The Obituaries
By Christa Villari
Julius Caesar 100BC- March 15 44 BC
Julius Caesar, husband of Calphurnia and possibly the greatest ruler Rome has seen, was assassinated on the Ides of March. We cannot say this was a huge surprise to us, as a soothsayer had cautioned Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March” (Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 2, Line 20). Calphurnia allegedly begged Caesar to stay home on that very day fearing that something terrible would happen, but Decius persuaded Caesar otherwise. The great leader was later stabbed to his death by a group of conspirators, of which only 16 have been identified. The leaders of this conspiracy are known to be Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius.
The general of the Roman Republic led Rome to many victories such as defeating Pompey, and governing Gaul. So why would anyone kill such a great man? The conspirators and many others claim that Caesar was getting too occupied with power, and that his death was for the better of Rome. Marcus Brutus later stated “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (Act 3 Scene 2 Line 20).
Nevertheless, we will miss such a brave and strong ruler and honor Caesar eternally.
Caius Cassius- died 42 BC
Caius Cassius, one of the main conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar, killed himself during the battle of Philippi. Sources say that he’d sent his friend Titanius to bargain with the opposing army, but while Titanius was gone, Cassius began to worry that he’d failed this task. Ironically, he killed himself with the same sword the conspirator had used to stab Julius Caesar two years earlier. His alleged last words were “Caesar, thou art revenged/ Even with the sword that killed thee.” ( Act 5 Scene 3 Line 50)
Cassius did not believe in fate, but believed that everyone has the power to control their own destiny. He stood fast by his beliefs, even to his method of death, and for his conviction, he will never be forgotten.
Marcus Brutus- died 42 BC
Marcus Brutus, husband of Portia, committed suicide during the battle of Philippi. Brutus was an honest man, but conspired against his friend Julius Caesar for the better of Rome. He truly cared for the Roman Republic as well as his wife and friends. Honor was important to Brutus as well. Apparently during the planning of the conspiracy, he told the other conspirators that he wanted Caesar to be “a dish fit for the Gods” (Act 2 Scene 1 Line 180). This attribute made him a very cherished Roman to The Republic. Even his enemies, Mark Antony and Octavius claim that “[Brutus] was the noblest Roman of them all.” (Act 5 Scene 5 Line 74) . Brutus will be forever remembered and honored in the eyes of all Romans.