Julius Caesar (100-44BC) was one of the greatest men produced by ancient Rome and he remains today a famous personality in world history (Barlow 2005). The conspirators were wrong to murder Julius Caesar in three ways. Firstly, they were morally wrong in the removal of Caesar. Secondly, they failed to consider a practical benefit to Rome in the murder of Caesar, resulting in only more problems. Lastly and most importantly, the conspirators were wrong to murder Julius Caesar because they placed their interests before those of Rome.
Julius Caesar had been accused to have wanted to be king and was disapproved as Cicero (Cicero Duties Ex. 3.83) expressed that a king `justifies the destruction of law and liberty'. Scullard (1988:151) sated that `since many of the conspirators were men who had served Caesar faithfully and could expect further support from him, it must be assumed that their motives were not mean or petty.' It appeared that the nobles and aristocrats in Senate set out to restore liberty as a duty to their state.
However, this does not justify the conspirators as they cannot be said to have had some greater altruistic cause in the interest of Rome other then that of preserving liberty, which in the end they failed to achieve. Awareness of their duty (to preserve liberty of the Republic) shielded them from their knowledge of Caesar the man, of his generosity and clemency (Meier 1996:482). Even supposing Caesar was reducing freedom among Romans, he was doing it in such a way that it brought about beneficial changes. Caesar had ended civil war in 45 BC. He also responded to the grievances of the provincial subjects, aided the poor, relocated thousands of veterans, reorganized town governments in Italy, reformed the co...
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...r to Cicero. Melbourne: Trinity College Foundation Studies.
Plutarch. Life of Julius Caesar. Melbourne: Trinity College Foundation Studies.
Appian. The Civil Wars. Melbourne: Trinity College Foundation Studies.
Cassius Dio. Roman History. Melbourne: Trinity College Foundation Studies.
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Meier, C. 1996. "Caesar." Trans. D. McLintock. London: Fontana Press.
Mommsen, T. 1877. "History of Rome." Trans. W.P. Dickson. London: Bently & Son. Vol. 4
Perry, M. Chase, M. Jacob, J.J. Jacob, M.C. & Von Laue, T.C. 2004. "Western Civilisation. Ideas, Politics & Society." (7th ed.). Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Scullard, H.H. 1988. "From the Gracchi to Nero" (5th ed.). London & New York: Routledge.
Syme, R. 1939. "The Roman Revolution." Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks, 1960.
T.J. Cornell, The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC), London and New York: Routledge, 1995
The book Julius Caesar is full of happiness, conspiracy, power, and betrayal. The people of Rome deeply loved julius Caesar and wished to make him their king. A group of senators however were not so fond of this idea and formed a conspiracy. The leader of this group was a man by the name of Cassius. In order to make sure that his scheme of killing Caesar would work and would look honorable he had to convince a senator by the name of Brutus to help. After being convinced that they had to kill Caesar to protect Rome from a tyrant Brutus joined the conspiracy and soon became the principal conspirator.On the day in which Caesar was to be crowned king he was on the way to the senate when he was stabbed by all the conspirators panic ensued and to convince Rome of their honorable intentions Brutus gave a funeral speech. Mark Antony, a very close friend of Caesar, gave his speech after Brutus had given his. Mark Antony’s speech is more persuasive to the Roman people because of his outstanding use of pathos, sarcasm, and logos.
Morey, William C. "Outlines of Roman History, Chapter 19." Forum Romanum. 1901. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. .
In The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, the leader Caesar is killed by a group of men who are close to him. He was killed because the group of men thought he was not fit to be the ruler of Rome. Brutus, a close friend of Caesar, was a part of the group. Even though Brutus betrayed Caesar, it shows he cares about others more than himself. This proves Brutus is a better leader for Rome and its people.
Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) was one of the most outstanding leaders in history. He was the first ruler of the Romano-Hellenic civilization and achieved his goals with great success throughout his life of 56 years. He was assassinated by the conspirators, who accused him for practicing tyranny. This essay will discuss whether it was right for the conspirators to murder Caesar and what its consequences were.
Brutus murdered Caesar with honorable purpose so that the Roman people would not “die all slaves”, but “live [as] freemen” (117). Caesar’s death was believed to be in the best interest of Rome and a necessary loss to the empire. Brutus did not seek glory or power, but stability for Rome (unlike most of the conspirators). The Tragic Hero makes an ethical decision, in which the repercussion of his choice was the bringing forth of his own downfall. Brutus did not seek glory and power because he was dissatisfied with his life — he sought to protect the place he loved. He already held a noble status, and was married to a “true and honorable wife” (71). He had no need to stir up the empire and his own personal life, but he felt obligated to protect the country and i...
Brutus murdered Caesar for the good of Rome. Although he killed Caesar, he did not do it for himself, but for the entire society of Rome. Mark Antony, an enemy to Brutus, also thought that he was a hero. “This was the noblest Roman of them all / All the conspirators save only he / Did that they did in envy of Caesar / He only in a general honest thought” (V.v.74-77). Antony is saying that all the other conspirators killed Caesar because they despised Caesar. He was able to declare the truth regarding Brutus. Brutus, actuality loved Caesar, so he could not have done it for himself. Caesar and Brutus were extraordinary friends that would do what was best for each other. “Et, tu, Brute – then fall Caesar” (III.i.85). Caesar says this in astonishment of Brutus stabbing...
Alvin B. Kernan. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009. Print.
1. Tim Cornell, John Matthews, Atlas of the Roman World, Facts On File Inc, 1982. (pg.216)
Brutus was one of many Romans with noble bloodlines. Although Brutus was noble, he never used it to get ahead. There are many times when Brutus could have used the fact that he is truly noble but he didn’t. Many people argue that a noble man wouldn’t have killed Caesar. In some ways that is true, but Brutus’ case was different. A noble man would only for the good of others and that is what Brutus did. He killed Caesar because 7he was afraid of how powerful he could become. Even then he had a hard time doing it, and that is what separates Brutus from the other conspirators. Every other conspirator had little or no reason to kill Caesar. Brutus was willing to do anything for Rome. During his speech about Caesar’s murder Brutus stated “I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death” (III.ii.45-46). This shows how Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more” (III.ii.20-22). He was too passionate about his country to let Caesar turn it into a dictatorship. Mark Antony and Octavius recognized that Brutus was the one noble roman. In his final speech mark Antony said “This was the noblest roman of them all. / All the conspirators save only he/ Did that they did i...
In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Julius Caesar, the character of Marcus Brutus is tasked with making a difficult choice: either kill one of his most beloved friends, or risk the corruption and downfall of Rome. Though Brutus acknowledges the ethical and moral concerns of his actions, he commits to the conspiracy against Caesar, and carries it out with conviction. The question, however, is whether or not Brutus’ actions are justifiable from an objective point of view. Unlike most other political assassinations, Brutus isn’t a hysterical stranger distraught with the target, but a close ally, and trusted friend. Brutus justifies his own doings by convincing himself and others that they’re sacrificing, not murder Caesar, and acting not out of greed or personal gain, but to prevent what he truly believes to be a legitimate and potent threat to the Republic in Julius Caesar’s rising power; however, while this may be a coping mechanism to quash his own culpability, there are numerous feasibly supportive reasons that make Caesar’s death defensible. The primary reason for the necessity of Caesar’s death is the very real possibility that he would become corrupt once his power is no longer suppressible by the senate. This is Brutus’ main concern, as he seeks to ensure the freedom and safety of the Roman people, as well as the integrity of the Republic. Additionally, the combination of Caesar’s ego and ever-growing aspirations are threatening to Rome, as the socio-political foundation on which it has flourished would be disassembled. Ever since the genesis of the first Roman Triumvirate, Caesar’s lust for power rampaged forth, ultimately leading to the disempowerment of the senate and his own rise to power via military imposition.
3)Gwynn, David M. The Roman Republic: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2012. Print.
...they backed Caesar (such as Brutus). Ultimately Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times, his opponents wanted him dead, and in fact stabbed many of their co-conspirators in the fight . They were not honorable at all in killing him.
Many readers are quick to point to Caesar as the villain. However, they fail to recognize how Caesar truly believed he was the only one truly worthy of ruling Rome. Caesar really shows this belief in the following quote: “And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; Yet in the number I do know but one/That unassailable holds on his rank, Unshaked of motion; and that I am he. . .” (Shakespeare, 2003, p. 823). He is explaining how other men are unpredictable, but he is unwavering in his decisions and beliefs. As mentioned before, regardless of their motives and reputations, the conspirators committed murder. They never tried to express their concerns and reason with Caesar before they made this impulsive, irrational decision. In short, despite
Julius Caesar was the dictator of Rome in his prime. Some say his journey to the top was paved in corruption, other claimed he was a man of the people. His enemies knew to fear him for his ruthlessness. His followers adored him because everything that he had succeeded in was done for them. Unfortunately, his betrayal transpired by his senators who felt he had grown too powerful and stabbed him to death. However, Julius Caesar’s connection to the political world, his innate ability as an army general, and his desire to advocate for the rights of his people made him a great leader.