SH+P6+2016+Marcus+Junius+Brutus

Marcus Junius Brutus


 * Aim - Gabrielle Russell **



Marcus Junius Brutus was a politician in the of the late Roman Republic. One of Brutus’ major contributions to the Roman Empire was the assassination of Julius Caesar. This event had a major affect on the Empire as a whole, and “as the leader of the plot to assassinate roman dictator Julius Caesar, Brutus attempted to restore the Roman Republic but instead brought forth the Roman Empire” (Hollander 2). Caesar lead the assassination because he was afraid of the republic that he stood for was going to be corrupted by Caesar’s potential tyranny. Despite his close connections with Caesar, “on March 15, 44, the conspirators stabbed Caesar to death at a meeting of the senate” (Hollander 3). This date is called the Ides of March and is recognized as the day of Caesar’s assassination as well as several religious observances. In addition, Brutus wanted to ensure that the common public had their voices heard to those who led the empire. Cassius came to Brutus, knowing that he shared his views of Caesar’s corruption. Cassius was the brother-in-law to Brutus and was a Roman senator. The two organized the assassination to occur on the Ides of March, along with other members that they had gathered. Once Caesar was dead, their goal, the conspirators, was to take over the leadership and reform the republic.

Hollander, David B. “Great Lives from History: Notorious Lives.” //History Publication// (2007): 2-3. Digital Repository. Web. 06 Jan 2016.
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 * Audience - Andrew Whiteford **



Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger was the leader of the assassins who killed Julius Caesar. The group of assassins, including Brutus, killed Caesar to prevent “ushering in an absolutist rule that would prevail over Western Europe for centuries to come” (Parenti). They assassinated Caesar to put an end to the “absolutist rule” that had been established in Rome. This was done to establish a democratic system of government where the leader would not have absolute power. This action was done to appeal to the public who had little or no power and wanted more say in the government and they were tired of the tierney from an absolute ruler. The result of these feelings of the people of Rome was civil war. The war was won by those fighting to end the “Absolutist rule” from the government. So, after the war the “absolutist rule” was removed from the government which allowed Rome to be successful for many years to come.

Parenti, Michael. “Why Was Caesar Really Killed?” //History News Network//. History News Network, 13 Aug. 2003. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
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 * Historical - Abigail Austin **



A famous example of betrayal is Marcus Junius Brutus and his actions are still remembered today. Brutus worked for Julius Caesar and he was “Long optimistic about Caesar’s plans” (Badian). However, Brutus turned against Caesar and “joined Cassius and other leading senators in the plot that led to the assassination of Caesar” (Badian). Brutus’ actions became the ultimate example of betrayal, as he had both the trust and friendship of Caesar. Brutus continued to go against Caesar even after his assassination. Eventually Brutus committed suicide during the Battle of Philippi and, “after his death he became a symbol of resistance to tyranny” (Badian). The story of Brutus and his treachery is so famous that it appears in //Dante’s Inferno// by Dante Alighieri and //Julius Caesar// by William Shakespeare. Marcus Junius Brutus’ betrayal gave him infamy and he is a prominent historical example of treachery.

Badian, E. “Marcus Junius Brutus.” //Encyclopedia Britannica.// Encyclopedia Britannica Inc, 4 Apr. 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2015
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 * Cultural - Hayli Green **



Brutus’ effect on cultural history was overwhelmingly from his great betrayal of being involved in the killing of Julius Caesar. Since his father was notoriously bad, he was “...always conscious of his descent from Lucius Junius Brutus, who was said to have driven the Etruscan kings from Rome, Brutus joined Cassius and other leading senators in the plot that led to the assassination of Caesar on March 15, 44 bce” (Badian). Because of the close friendship with Julius that he had before he conspired to kill him, he has been a symbol of disloyalty and betrayal ever since his crime. In Dante’s Inferno, Brutus is encountered by Dante on the final circle of Hell, where the treacherous suffered. Brutus was there not only for murdering Julius, but because of the betrayal of trust he committed by doing so. The culture of current society of Dante’s time was especially affected by Dante’s portrayal of his crime because it taught a moral: Do not betray the trust of your friends. The audience would see that the consequences of treachery that Brutus had to endure for eternity, and then ensure that they will not do the same and suffer as well. Brutus and his actions also provoked cultural diversity within the minds of thoughtful readers. Shakespeare viewed his conspiracy as a powerful act of rebellion against a tyrannical king. Dante, on the other hand, viewed it as a crime worthy of the worst punishment possible, and an eternity of suffering. Their opinions are only few of many who hear the tale of Julius Caesar and Brutus, and they influenced others to form their own opinion on the matter, affecting many cultures for many years.

Badian, E. “Marcus Junius Brutus.” //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Encyclopedia Britannica. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Encyclopedia Britannica Inc, 4 Apr. 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2015
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