Unto Caesar, Caesar's...

Premasara Epasinghe

In the Roman Calendar, the Ideas of March falls on the 15th day of March. For the months of May, July and October, it's on the 13th day of the month. In the good old days Ides of Match was supposed to be a festive day in memory of God Mars. In the good old days, they usually hold a parade on this day.

In modern times, "Ides of March" is known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. Great Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times to death in the Roman senate by a group of conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brytus and Gaius Cassius Longinus.

Romans in their calendar consider March 15 as an inauspicious day. Even now, no auspicious event take place in Rome on 15th March. The number 13 is considered as an Evil Day as there were 13 present for the last supper of Jesus Christ. Some Englishmen and Australians believe, 111 and 87 as unlucky numbers respectively English cricketers consider 111 an unlucky number. Australian cricketers call 87 as Devils Number.

Caesar, was a powerful family name of ancient Rome. The most illustrious representative was Julius Caesar. The name Caesar became the title for the Roman Emperor in 27 BC, on the accession of Octavian, later Augustus, adopted son of Julius Caesar. The words Tsar and Kaiser were supposed to be derived from it.

Julius Caesar (102-44 BC) was a great military genius. He had a number of impressive conquests. He became the most powerful personality in the Roman world. Some were alarmed of a personal dictatorship. Many honours were heaped on him by his friend, Mark Antony (82-30 BC) or the brilliant orator who made Caesar's funeral speech. Marcus Anonius, Roman General and statesman. Mark Antony fought with distinction in Julius Caesar's campaign in Gaul (54-50 BC).

In 49 BC, Antony became a tribune. After the civil war broke out in Pompey and Caesar, after the battle of Pharsalus, Antony was made a consul. Mark Antony offered Julius Caesar the diadem - crown of kingship. With this a conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar was hatched secretly by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junus Brutus.

A Syrian philosopher and historian born in Damascus - Nicolaus, Throws light in one of his accounts about the assassination of Julius Caesar. He had arrived in Rome, he interviewed many eye-witnesses who saw the brutal assassination of Julius Caesar. Damascus' account was written a few years later and is believed to be reliable. He writers as an observer, the murder of Caesar as a "Crude and Mismanaged bid for power.

The Romans were very superstitious. Before the murder of Caesar, he killed a wild animal and opened it up, only to discover, to his horror, it had no heart. Further, there were other bad omens, around at the time of Caesar's assassination. There were seen strange, fiery creatures were fighting. The soothsayers predicted. Ides of March would bring with it dramatic changes.

Caesar (Gaius) Julius (100 - 44 BC) was a Roman general and a brilliant politician and statesman. He defeated rivals. After the death of Sulla, Caesar became military Tribune. He formed the first triumvirate in 60 BC with Pompey and Crassus. He erected a Patrician Plebian Alliance. He conquered Gaul for Rome. He defeated Pompey at Pharsalus in 48 BC, and pursued him to Egypt, where he made Cleopatra his queen. He had many victories. He returned to Rome in 45 BC.

Caesarean delivery of a baby is named after Julius Caesar, who is reputed to have been born this way. Julius Caesar the great, received many unprecedented honours and titles in his illustrious life, one was the Dictator for life. It was true, he introduced many fruitful a reforms. His growing power went against him. Ultimately Julius Caesar was assassinated by Cassius and Brutus.

His grand nephew Octavian later Arugustus with Mark Antony avenged his murder.

The coup 'd' et at was hatched secretly by the conspirators. Some suggested they should kill Caesar at the sacred way, which was one of his favourite walks. Some wanted to push him of the bridge, when he was crossing a bridge to appoint Magistrates. The third plan was to kill Julius Caesar when he comes to the gladiatorial show. But, the majority of the conspirators, favoured him to be killed, at the Senate house.

Julius Caesar's, third and the last wife Calpurnia Pisonis, had a terrible dream. She dreamt her husband Caesar mortally injured and streaming with blood. On the following day she advised her husband Julius Caesar, to postpone the senate meeting. But, Brutus convinced Caesar otherwise.

According to a blind seer or soothsayer had foreseen that Caesar would be harmed not later than the Ides of March. Caesar made a crack, at the "Soothsayer," "The Ides of March" has come". The blind seer said, "Aye, Caesar, but not gone". This was superbly, marvellously dramatised in William Shakespeare's Play Julius Caesar," when Caesar is warned by the seer to beware the Ides of March.

Before he entered the chamber, priest brought up the victims for him to make what was to be his last sacrifice. Brutus persuaded Caesar to enter the senate chamber. He took him by right hand and led him to the senate.

When Julius Caesar entered the senate, senators rose in respect for his position. The conspirators, plotters stood near Julius Caesar. Right next to him was Tillius Cimber whose brother had been exiled by Caesar. Cimber approached and grasped the mantle of his toga as if he is to request Caesar to pardon his brother. Caesar never suspected. He was taken unawares.

All the conspirators, quickly unsheathed their daggers and rushed at Julius Caesar first, Servilius Casca stuck him on the left shoulder, little above collar bone. Cassius made a slash at his face. Minucias also went into action. From behind, Marcus Junius Brutus, stabbed Julius Caesar. The great Roman Emperor could not believe his eyes as he was one of his close trusted associates. Julius Caesar, turning back, in pain, Uttered, "Ek Tu Brute "you too Brutus. This was the most unkindest cut of all in the history of the world".

The conspirators were men like waging a war against Julius Caesar started attacking mercilessly. Under the mass of wounds, the Emperor Julius Caesar fell, profusely bleeding at the foot of Pompey's statue. Everyone, wanted to seem to have had some part in the murder. There was not one of them who failed to strike his body as it lay there until wounded thirty five times and this great Emperor Julius Caesar breathed his last on March 15 - Ides of March.