As the year 44 B.C. dawned the Roman Republic was at the height of its power. Gaul, Greece, Spain, and even Egypt were under Rome's control. In February of that year the Senate bestowed the title of dictator for life on the man who had won Rome its victories, Gaius Julius Caesar. Immediately, a plot to assassinate Caesar was hatched.
The conspirators numbered more than sixty. Many had been Caesar's close and trusted friends, and their reasons for joining the plot were many. Some were personal, dealing with Caesar's treatment of them or members of their family. Others were ideological, as a perpetual dictatorship conflicted with every concept of the Republic. All were well aware that under Caesar's autocracy their opportunities for financial gain and political power would vanish, and the prestige of the Senate would be lost. Author and historian Major General J.F.C. Fuller, in his history Julius Caesar: Man, Soldier, and Tyrant, recounts the events surrounding the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, the Ides of March.
When it became known to them that Caesar was to leave Rome on March 18 they decided to strike on March 15 (the Ides of March) when the Senate was to meet Caesar in a hall which adjoined the theatre of Pompey.
On the night of March 14, accompanied by Decimus Brutus, Caesar supped with Lepidus, and as they sat over their wine, one of them — probably Lepidus — put the question: “What sort of death was the best?” To which Caesar replied: “That which is unexpected.”
On the following morning Calpurnia implored her husband to cancel the meeting of the Senate, because in a dream she had seen him streaming with blood. As the sacrifices proved unfavorable, Caesar sent for Antony and instructed him to dismiss the Senate.
Early on the Ides of March the conspirators posted a party of gladiators, provided by Decimus Brutus, in Pompey's theatre, in case their services should be needed; then they assembled in the adjoining hall to await Caesar. When, at the appointed hour he did not come, they grew anxious, and sent Decimus Brutus to fetch him. Brutus, “his devoted friend,” urged him to come and succeeded in persuading him to change his mind.
Caesar entered the hall, and because Antony was a powerful and courageous man who might give trouble, Trebonius engaged him in conversation at its entrance. When Caesar had seated himself on his gilded chair, Tillius Cimber came forward and petitioned him for the recall of his brother, who had been banished. When Caesar rejected his appeal, Cimber seized hold of his purple robe, and pulled it away to expose his neck. It was the signal for the attack.
Casca, who was close to Caesar, aimed a blow with his dagger at his throat, but missed it. Cimber then seized Caesar's hand; nevertheless, Caesar sprang from his chair and threw Casca to the ground. The other assassins then closed on him. Cassius wounded him in the face, and when Brutus struck him in the thigh, Caesar cried out in Greek: “You too, my child?” He then fell dead at the foot of Pompey's statue. In all he received twenty-three wounds.
(This article is reprinted with permission from National Review Online.)
