has been raised, and the victory has been achieved.

The Julian calendar that we use is also the brainchild of Caesar. July also bears the name of the emperor - the Senate flattered him, since the dictator's birthday was this month.

Caesar had many enemies and envious people. Companions have repeatedly advised him to hire a guard, but Caesar was adamant about this issue. “Better to die once than constantly expect death” - his words.

According to many sources, including the historian Plutarch, the prophet warned about the danger of Caesar's death. Shakespeare described this very colorfully in his play "Julius Caesar", making the catch phrase "Beware of the March idols!" The proud emperor ignored the warning and was meanly killed by the conspirators right at a meeting of the Senate.

The fact is that a republican system existed in Rome from the 4th century BC. The last king, Tarquinius, was expelled and democracy reigned in the state. But with the expansion of boundaries, this form of government became impossible. The Roman state became too huge. The people cannot rule the empire that Rome has become. Caesar was destined to become the first leader to bury the republic. He had the power of the emperor, but in fact he was not. The empire that Gaius Julius Caesar created lasted for almost 400 years.

The senators' attempt to revive the republic cost Gai Yuli his life. Several dozen senators were involved in the conspiracy. The conspirators even convinced Junius Brutus to participate. Caesar treated Junius with great tenderness and care, like a son. Some take the liberty of claiming that Junius was Caesar's illegitimate son from a woman whom Caesar loved very much - Servilia. The historian Plutarch wrote about this.

This is precisely what explains the circumstances of Caesar's death. When he entered the Senate, the conspirators sat around his chair. Lucius Tillius Kimver signaled to them by pulling the toga off the emperor. The senators involved in the conspiracy took out their swords and began to inflict blows on Caesar. Kaska hit first. Caesar was not frightened, he grabbed the sword hilt, was ready to grab it and strike back. Kaska yelled for help. The others attacked the emperor. They were terrified and stampeded, hurting each other more than the hated dictator. What stopped the unyielding tyrant at the moment when he, an experienced warrior, could either die in an unequal battle, or even avoid death?

Gaius Julius's gaze caught the awkward movement of Junius Brutus, who was drawing out his sword. Caesar changed in his face and with the words: "And you, child?", - threw a toga over his head and stopped all resistance. The ruler of Rome was inflicted 23 stab wounds, only one of them turned out to be fatal for him - the betrayal of a man whom he considered a son, whom he took care of, took care of and loved. Caesar did not die immediately, after a while.

The Republican conspirators did not get what they so desperately wanted with his death. The people were angry, the soldiers too, the senators who were against, united around Caesar's great-nephew, Guy Octavian. He took his name, received most of his inheritance, and became the first emperor. To fight the conspirators, the Second Triumvirate was created, which included Mark Antony and Lepidus. They dealt with everyone who participated in the assassination of Caesar. Along the way, interrupting his personal rivals and enemies. Even those who managed to escape, all subsequently perished.

Caesar was a great man, a legendary ruler, an entire era. His influence and authority have had a huge impact on so many rulers and politicians. Many want to be like him, but Caesar is one of a kind. From the name of Gaius Iulius Caesar, the words "kaiser" and "king" were formed. The emperor's apt expressions live to this day, becoming winged. We have all used them ourselves more than once. “The die is thrown”, “Rubicon passed”, “Caesar's wife must be above suspicion”, “Came, saw, conquered” (Veni, vidi, vici) and many others.

Shakespeare wrote well about the death of Caesar, saying it through the lips of Mark Antony: “O justice! You are in the bosom of an animal, people have lost their minds. Sorry; for Caesar the heart went into the grave. Let me wait for it to come back."

Read about one of the co-rulers of the era of Caesar, the great Cleopatra, in our article how Queen Cleopatra became the wife of two of her brothers at once; and other extraordinary facts about the ruler of Egypt.