Beware the Ides of March
- Guy
- Mar 15
- 1 min read
What does "Beware the Ides of March" mean? A warning from a soothsayer in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar of the upcoming assassination of Caesar on March 15 in the year 44 BC. The Ides derives from the Latin word meaning to divide and in the Roman calendar the Ides of March was the 15th day.
Caesar was stabbed to death at a meeting of his fellow senators led by Brutus and Cassius who were jealous of Caesar's popularity and did so in the name of preserving the Republic. The result was not as intended and became a turning point in Roman history. After Caesar's death a series of further Roman civil wars resulted in the rise to power of brutal emperor Augustus and the end of the Republic.
Caesar's dying words after being stabbed by the Roman leaders were "Et tu, Brute?" - meaning, and you too, Brutus? Betrayal.
Between the Lines: And you thought today's political environment was devisive?