Barry Strauss - The Death of Caesar: The Story of History’s Most Famous Assassination

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To Marcia

Ancient names are spelled following the style of the standard reference work, The Oxford Classical Dictionary , 3rd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999).

Translations from the Greek or Latin are my own, unless otherwise noted.

CAESAR (Gaius Julius Caesar), 10044 B.C. Brilliant politician, general, and writer, he was eventually Dictator in Perpetuity. The most polarizing figure of the age, he made many Romans fear that he wanted to become king and harm their interests, and so they decided to assassinate him. Age in 44 B.C. fifty-five.

OCTAVIAN (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, born Gaius Octavius, later Imperator Caesar divi Filius and, finally, Augustus), 63 B.C. A.D. 14. Caesars brilliant and ruthless grandnephew and heir made his way through the dangerous political waters of the age to become Augustus, Romes first emperor. Age in 44 B.C. eighteen on the Ides of March.

MARK ANTONY (Marcus Antonius), ca. 8330 B.C. One of Caesars best generals, he was a cagey politician who defeated the assassins, became Cleopatras lover and one of the two most powerful men in the Roman Empire, only to be defeated by Octavian. Age in 44 B.C. thirty-nine.

LEPIDUS (Marcus Aemilius Lepidus), ca. 8912 B.C. One of Caesars generals, a loyalist, he commanded a legion in Rome at the time of Caesars assassination. He was Chief Priest and eventually one of the three triumvirs but he was squeezed out by Antony and Octavian. Age in 44 B.C. forty-five.

BRUTUS (Marcus Junius Brutus), ca. 8542 B.C. Brutuss name, eloquence, and reputation for ethical behavior made him the most famous of the assassins and their public face. On the less positive side, he had a penchant for betrayal and he squeezed money out of provincials. He wanted to kill Caesar without launching a revolution or disturbing the peacean impossible ambition. Age in 44 B.C. forty.

CASSIUS (Gaius Cassius Longinus), ca. 8642 B.C. Perhaps the man who hatched the conspiracy, Cassius was a military man and a supporter of Pompey, who only reluctantly accepted Caesar before finally turning on him. He advocated harsher measures than his brother-in-law, Brutus. Age in 44 B.C. forty-one.

DECIMUS (Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus), ca. 8143 B.C. Often forgotten, Decimus was the third leader of the conspiracy against Caesar. A brilliant young general from a noble family, he rose in Gaul under Caesar and then turned on him, either out of republican principle or thwarted ambition, or both. He fought Antony in Italy and Gaul, was betrayed and executed. Age in 44 B.C. thirty-seven.

TREBONIUS (Gaius Trebonius), ca. 9043 B.C. One of Caesars leading generals, he played a prominent role in the conspiracy against him and was later treacherously murdered. Age in 44 B.C. forty-six.

CASCA (Publius Servilius Casca), died 42 B.C. ? He struck the first blow against Caesar on the Ides of March. He served as Peoples Tribune in 43 B.C. and then went east and fought under Brutus at Philippi, where he probably died either in battle or by suicide afterward.

GAIUS CASCA (Gaius Servilius Casca). Brother of Publius, struck Caesar in the ribs, which might have been the fatal blow.

CIMBER (Lucius Tillius Cimber), died 42 B.C. ? Caesar liked his officer, Cimber, even though Cimber was known as a brawler and a drinker. But Cimber betrayed Caesar and signaled the start of the attack on the Ides of March by pulling the toga from Caesars shoulders. As governor of Bithynia, he supported Brutus and Cassius. He fought at Philippi, where he probably died.