Everyone can’t accept everyone. That was the case with the ruling class. People are always more displeased with the people who hold more power in their lives than those that they find annoying. Assassinations of powerful leaders were common, from Jing Ke and Qin Shi Huangdi up to John Kennedy. Julius Caesar was a legendary Roman leader who was assassinated in 44 BC on the 15th of March in Rome’s Theatre of Pompey. Over sixty Roman Republic Senate leaders, including Gaius Cassius Longinus & Marcus Junius Brutus, were implicated in the crime. They formulated the “Ides of March” plan and killed Caesar by stabbing him.
The Senate acted because they were concerned about Caesar gaining more power. He was a powerful man in Gaul and had the loyalty of the people. Cleopatra was a close friend, and her power was his. The Senate was the sole owner of power. They even received a report after every war, thanking the generals and expressing their appreciation. Caesar wrote only three words about his report. Also, he came to get the Senate. So he got control of Rome. The Senate’s power was taken from them. They were not happy with Caesar’s behavior as a king and his reforms. To The Senators, Caesar’s pregnancy with Cleopatra sent a very dangerous message. To regain power, they wanted Caesar off their back. It was understandable, because envy has always been considered a natural human trait. Just as today’s people would not want to be fired and replaced, so did ancient Romans. They were motivated mainly by jealousy. They may have also been motivated by the desire to maintain the Senate despite its crumbling structure. Some may be motivated by their own personal reasons. Perhaps they are ardent supporters of the Republican party or have personal problems with Caesar.
Cassius, as the original creator of the plan, was one the most important players. It was a simple motive, he simply wanted Caesar dead to get him out of sight. He was once trusted by Crassus as a naval commander. Crassus even gave him the power to control all fights. Pompey, Crassus’s former companion, appreciated his abilities after Crassus had been killed. He was appointed naval commander of a fleet and led it in battle. This also did not endure long. He was forced to submit under Caesar after his leader, who he regarded as a friend and mentor, died in battle. Cassius received an offer to join Senate, even though Caesar may have forgiven him in order for him to appear as a kind ruler. Cassius fit well in the Senate due to his conservatism and dislike of change. Caesar’s acts, however were in direct opposition to his desires. Caesar’s reforms threatened his assets, as the land and slaves he owned would be taken from him. Even his prestige would be lowered as non-Romans gained citizenship. He could have kept everything he had and possibly even more if he was able to lose Caesar.
Cassius and Marcus Brutus only shared one similarity: both fought in Caesar’s Civil War for Pompey. Marcus Brutus apologized for his actions to Caesar, but Cassius did not. Caesar, like Cassius, immediately forgave him. However, he gained access to Caesar’s inner sanctum because of their close relationship. His uncle was the main reason he chose to take part in the assassination. Quintus Serilus Caepio believed in and supported the Senate. Marcus Brutus was influenced by him and became more irritated with Caesar’s kinglike behavior. Like the majority of Senators, he had never been around a king. Cassius took advantage of this and betrayed him. He even became a main assassin. Caesar found it difficult to believe that Cassius was also involved. After he stabbed Caesar, Caesar gave up fighting back. The dictator’s last words were: “Et Tu, Brute?” or “You Too?” My Child? He covered his head, then fell on the ground and embraced his death.
Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus also used to have a good relationship with Caesar. Decimus was close to Caesar, and also served on his side in the wars. Since they had a close relationship, Decimus Brutus thought he deserved to get Caesar’s powers and property after his death. He was jealous that Caesar’s son was going to inherit all of Caesar’s properties and crown. In order to avoid Caesar, and to increase his rights, he turned against his former friend. He was Caesar’s most trusted senator, and he wouldn’t have persuaded Caesar to go to the theatre when he hesitated if he hadn’t been there.
Servilius Casca, although not one of the main players, could be blamed for his actions. Casca was the one who made the move first, while Caesar’s attention was diverted by Tillius Cimber. As he was worried, he cut Caesar’s throat. Caesar could not have stabbed himself in the neck with a dagger, as the wound was not deep. In danger and feeling scared, Senators turned to him for assistance. The Senators immediately rushed to their guns. Casca, then, was the final assassin. Casca was a subordinate in the attack. This was because he did not have a known motive for his involvement. This idea could be sold to many, even if it is against their will. Yet, their actions were not justified.
All the criminals seem to have their own reasons. Caesar was not considered in the solution. Following the death Crassus, the three-man rule was no longer in balance. Caesar, Pompey, and the other two men were now competing for power. Since both wanted to be in control, it was only a matter time before one of them finally won. Pompey’s victory would make him king. Senators were not surprised by this as they used to be ruled by kings. Sulla was the first person to be given the title of “Perpetual dictator”. Pompey was a former general of Sulla. Caesar’s actions were deemed a crisis as they were a result of his increasing power. Caesar’s intentions were good for Rome. After conquering Gaul he fought Pompey and even dated Cleopatra to help her get power. Caesar wanted to make Rome better by empowering the poor, and offering them more opportunities. He had even planned to reorganize the laws and coinage, but was never able to implement it because he died. Again, this was the reason why Senators decided to murder him. They felt threatened as his reforms impacted on their ability to gain power. Caesar, who became a lifelong dictator and had an Egyptian-Roman half-sister as his heir, even had children with Cleopatra. The law system they had in mind was completely different. Their reasoning may have been perfectly understandable, yet it wasn’t justified.
They believed that the Senate system was once ethical. It was about to collapse because Senators such as Cassius, who were only interested in their own interests. In a few years, they would have gone from democracy towards oligarchy. Caesar still wanted to improve Rome, despite his kingly behavior. In this case, the death of a dictator was not justifiable.