Conspiracy against Julius Caesar
Who would dare plan to kill the dictator
for life of the Roman Republic, knowing if they failed, they would be branded
as traitors? Of course, they were old enemies of Caesar, those who believed
they were friends' of Caesar, and the idealists. Individually, their reasons
varied, but together, they believed the salvation of the Republic depended on
the death of Caesar.
The group of conspirators was conformed
by: Cassius, Antony, Brutus, Decius, Trebonius, Cinna, Casca, and Metellus. The
group never met openly, but they assembled a few at a time in each other’s
homes. There were many discussions and proposals, as might be expected, while
they investigated how and where to execute their design. They knew that it was
a dangerous mission but they would do anything to protect Rome form tyranny. In
favor of the conspirators, Caesar dismissed his bodyguard because he believed
that no one would dare to attack him. (Wrong thought.) The conspirators
realized the attack had to be soon and swift as Caesar was making plans to lead
his army on a three-year campaign against the Parthians, leaving on March 18.
After all the discussion, the last decision the conspirators made was to strike
during a session of the Senate in the Capitol on the Ides of March (March 15.)
The attackers had chosen their weapon of
choice wisely. It was a double-edged dagger instead of a sword. Daggers were better for close contact and
could be hidden under their togas.
Who would dare plan to kill the dictator
for life of the Roman Republic, knowing if they failed, they would be branded
as traitors? Of course, they were old enemies of Caesar, those who believed
they were friends' of Caesar, and the idealists. Individually, their reasons
varied, but together, they believed the salvation of the Republic depended on
the death of Caesar.
The group of conspirators was conformed
by: Cassius, Antony, Brutus, Decius, Trebonius, Cinna, Casca, and Metellus. The
group never met openly, but they assembled a few at a time in each other’s
homes. There were many discussions and proposals, as might be expected, while
they investigated how and where to execute their design. They knew that it was
a dangerous mission but they would do anything to protect Rome form tyranny. In
favor of the conspirators, Caesar dismissed his bodyguard because he believed
that no one would dare to attack him. (Wrong thought.) The conspirators
realized the attack had to be soon and swift as Caesar was making plans to lead
his army on a three-year campaign against the Parthians, leaving on March 18.
After all the discussion, the last decision the conspirators made was to strike
during a session of the Senate in the Capitol on the Ides of March (March 15.)
The attackers had chosen their weapon of
choice wisely. It was a double-edged dagger instead of a sword. Daggers were better for close contact and
could be hidden under their togas.
