Julius Caesar:

The unholy exit of an emperor

By Premasara Epasinghe

Caesar (Gaius) Julius, (100-44BC) was a Roman General and a statesman. He was a great military commander and a brilliant politician. He defeated formidable rivals to become the dictator of Rome. After the death of Sulla, Caesar became the military tribunal. As "Ponifex Maximus," he directed reforms in 63 BC that resulted in the Julian calendar. He formed the first triumvirate in 60 BC, with Pompey and Crassus instituted agrarian reforms and created a Patrician - Plebeian alliance. Julius Caesar, initially captured Gaul for Rome (58-49), invaded Britain (54 BC). The senate demanded to disband Caesar's Army, but he refused. This led to a civil war with Pompey. At Pharsalus, Julius Caesar, he made Cleopatra his queen. After further victories, Caesar returned to Rome in 45 BC and received many honours, culminating in the title for dictator of life.

Ides of March

He introduced many popular and worthy reforms. But, his growing power aroused resentment. He was assassinated in the Senate on March 15 by a conspiracy led by Cassius and Brutus.

Julius Caesar

March 15 is known as Ides of March. It is associated with Caesar's death. "Ides Day" is in Roman Republican calendar. It fell on the eighth day after the nones of each month - March 15, May, July and October and 13th of other months. The Romans were very superstitious. They lived in a world full of unexplained phenomena, which they chose to interpret in supernatural rather than scientific terms.

They believed in the reading of omens to predict the future. It was raised to the status of science. The Romans believed the future could be predicted by reading the entrails of sacrificial animals, the liver and heart being of particular importance. Before his murder, Caesar killed an animal, opened up, to his horror, he found that the animal had no heart. Further, there were other bad omens too. Gaius Julius Caesar, played a crucial role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Bad Dream

With the conquest of Gaul, the Roman Empire extended as far as the Atlantic Ocean. Caesar proclaimed himself dictator for life, and set about reforming Roman society. Senator, Marcus Brutus one of his closest friends and a group of Senators wanted a return to the traditions of the Roman Republic, and vowed to end Caesar's dictatorship.

The conspirators were Marcus Junius Brutus, Servilius Casca and Tillius Cimber. Caesar's third wife was Calpurnia Pisonis. She was a strong, educated woman who did not generally believe in superstitions. Strangely, she believed the terrible nightmare. She dreamt, Caesar badly injured and streaming with blood. In the morning, she told Caesar about the dreams and advised her husband to postpone the Senate meeting.

Plan to kill

Brutus said, "Caesar, you are a brave man. Are you to pay attention to a woman's dream. This persuaded Caesar to attend the Senate.

The conspirators easily got their victim. They planned to execute their plan in one of the following ways. To kill Caesar on his favourite walks on sacred way, to push him off the bridge, when attending the gladiatorial show, killing Caesar in the Senate. Ultimately they decided to kill him, in the Senate House.

Ides of March 15 dawned. Julius Caesar proceeded to the Senate House in a procession. On his way, a blind-soothsayer shouted "Caesar - Beware Ides of March." Caesar smilingly replied "Ides of March has come." The blind man replied "Caesar, Ides of March has come, but not yet gone". Brutus instructed the officials to take the blind soothsayer away immediately.

When Julius Caesar arrived at the Senate, all the Senators arose. The "Plotters" stood near him. Tillus Limber was the first to approach him.

Et tu Brute

They quickly unsheathed their daggers. Servilius Casca struck him with the point of a blade on the left shoulder. A man who fought many battles, Caesar was completely taken by surprise. He was unarmed. Then, Cassius Longinus attacked Caesar's face. His closest Decimus Brutus stabbed him behind. Caesar could not believe his eyes.

Caesar said, Et u Brute - ("You too Brutus"). He further uttered, "Kai su o Teknan (even you lad).

The blood was gushing from all over the body. He fell at the foot of Pompey's statue. The floor turned blood red. The Great Emperor, one of the greatest Roman conquerors - Julius Caesar (102-44 BC) had 35 wounds in his body due to the brutal attack before he breathed his last.

Caesarean operation

Today, you often hear the word "Caesarean." It is the delivery of a baby by surgical incision made through the abdomen and uterus of the mother, usually recovers quickly, without complications. The procedure is named after Julius Caesar, who is believed to have been born in this way.