JULIUS CAESAR

Julius Caesar Assassination

Julius Caesar Assassination

Throughout recorded history, assassination using stealth and surprise has been a direct means to eliminate an opponent. When Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, along with others, plotted the death of Julius Caesar in March, 44 B.C.E., they carried out their killing as a political assassination in the Roman Senate. Any attempt to kill Caesar at other sites would have almost certainly caused their death at the hands of his loyal soldiers. Caesar never brought an armed escort with him to the Senate. (Morwood, 1994: 235)

The ideas revolving around the assassination of Julius Gaius Caesar seem to be rather prevalent for the most part. Many of the details and opinions are shared by Caesar enthusiasts worldwide, throughout time. The people, places, and times all seem to fall into place with each other. Even William Shakespeare's play, "Julius Caesar", tends to be based on historical facts, for the most part. I believe that most everybody sees this imperative event in enough of a similar light.

According to my information, Caesar's assassination was the demise of his hard work as a brilliant military leader and respected political figure. He was a very powerful man in Rome, and is known as the Last Dictator. He was most definitely a dictator, but the Romans loved him. As a whole, Rome had no problems with Caesar as a ruler. He apparently only refused the crown from Marcus Antonius in order to refute rumors that he only wanted the crown and the title that he truly anticipated.

Historical information that I've read concurs with Shakespeare's idea that Gaius Cassius convinced Caesar's good friend, Marcus Junius Brutus. In both the tragedy and historical records, Brutus appears to be a very good and trustworthy friend of Caesar. There is no evidence that Brutus would have any personal reason to turn against Caesar. It was even thought by a few people that Brutus was Caesar's son; that was how close the two seemed to be. (Parenti, 2003: 177) Also, Brutus and Cassius, according to history, had a little bit of altercation in their pasts. It appears a bit evident in the play, as well, when Cassius tries to approach Brutus at first about putting Caesar in a bad light. Brutus seems more reserved toward Cassius, as if he doesn't want to speak to him ("Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires. I'll leave you."). It is obvious in both cases that Cassius had bones to pick with Caesar. Cassius is well portrayed in the play, in terms of his candid grudge against Caesar. Plutarch (a historical writer) knew that Cassius was hostile toward Caesar personally and for anteceding him. (Meier, 1995: 154) Certain statements that Cassius made to Brutus and the rest of the conspirators badmouthing Caesar, especially in Act I, make it apparent that his dislike for Caesar was irremeable. Cassius had gathered with a few senators about his plot, and they all agreed that it would be best to recruit Brutus into the ...