character

Julius Caesar

The Roman general turned dictator whose assassination ended the Republic.

Origin

Caesar conquered Gaul, crossed the Rubicon, defeated his rival Pompey in civil war, and was declared dictator for life. On the Ides of March, 44 BCE, a group of senators including his friend Brutus stabbed him to death. The Republic never recovered.

Modern usage

Synonym for any ambitious political figure suspected of authoritarian intent. The word 'Caesar' became 'Tsar' (Russia), 'Kaiser' (Germany), and 'czar' (the head of any modern initiative).

Crossing the Rubicon

Making an irreversible decision.

phrase

Shakespeare

Et tu, Brute?

An expression of shock at being betrayed by a close friend.

phrase

Roman History

The Ides of March

March 15 — by extension, a day of doomed reckoning.

Allusionary