What would you do if you believed your nation was veering towards tyranny? If you witnessed a single individual amassing excessive power, would you attempt to intervene, even if that person was a close friend? These were the profound questions that plagued Roman Senator Marcus Junius Brutus in 44 BCE, the year Julius Caesar was assassinated.
For Brutus, opposing unchecked power was not merely a political stance; it was deeply personal. He claimed lineage from Lucius Junius Brutus, who had played a pivotal role in overthrowing the tyrannical King Tarquin the Proud. Instead of seizing power, the elder Brutus led the Romans in a vow to never again allow a king to rule, establishing the Roman Republic on the principle that no single man should wield excessive power. Four and a half centuries later, this foundational principle was under threat.
Julius Caesar’s ascent to the powerful position of consul was nothing short of dramatic. Years of military triumphs had made him the wealthiest man in Rome. After defeating his rival, Pompey the Great, in a bitter civil war, Caesar’s power reached its zenith. His victories and initiatives, such as distributing land to the poor, endeared him to the public, and many senators sought his favor by bestowing honors upon him. Statues were erected, temples dedicated, and even a month was renamed in his honor, still known as July today.
More significantly, the title of dictator, intended to grant temporary emergency powers during wartime, was repeatedly conferred upon Caesar. In 44 BCE, he was named dictator perpetuo, or dictator for an indefinite term. This accumulation of power alarmed senators who feared a return to monarchy, as well as those whose ambitions were thwarted by Caesar’s dominance.
A group of conspirators, calling themselves the Liberators, began to secretly plot Caesar’s assassination. Leading them were Senator Gaius Cassius Longinus and his friend and brother-in-law, Brutus. Joining the conspiracy was not an easy decision for Brutus. Despite siding with Pompey in the civil war, Caesar had personally intervened to save his life, pardoning him and even elevating him to important positions. Brutus hesitated to betray the man who treated him like a son, but ultimately, Cassius’s persuasion and Brutus’s own fears of Caesar’s ambitions prevailed.
The conspirators seized their opportunity on March 15. During a senate meeting, as Caesar prepared to embark on another military campaign, approximately 60 conspirators surrounded him, drawing daggers from their togas and attacking him. According to legend, Caesar fought fiercely until he saw Brutus among his attackers. Although Shakespeare immortalized the phrase “Et tu, Brute?” Caesar’s actual dying words remain unknown. Some ancient sources claim he said nothing, while others suggest he uttered, “And you, child?” fueling speculation that Brutus might have been Caesar’s illegitimate son. Regardless, upon seeing Brutus, Caesar covered his face and succumbed, stabbed 23 times.
Brutus and the other conspirators underestimated Caesar’s popularity among the Roman populace, many of whom viewed him as an effective leader and the senate as a corrupt aristocracy. In the wake of Caesar’s assassination, Rome descended into chaos. Most senators fled, while the assassins barricaded themselves on Capitoline Hill. Mark Antony, Caesar’s ally and co-consul, quickly seized the moment, delivering a fervent speech at Caesar’s funeral that incited the crowd into a frenzy of grief and anger. Consequently, the Liberators were forced to flee Rome.
The ensuing power vacuum led to a series of civil wars, during which Brutus, facing inevitable defeat, took his own life. Ironically, the conspirators’ actions resulted in the opposite of their intentions: the end of the Republic and the concentration of power under the office of Emperor.
Opinions on Caesar’s assassination have been divided since the event and remain so to this day. Brutus himself has inspired a conflicted legacy. In Dante’s “Inferno,” he is placed in the center of Hell, eternally chewed by Satan for his betrayal. Conversely, Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” describes him as one of the most virtuous and benevolent individuals to have lived. The interpretation of Brutus as either a selfless fighter against dictatorship or an opportunistic traitor has shifted with historical and political tides.
Even today, over 2,000 years later, questions about the price of liberty, the conflict between personal loyalties and universal ideals, and unintended consequences remain as relevant as ever.
Form two groups and prepare for a debate. One group will argue that Brutus was a hero who acted to save the Roman Republic from tyranny. The other group will argue that Brutus was a traitor who betrayed his friend for personal gain. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments. Present your cases to the class and engage in a structured debate.
In small groups, create a short play that reenacts the events leading up to and including the assassination of Julius Caesar. Assign roles such as Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, and other conspirators. Focus on the motivations and emotions of each character. Perform your play for the class, and discuss how the reenactment helped you understand the historical context and the characters’ decisions.
Write a series of letters from the perspective of Brutus to a close friend or family member. In these letters, explain his internal conflict, his reasons for joining the conspiracy, and his thoughts after the assassination. Use historical details from the article to make your letters authentic. Share your letters with the class and discuss how this activity helped you empathize with Brutus’s dilemma.
Research another historical figure who faced a similar dilemma of power and loyalty, such as George Washington or Nelson Mandela. Compare and contrast their situations with that of Brutus. Create a presentation that highlights the similarities and differences in their decisions and the outcomes. Present your findings to the class and discuss the broader implications of these historical choices.
Create a visual representation of the Roman Republic before and after Caesar’s assassination. Use drawings, paintings, or digital art to depict key events, figures, and changes in power. Include captions or a short essay explaining your artwork and how it reflects the historical narrative. Display your artwork in the classroom and discuss how visualizing history can enhance understanding.
Brutus – Brutus was a Roman senator and one of the leaders in the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar, known for his moral integrity and philosophical beliefs. – Brutus believed that by killing Caesar, he was saving the Roman Republic from tyranny.
Caesar – Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman whose actions led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. – The assassination of Caesar on the Ides of March marked a pivotal moment in Roman history.
Power – Power refers to the ability or capacity to influence the behavior of others or the course of events, often seen in political contexts. – The struggle for power among the Roman leaders ultimately led to civil war and the end of the Republic.
Assassination – Assassination is the deliberate killing of a prominent person, often for political reasons. – The assassination of Julius Caesar was a turning point that changed the course of Roman history.
Republic – A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a “public matter,” and is not the private concern or property of the rulers. – The Roman Republic was characterized by a system of checks and balances among different branches of government.
Tyranny – Tyranny is a form of government in which a single ruler holds absolute power, often exercised in a cruel or oppressive manner. – Many Romans feared that Caesar’s rise to power would lead to tyranny, prompting the conspirators to act.
Conspirators – Conspirators are individuals who plot together to commit an unlawful act, often in a political context. – The conspirators against Caesar believed they were acting in the best interest of the Republic.
Legacy – Legacy refers to something handed down by a predecessor, often in terms of achievements or cultural impact. – Caesar’s legacy includes not only his military conquests but also the profound changes he brought to Roman governance.
Senate – The Senate was a political institution in ancient Rome, composed of elite members who advised the consuls and held significant power. – The Senate played a crucial role in the events leading up to Caesar’s assassination.
Civil – Civil relates to the rights and duties of citizens, often in the context of law and governance. – The civil strife that followed Caesar’s assassination led to a series of conflicts that ultimately ended the Roman Republic.
