Difference between revisions of "Why was Julius Caesar assassinated"

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19th-century painting of the conspirators celebrating the death of Caesar

Julius Caesar was at the pinnacle of his power when he was killed by an organized group of Roman senators who sought to preserve the Roman Republic and end his reign. Caesar had become one of the best-known and prominent figures of the ancient world at this point in his life. He had taken control of Rome not just through his military might but with charisma and political savvy. During his reign, Caesar greatly expanded the Roman Republic, and his conquests changed Europe's future. But he also was quickly dissolving the Roman Republic and creating what would become the Imperial system. However, Caesar's actions to marginalize the Republic and seize sole control of Rome angered many Romans, including men he not only knew but considered friends. On the Ides of March, Caesar was stabbed to death by these men who wanted to preserve the Roman Republic.

Why was Caesar murdered at the hands of his fellow citizens? Caesar was killed for three reasons: First, the conspirators wanted to halt his power growth. Second, they tried to prevent him from becoming king and destroying the Roman Republic. Finally, some were motivated by basic human emotions - personal vengeance. The assassination of Julius Caesar ultimately started a civil war that ended with the destruction of the Roman republic.

Who was Julius Caesar?

Caesar was born to a patrician Roman family who had once been very influential in the Republic. However, by the time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had declined, and they were no longer particularly prominent.^[1] We know little about Caesar's childhood, but Rome was unstable during his teenage years. Additionally, the death of his father left him somewhat unprotected.

A bloody civil war between Marius and Sulla forced Caesar to pick sides. Caesar sided with Marius, but when the war shifted in favor of Sulla, Caesar was forced to flee Rome and join the army to avoid execution. Caesar quickly rose through the ranks of the military and distinguished himself. Upon the death of Sulla, he returned to Rome and became one of the leaders of the popular party in Rome.

He was a charismatic leader and became one of the best-known figures on the Roman political scene. Caesar entered into an informal political arrangement with Crassus and Pompey, known as the First Triumvirate. This agreement allowed the three men to secure their political goals and become, in essence, the de-facto government of the Republic.^[2] Under this arrangement, Caesar was able to secure election as consul and to become the commander of several Roman legions. Caesar lead these legions into Gaul to pacify this region. At the time, Gaul covered most of France and Belgium. Caesar then embarked on a ten-year campaign to gradually conquered this region. He then used his legions to raid the people in Germany and Britain.

After the death of Crassus, the First Triumvirate broke down. The Senate and Pompey saw an opportunity to oust Caesar from power and threatened him with criminal prosecution.^[3] In response, Caesar advanced on Rome to secure his political position and started a civil war between himself and the Roman senate. Pompey the Great defended Rome alongside the Senate. Caesar defeated his enemies at Pharsalus (Greece), but this did not end the war. Mark Anthony ruled in Caesar’s name in Rome and Italy. The conflict continued to rage over the Mediterranean for several years.

Caesar emerged victoriously and by 44 BC after his decisive victory at the Battle of Mutina. By this time, Caesar was the most powerful man in Rome. He had been elected by the Senate as dictator initially for five years, but later for life. This meant that, along with the army under his control, he was granted extraordinary powers. It seemed that his position was beyond challenge, but this situation changed on the Ides of March 44 BCE.

Where was Caesar killed?

A bust of Brutus

By March 44 BCE, members of the Roman elite conspired to remove Caesar from power. The members of the conspiracy were all prominent Romans who knew Caesar.^[4] The sources on the assassination and the conspiracy could be best described as imperfect. None of the sources are contemporary, and they often contradict each other.

However, many of the facts of the assassination have been established with a great deal of certainty. The guiding spirit behind the conspiracy was Cassius, a leading Roman senator. The members of the plot called themselves the liberators. They sought to liberate Rome from Caesar's rule. The plot involved luring Caesar to Pompey’s theatre, where gladiatorial games were held in his honor. Caesar was notoriously reckless when it came to his security. He refused bodyguards, and he declared that to live surrounded by guards was not a life he wanted. Caesar had only a few personal attendants who escorted him everywhere.

On the Ides of March (the 15th of March), the gladiatorial games were staged. Caesar was expected to come, and he was the guest of honor. On the day, he was late, which alarmed the conspirators. The nominal leader of the conspirators, Brutus, agreed to bring Caesar to the theatre. Brutus and Caesar were well acquainted. Caesar and Brutus's mother were alleged to have been lovers. Brutus had also fought against Caesar at Pharsalus, but Caesar had pardoned him. Despite this long history, Brutus agreed to lure Caesar to the theatre to help their plan to place. Brutus ultimately convinced Caesar to attend the games.

How did Caesar Die?

As soon as Caesar entered the theatre, one of the conspirators approached him. The conspirator pretended to hand a petition to Caesar. At this time, not only did Caesar not have any guards, but his servants had also fallen behind him. The group had also successfully delayed Mark Anthony, one of Caesar's staunchest allies. This delay prevented Anthony from being by Caesar's side. Caesar was left alone and virtually defenseless.

According to the Greek historian Plutarch, one of the conspirators, possibly Casca, seized the toga of Caesar. Caesar was surprised and shocked by his action. The group of conspirators then drew knives from their togas and proceeded to stab Caesar repeatedly. It is estimated that up to fifty men, all Roman senate members, attacked him. Not all of them could get near the man they hated and who they believed was a threat to Rome.

It was later revealed that Caesar had been stabbed over thirty times and died from blood loss. While historical sources somewhat dispute it, some sources claimed that Caesar's last words were ‘Et Tu Bruti,’ meaning you too Brutus. Brutus's betrayal would have been especially shocking because Caesar viewed Brutus almost as a son.^[5] Several of the sources also state that Caesar died at the foot of a statue of his hated rival and enemy - Pompey.

Why was Caesar Killed by Roman Senators?

coins celebrating Brutus and Casca, two of the leading assassins

Why did the conspirators want to kill Caesar? One of the most commonly cited reasons for the assassination was the fact they believed that Caesar wanted to be the king of Rome. Many ordinary Romans did not have a monarchy, and Caesar was popular with this class. However, the idea of a monarch was one that was unacceptable to the Roman aristocracy. They believed monarchs were a threat to ‘liberty’ and were ultimately tyrants. They believed that if Caesar became king, they would lose their freedom to participate in public life and protect their property.^[6]

For members of the Roman elite, they felt that Dignitas (personal dignity and status) was impossible without liberty. Caesar's actions made it clear to them that he wanted to retain his power, unlike Rome's previous dictators permanently. Their suspicions were of Caesar's motives were compounded by the public demonstrations outside of the Senate house by Roman citizens that demanded Caesar declare himself king.^[7] This unnerved and persuaded many Roman nobles to join the conspiracy.

Who killed Caesar?

Many of those who took part in Caesar's assassination was formerly ardent supporters of Pompey and had fought with him at Pharsalus.^[8] However, the fear of the emperor was so powerful that overwhelmed than gratitude or even personal affection for Caesar. Cassius, the prime mover of the conspiracy, presented the assassination of the victor of Pharsalus as tyrannicide, the killing of a tyrant. This persuaded many, including Brutus, to join the plot as they saw it as their duty as Romans. However, the evidence that Caesar wanted a return to the monarchy is scanty and inconclusive. Whatever his intentions, it is clear that the conspirators believed that he was determined to rule as king.^[9]

Why were Roman Senators angry with Caesar?

While Caesar's apparent pretensions angered many of the conspirators, others were angered over his apparent lack of respect for Roman senators. Several conspirators were linked to senators, and the plotters believed that they were acting in the Senate's name. Senators were technically the lawmakers and the ultimate source of authority in the Republic.^[10] However, Caesar treated that body in a high-handed manner and often with contempt. He did not act respectfully towards the Senate, and this alienated many of them.

Many senators saw his dismissive behavior as an affront and believed this was a thinly veiled attempt to marginalize the Senate. They saw his actions as an overt attempt to subvert the traditional form of government. Moreover, during the civil wars when Mark Anthony had governed Italy, the Senate was cowed into submission. Many senators yearned to return to the days when it was the main decision-making body in the Republic.

Moreover, many senators who had conferred honorific titles and powers on the general were shocked when he used these largely symbolic powers to cement his position in Rome.^[11] The senators believed that the conqueror of Gaul was engaged in illegally gathering more personal power at the expense of the traditional elite and was subverting the constitution. The strained relationship between Caesar and the Senate was one factor that persuaded many that Caesar had to be assassinated.^[12].

Were Roman Senators motivated by vengeance against Caesar?

Caesar was an incredibly divisive figure in Rome. Still, most Romans genuinely loved him but despised he was by the City's elite. The senatorial class and their adherents were very suspicious and hated Caesar. He was a member of the popular party and related by marriage to Marius, the common people's darling. Moreover, many hated Caesar for personal reasons, and vengeance was almost certainly a factor in the Ides of March's assassination. ^[13]

He had killed many of the senatorial order and the Roman elite during the civil wars. Friends and family members of the elite had died on many battlefields against Caesar during the civil war. Many prominent and revered Romans, such as Cato, had committed suicide to escape having to live in a Rome dominated by one man. Moreover, Caesar's policy of clemency did not reconcile the elite to him and his regime. Those whom he had pardoned after his victories continued to resent him and were instrumental in his assassination. Mercy was a characteristic of a king or a tyrant. Those who accepted it were thought to have been dishonored.^[14] Furthermore, in the social system of the time, Senators had become dependent on Caesar. Ultimately Cassius and Brutus, while pardoned by Caesar, were eager to wipe away the stain on their honor that they only lived due to the mercy of a despised autocratic ruler.

Conclusion

The assassination of Caesar was carried out by a small group of members of the elite. They believed that they were acting in the best interests of the Republic and sought to preserve it. The group who killed Caesar was motivated to prevent Caesar from becoming a permanent dictator. They genuinely believed that he wanted to crown himself king of Rome. Caesar’s poor relations with the Senate was also a crucial factor in the unfolding of the conspiracy. His actions appeared that he was bent on destroying the old constitution and fed into the narrative that he was a tyrant who wanted to ultimately re-establish royal rule in Rome. Moreover, Caesar was a divisive figure and was hated by many of Pompey's supporters. Instead of healing Rome, his clemency policy failed to win him adherents and became an embarrassment for the pardoned.

Additional Readings

Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002).
Canfora, Luciano, Julius Caesar: The People's Dictator (Edinburg, Edinburgh University Press, 2006).
Jiménez, Ramon L., Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War (New York, Praeger, 2006).
Goldsworthy, Adrian, Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale University Press, 2008)
Freeman, Philip. Julius Caesar. (Simon and Schuster, 2008)
Grant, Michael. The Twelve Caesars (New York: Penguin Books, 1979)
Osgood, Josiah. Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006)
Holland, Tom. Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Press, 2003)
Goodman, Rob. Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato: Mortal Enemy of Caesar (St. Martin's Griffen, 2014)

References

↑ Freeman, Philip. Julius Caesar. (Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16
↑ Goldsworthy, Anthony. Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006), p. 61
↑ Goldsworthy, p. 141
↑ Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002), p 218
↑ Plutarch, Life of Julius Caesar, xxv
↑ Goldworthy, p 134
↑ Suetonius, Life of Julius Caesar xxxi
↑ Jiménez, Ramon L. Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War (New York, Praeger, 2006), p. 117
↑ Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Books, 2003), p 189
↑ Holland, p. 197
↑ Holland, p. 199
↑ Plutarch xxi
↑ Holland, p 201
↑ Holland, p 210

Related DailyHistory.org Articles

[1] Freeman, Philip. Julius Caesar. (Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16

[2] Goldsworthy, Anthony. Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006), p. 61

[3] Goldsworthy, p. 141

[4] Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002), p 218

[5] Plutarch, Life of Julius Caesar, xxv

[6] Goldworthy, p 134

[7] Suetonius, Life of Julius Caesar xxxi

[8] Jiménez, Ramon L. Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War (New York, Praeger, 2006), p. 117

[9] Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Books, 2003), p 189

[10] Holland, p. 197

[11] Holland, p. 199

[12] Plutarch xxi

[13] Holland, p 201

[14] Holland, p 210

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-[[File: Ass 1.jpg|300px|thumb|left|19th century painting of the conspirators celebrating the death of Caesar]]
+[[File: Ass 1.jpg|250px|thumb|left| 19th-century painting of the conspirators celebrating the death of Caesar]]
-Julius Caesar was one of the greatest figures of the ancient world. He was not only an extraordinary military commander but a cunning political leader. Caesar greatly expanded the Roman Empire and his conquests changed the future of Europe. Caesar played a pivotal role in the collapse of the Roman Republic and the emergence of the Imperial system. Caesar upended the Roman world. However, Caesar's actions angered many Romans that included men he not only knew but considered friends. On the Ides of March, Caesar was assassinated by many of these men.
+Julius Caesar was at the pinnacle of his power when he was killed by an organized group of Roman senators who sought to preserve the Roman Republic and end his reign. Caesar had become one of the best-known and prominent figures of the ancient world at this point in his life. He had taken control of Rome not just through his military might but with charisma and political savvy. During his reign, Caesar greatly expanded the Roman Republic, and his conquests changed Europe's future. But he also was quickly dissolving the Roman Republic and creating what would become the Imperial system. However, Caesar's actions to marginalize the Republic and seize sole control of Rome angered many Romans, including men he not only knew but considered friends. On the Ides of March, Caesar was stabbed to death by these men who wanted to preserve the Roman Republic.
-Why was Caesar murdered by the hands of his fellow citizens? Caesar was murdered for three reasons: First, the conspirators wanted to halt the growth in his personal power. Second, they wanted to prevent him from becoming king and destroying the Roman Republic. Finally, some  were motivated by personal vengeance.
+Why was Caesar murdered at the hands of his fellow citizens? Caesar was killed for three reasons: First, the conspirators wanted to halt his power growth. Second, they tried to prevent him from becoming king and destroying the Roman Republic. Finally, some were motivated by basic human emotions - personal vengeance. The assassination of Julius Caesar ultimately started a civil war that ended with the destruction of the Roman republic.
-====Background====
+==Who was Julius Caesar?==
-Caesar was born to a patrician Roman family who had once been very influential in the Republic. However, by the time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had declined and they were no longer particularly prominent.<ref> Freeman, Philip. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]. Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16</ref> We know little about Caesar's childhood, but during his teenage years Rome was unstable. Additionally, the death of his father left him somewhat unprotected.
+Caesar was born to a patrician Roman family who had once been very influential in the Republic. However, by the time of Caesar’s birth, their fortunes had declined, and they were no longer particularly prominent.<ref> Freeman, Philip. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]. (Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 16</ref> We know little about Caesar's childhood, but Rome was unstable during his teenage years. Additionally, the death of his father left him somewhat unprotected.
-A bloody civil war between Marius and Sulla forced Caesar to pick sides. Caesar sided with Marius, but when the war shifted in favor of Sulla, Caesar was forced to flee Rome and join the army to avoid execution. Caesar quickly rose through
+A bloody civil war between Marius and Sulla forced Caesar to pick sides. Caesar sided with Marius, but when the war shifted in favor of Sulla, Caesar was forced to flee Rome and join the army to avoid execution. Caesar quickly rose through the ranks of the military and distinguished himself. Upon the death of Sulla, he returned to Rome and became one of the leaders of the popular party in Rome.
-After narrowly escaping execution under Sulla he fled Rome and served in the army. Upon the death of Sulla, he returned to Rome and became one of the leader of the popular party in Rome. A charismatic figure he became one of the best-known figures on the political scene. Caesar was able to enter into an informal political arrangement with Crassus and Pompey, known as the First Triumvirate. This was an agreement that allowed the three men to secure their political goals and to become the de-facto government of the Republic<ref> Goldsworthy, Anthony. Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006), p. 61</ref>. Under this arrangement Caesar was able to secure election as consul and to become the commander of several legions. An inveterate gambler Caesar used a Germanic incursion into Gaul to intervene in that region. At the time Gaul covered most France and Belgium. Caesar in a ten-year campaign conquered this region and raided Germany and Britain. After the death of Crassus, the First Triumvirate broke down, at the same time the Senate threatened Caesar with prosecution<ref>Goldsworthy, p. 141</ref>. Caesar advanced on Rome, to secure his position and this led to a civil war between him and the Roman senate, whose army was commanded by Pompey the Great. Caesar defeated his enemies at Pharsalus (Greece), but this did not end the war. Mark Anthony ruled in Caesar’s name in Rome and Italy.  The conflict continued to rage over the Mediterranean for several years. Caesar emerged victorious and by 44 BC after his decisive victory at the Battle of Mutina. By this time Caesar was the most powerful man in Rome. He had been elected by the Senate as dictator initially for five years, but later for life.  This meant that along with the army under his control, he was granted extraordinary powers. His position it seemed was beyond challenge, but this was all to change on the Ides of March 44 BCE.
-====The Assassination of Julius Caesar====
+He was a charismatic leader and became one of the best-known figures on the Roman political scene. Caesar entered into an informal political arrangement with Crassus and Pompey, known as the First Triumvirate. This agreement allowed the three men to secure their political goals and become, in essence, the de-facto government of the Republic.<ref> Goldsworthy, Anthony. <i>Caesar: Life of a Colossus</i> (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006), p. 61</ref> Under this arrangement, Caesar was able to secure election as consul and to become the commander of several Roman legions. Caesar lead these legions into  Gaul to pacify this region. At the time, Gaul covered most of France and Belgium. Caesar then embarked on a ten-year campaign to gradually conquered this region. He then used his legions to raid the people in Germany and Britain.
-By March 44 BCE, it appears that there was an extensive conspiracy aimed at the removal of Caesar from power. The members of the conspiracy were all prominent Romans who were known to the great general<ref> Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002), p 218</ref>.  The sources on the assassination and the conspiracy are not contemporary and there are some contradictions in them. However, many of the facts of the assassination can be established with a great deal of certainty. The guiding spirit behind the conspiracy is believed to be Cassius, a leading Roman senator. The members of the plot called themselves the liberators, meaning the liberators. The plot involved luring Caesar to Pompey’s theatre where gladiatorial games were to be held in his honour. The Roman leader was notoriously reckless when it came to his personal security. He refused bodyguards and he declared that to live surrounded by guards was not a life he wanted. Caesar had only a few personal attendants who escorted him everywhere. On the Ides of March (the 15th of March) the gladiatorial games were staged. Caesar was expected to come, and he was the guest of honour. Typically, he was late, and this alarmed the conspirators. Then nominal leader of the conspirators was Brutus, who was well known to Caesar. It is alleged that the great Roman had been the lover of Brutus’ mother. Brutus had fought against Caesar at Pharsalus but had been pardoned. Despite this Brutus, agreed to lure Caesar to the theatre to ensure that the plan could be put in motion. He was successful, and he managed to persuade the, de-facto ruler of Rome to attend. As Caesar was entering the theatre where the games were to be held, one of the conspirators approached the leader. He pretended to hand a petition to Caesar. It appears that he was alone as he had left some servants behind in a rush to get to the theatre. More significantly the group had delayed Mark Anthony and he was not accompanying Caesar. This meant that Caesar was alone and virtually defenceless. One of the conspirators possible Casca according to the Greek historian Plutarch seized the toga of Caesar. This shocked him, because as he was dictator his person was sacrosanct. The group of conspirators then drew knives from their toga and proceeded to stab Caesar. It is estimated that up to fifty men, all members of the Roman senatorial order attacked him. Not all of them were able to get near the man they hated and who they believed was a threat to Rome. It was later revealed that Caesar had been stabbed over thirty times and that he died from blood loss. It is reported that his last words were ‘Et Tus Bruti’, meaning you too Brutus. It appears that he regarded Brutus as a kind of son<ref>Plutarch, Life of Julius Caesar, xxv </ref>. This is not stated in all of the sources. Several of the sources state that the great general died at the foot of a statue of his great enemy Pompey.
+After the death of Crassus, the First Triumvirate broke down. The Senate and Pompey saw an opportunity to oust Caesar from power and threatened him with criminal prosecution.<ref>Goldsworthy, p. 141</ref> In response, Caesar advanced on Rome to secure his political position and started a civil war between himself and the Roman senate. Pompey the Great defended Rome alongside the Senate. Caesar defeated his enemies at Pharsalus (Greece), but this did not end the war. Mark Anthony ruled in Caesar’s name in Rome and Italy.  The conflict continued to rage over the Mediterranean for several years.
+Caesar emerged victoriously and by 44 BC after his decisive victory at the Battle of Mutina. By this time, Caesar was the most powerful man in Rome. He had been elected by the Senate as dictator initially for five years, but later for life.  This meant that, along with the army under his control, he was granted extraordinary powers. It seemed that his position was beyond challenge, but this situation changed on the Ides of March 44 BCE.
+{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}
+==Where was Caesar killed?==
 [[File: Ass 2.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A bust of Brutus]]
+By March 44 BCE, members of the Roman elite conspired to remove Caesar from power. The members of the conspiracy were all prominent Romans who knew Caesar.<ref>Syme, Ronald, <i>The Roman Revolution</i> (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002), p 218</ref>  The sources on the assassination and the conspiracy could be best described as imperfect. None of the sources are contemporary, and they often contradict each other.
+However, many of the facts of the assassination have been established with a great deal of certainty. The guiding spirit behind the conspiracy was Cassius, a leading Roman senator. The members of the plot called themselves the liberators. They sought to liberate Rome from Caesar's rule.  The plot involved luring Caesar to Pompey’s theatre, where gladiatorial games were held in his honor. Caesar was notoriously reckless when it came to his security. He refused bodyguards, and he declared that to live surrounded by guards was not a life he wanted. Caesar had only a few personal attendants who escorted him everywhere.
+On the Ides of March (the 15th of March), the gladiatorial games were staged. Caesar was expected to come, and he was the guest of honor. On the day, he was late, which alarmed the conspirators. The nominal leader of the conspirators, Brutus, agreed to bring Caesar to the theatre. Brutus and Caesar were well acquainted. Caesar and Brutus's mother were alleged to have been lovers. Brutus had also fought against Caesar at Pharsalus, but Caesar had pardoned him. Despite this long history, Brutus agreed to lure Caesar to the theatre to help their plan to place. Brutus ultimately convinced Caesar to attend the games.
+==How did Caesar Die?==
+As soon as Caesar entered the theatre, one of the conspirators approached him. The conspirator pretended to hand a petition to Caesar. At this time, not only did Caesar not have any guards, but his servants had also fallen behind him. The group had also successfully delayed Mark Anthony, one of Caesar's staunchest allies. This delay prevented Anthony from being by Caesar's side. Caesar was left alone and virtually defenseless.
+According to the Greek historian Plutarch, one of the conspirators, possibly Casca, seized the toga of Caesar. Caesar was surprised and shocked by his action. The group of conspirators then drew knives from their togas and proceeded to stab Caesar repeatedly. It is estimated that up to fifty men, all Roman senate members, attacked him. Not all of them could get near the man they hated and who they believed was a threat to Rome.
-====Caesar wanted to be king====
+It was later revealed that Caesar had been stabbed over thirty times and died from blood loss. While historical sources somewhat dispute it, some sources claimed that Caesar's last words were ‘Et Tu Bruti,’ meaning you too Brutus. Brutus's betrayal would have been especially shocking because Caesar viewed Brutus almost as a son.<ref>Plutarch, <i>Life of Julius Caesar</i>, xxv </ref> Several of the sources also state that Caesar died at the foot of a statue of his hated rival and enemy - Pompey.
-One of the most often cited reasons for the assassination of Caesar was the fact that it was widely believed that he wanted to be king. Many ordinary Romans did not have any problem with a monarchy and Caesar was popular with this class. However, the idea of a monarch was one that was unacceptable to Roman aristocrats. They had been educated in the Republican version of history. They were taught that monarchs were a threat to what they prized most of all ‘liberty’ and that they were tyrants. This was the freedom to take part in public life and protect their property<ref>.Goldworthy,, p 134</ref> For members of the Roman elite, dignitas, or personal dignity and status and this was not possible without liberty. The actions of Caesar would have indicated to them that he was aspiring to be made monarch of Rome. Their suspicions that he would make himself king and end the Republic was apparently confirmed by the public demonstrations outside of the Senate house that seemed to demand that Caesar declare himself king<ref>Suetonius, Life of Julius Caesar xxxi</ref>.  This unnerved many and persuaded many Roman nobles to join the conspiracy. Many of those who took part in the slaying of the dictator for life were ardent supporters of Pompey and had fought at Pharsalus<ref> Jiménez, Ramon L. Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War (New York, Praeger, 2006), p. 117</ref>. However, the dread of monarchy was so ingrained in the minds of the Roman elite that it was more powerful than gratitude and even personal feelings. Cassius the prime mover of the conspiracy was able to present the assassination of the victor of Pharsalus as tyrannicide, the killing of a tyrant.  This persuaded many including Brutus to join the plot as they saw it as their duty as Romans. However, the evidence that Caesar actually wanted a return to monarchy is scanty and not conclusive. Whatever his intentions it is clear that the conspirators believed that he was determined to rule as king<ref> Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London,  Anchor Books, 2003), p 189</ref>.
-[[File: Ass 3.jpg|200px|thumb|left|coins celebrating Brutus and Casca, two of the leading asssassins]]
-====Breakdown in relations with the Senate====
+== Why was Caesar Killed by Roman Senators? ==
-While many of the conspirators were angered by the apparent pretensions of Caesar to royalty. There were many who were angered over his apparent lack of respect that he was showing the senators.  Several of the conspirators were linked to senators and the plotters believed that they were acting in the name of the senate. These were technically the law givers and the ultimate source of authority in the Republic<ref>Holland, p. 197</ref>. However, Caesar treated that body in high-handed manner and often with contempt. He did not act in a respectful manner towards the senate and this alienated many and they say this as an effort to marginalize the body and to subvert the traditional form of government. Moreover, during the civil wars when Mark Anthony had governed Italy the senate had been cowed into submission and many yearned for a return to the days when it was the main decision-making body in the Republic. Moreover, many senators who had conferred honorific titles and powers on the general were shocked when he used this largely symbolic powers to cement his position in Rome<ref>Holland, p. 199</ref>. The senators believed that the conqueror of Gaul was engaged in illegally gathering more personal power at the expense of the traditional elite and was subverting the constitution. The strained relationship between Caesar and the senate was one of the factors that persuaded many that the most powerful man in the Republic had to be assassinated. For example, it led many such as Cassius to see him as a tyrant who wanted to overturn the old order and end the traditional liberties<ref>Plutarch xxi</ref>.
+[[File: Ass 3.jpg|200px|thumb|left|coins celebrating Brutus and Casca, two of the leading assassins]]
+Why did the conspirators want to kill Caesar? One of the most commonly cited reasons for the assassination was the fact they believed that Caesar wanted to be the king of Rome. Many ordinary Romans did not have a monarchy, and Caesar was popular with this class. However, the idea of a monarch was one that was unacceptable to the Roman aristocracy. They believed monarchs were a threat to ‘liberty’ and were ultimately tyrants. They believed that if Caesar became king, they would lose their freedom to participate in public life and protect their property.<ref>Goldworthy, p 134</ref>
-====Vengeance====
+For members of the Roman elite, they felt that Dignitas (personal dignity and status) was impossible without liberty. Caesar's actions made it clear to them that he wanted to retain his power, unlike Rome's previous dictators permanently. Their suspicions were of Caesar's motives were compounded by the public demonstrations outside of the Senate house by Roman citizens that demanded Caesar declare himself king.<ref>Suetonius, <i>Life of Julius Caesar</i> xxxi</ref>  This unnerved and persuaded many Roman nobles to join the conspiracy.
-Caesar was a divisive figure and he was loved by the common people and hated by the elite. The senatorial class and their adherents were very suspicious of him and hated Caesar.  He was a member of the popular part and related by marriage to Marius, the darling of the common people. Moreover, many hated Caesar for personal reasons and vengeance was almost certainly a factor in the assassination on the Ides of March <ref> Holland, p 201</ref>.  He had killed many of the senatorial order and the Roman elite died during the civil wars. Friends and family members of the elite had died on many battlefields during the civil war. Many prominent and revered Romans such as Cato had committed suicide to escape having to live in a Rome dominated by one man. Moreover, Caesars policy of clemency did not reconcile the elite to him and his regime. Those whom he had pardoned after his victories continued to resent him and were instrumental in his assassination. Mercy was a characteristic of a king or a tyrant and those who accepted it were thought to be dishonoured<ref>Holland, p 210</ref>. Furthermore, in the social system of the time they had become the dependents.  Individuals such as Cassius and Brutus, all pardoned by the general may have been eager to wipe away the stain on their honour, because of being granted mercy by the hated tyrant.
-==Conclusion==
-The assassination of Caesar was carried out by a small group of members of the elite. They believed that they were acting in the best interests of the Republic and acting to preserve it. The group who killed the conqueror of the Gaul’s and Pompey were motivated by a desire to prevent Caesar from becoming a monarch. They genuinely believed that he wanted to have himself crowned king, something that would have threatened all they respected and valued in life. Caesar’s poor relations with the Senate was also a crucial factor in the unfolding of the conspiracy. His actions appeared that he was bent on destroying the old constitution and that fed into the view that he was a tyrant who wanted to ultimately re-establish royal rule in Rome. Moreover, Caesar was a divisive figure and was hated by many and his policy of clemency did not win him adherents and was to have unintended consequences.
-====Additional Readings====
+<dh-ad/>
-Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002).
+== Who killed Caesar? ==
+Many of those who took part in Caesar's assassination was formerly ardent supporters of Pompey and had fought with him at Pharsalus.<ref> Jiménez, Ramon L. <i>Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War</i> (New York, Praeger, 2006), p. 117</ref>  However, the fear of the emperor was so powerful that overwhelmed than gratitude or even personal affection for Caesar.  Cassius, the prime mover of the conspiracy, presented the assassination of the victor of Pharsalus as tyrannicide, the killing of a tyrant.  This persuaded many, including Brutus, to join the plot as they saw it as their duty as Romans. However, the evidence that Caesar wanted a return to the monarchy is scanty and inconclusive. Whatever his intentions, it is clear that the conspirators believed that he was determined to rule as king.<ref> Holland, Tom, <i>Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic</i> (London,  Anchor Books, 2003), p 189</ref>
+== Why were Roman Senators angry with Caesar? ==
+While Caesar's apparent pretensions angered many of the conspirators, others were angered over his apparent lack of respect for Roman senators.  Several conspirators were linked to senators, and the plotters believed that they were acting in the Senate's name. Senators were technically the lawmakers and the ultimate source of authority in the Republic.<ref>Holland, p. 197</ref> However, Caesar treated that body in a high-handed manner and often with contempt. He did not act respectfully towards the Senate, and this alienated many of them.
+Many senators saw his dismissive behavior as an affront and believed this was a thinly veiled attempt to marginalize the Senate. They saw his actions as an overt attempt to subvert the traditional form of government. Moreover, during the civil wars when Mark Anthony had governed Italy, the Senate was cowed into submission. Many senators yearned to return to the days when it was the main decision-making body in the Republic.
-Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London,  Anchor Books, 2003).
+Moreover, many senators who had conferred honorific titles and powers on the general were shocked when he used these largely symbolic powers to cement his position in Rome.<ref>Holland, p. 199</ref> The senators believed that the conqueror of Gaul was engaged in illegally gathering more personal power at the expense of the traditional elite and was subverting the constitution. The strained relationship between Caesar and the Senate was one factor that persuaded many that Caesar had to be assassinated.<ref>Plutarch xxi</ref>.
-Canfora, Luciano Julius Caesar: The People's Dictator (Edinburg, Edinburgh University Press, 2006).
+==  Were Roman Senators motivated by vengeance against Caesar? ==
+Caesar was an incredibly divisive figure in Rome. Still, most Romans genuinely loved him but despised he was by the City's elite. The senatorial class and their adherents were very suspicious and hated Caesar. He was a member of the popular party and related by marriage to Marius, the common people's darling. Moreover, many hated Caesar for personal reasons, and vengeance was almost certainly a factor in the Ides of March's assassination. <ref> Holland, p 201</ref>
-Jiménez, Ramon L. Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War (New York, Praeger, 2006).
+He had killed many of the senatorial order and the Roman elite during the civil wars. Friends and family members of the elite had died on many battlefields against Caesar during the civil war. Many prominent and revered Romans, such as Cato, had committed suicide to escape having to live in a Rome dominated by one man. Moreover, Caesar's policy of clemency did not reconcile the elite to him and his regime. Those whom he had pardoned after his victories continued to resent him and were instrumental in his assassination. Mercy was a characteristic of a king or a tyrant. Those who accepted it were thought to have been dishonored.<ref>Holland, p 210</ref> Furthermore, in the social system of the time, Senators had become dependent on Caesar. Ultimately Cassius and Brutus, while pardoned by Caesar, were eager to wipe away the stain on their honor that they only lived due to the mercy of a despised autocratic ruler.
-Goldsworthy, Anthony. Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006),
+====Conclusion====
+The assassination of Caesar was carried out by a small group of members of the elite. They believed that they were acting in the best interests of the Republic and sought to preserve it. The group who killed Caesar was motivated to prevent Caesar from becoming a permanent dictator. They genuinely believed that he wanted to crown himself king of Rome. Caesar’s poor relations with the Senate was also a crucial factor in the unfolding of the conspiracy. His actions appeared that he was bent on destroying the old constitution and fed into the narrative that he was a tyrant who wanted to ultimately re-establish royal rule in Rome. Moreover, Caesar was a divisive figure and was hated by many of Pompey's supporters. Instead of healing Rome, his clemency policy failed to win him adherents and became an embarrassment for the pardoned.
+====Additional Readings====
+* Syme, Ronald, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192803204/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192803204&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a10af7542e214cda24649ca76457ed62 The Roman Revolution]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002).
+* Canfora, Luciano, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00720XI0A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00720XI0A&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5de475b6b8ead57e112dcda8479acc57 Julius Caesar: The People's Dictator]</i> (Edinburg, Edinburgh University Press, 2006).
+* Jiménez, Ramon L., <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0275966208/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0275966208&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=20b9b0d1ca2a488932321afa4bb22afa Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War]</I> (New York, Praeger, 2006).
+* Goldsworthy, Adrian, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300126891/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300126891&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e3d7ca205d235ca4f80c8f42d215447a Caesar: Life of a Colossus]</i> (Yale University Press, 2008)
+* Freeman, Philip. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]</i>. (Simon and Schuster, 2008)
+* Grant, Michael. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486822192/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486822192&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=707967b3998ed8e0ee4b02e887ee7b50 The Twelve Caesars]</i> (New York: Penguin Books, 1979)
+* Osgood, Josiah. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521671779/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521671779&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78feb0248f30b4a6c2cfaa0048334c9f Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire]</I> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006)
+* Holland, Tom. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic] (London, Anchor Press, 2003)
+* Goodman, Rob. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250042623/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250042623&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4c9157524f8c44ff12d67a6dff4613ad Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato: Mortal Enemy of Caesar]'' (St. Martin's Griffen, 2014)
 ====References====
 <references/>
+<div class="portal" style='float:left;width:35%">
+====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====
+*[[What made Julius Caesar a great general?]]
+*[[How did Julius Caesar rise to power?]]
+*[[How did Caesar's conquest of Gaul change both Rome and Gaul?]]
+*[[What were the consequences of Caesar's assassination?]]
+{{#dpl:category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=5}}
+</div>
+[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Roman History]][[Category: Ancient History]][[Category:Julius Caesar]]