What are the Ides of March?

March is a month, of course, synonymous with the Ides of March–a day famous for the assassination of Julius Caesar. In March fall on the 15th, and it was a significant day in the Roman calendar. Originally a day of celebration, but it later became a day of great tragedy.

Where did it come from?

The Ides of March was originally a day of celebration marking the first full moon of the year in the Roman calendar. The Romans believed that this was a time of new beginnings and rebirth. They would celebrate with feasts and festivals make offerings to the god Mars. It was a day when debts were settled, and it was also a day when officials were inaugurated. It was a time of ceremony and was seen as a turning point in the year.

Beware!

Despite its significance as a day of celebration and new beginnings, the Ides of March is now most famous for the assassination of Julius Caesar. On March 15th, 44 BC, a group of senators led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, stabbed Caesar to death in the Roman Senate.

Caesar’s assassination was a turning point in Roman history, and it marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. The assassination was motivated by a desire to prevent Caesar from becoming too powerful, and it was seen as a necessary step to protect the interests of the Roman people.

The date’s Legacy

The legacy of the Ides of March has endured for centuries. The phrase “Beware the Ides of March” is famous thanks to William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. The play is a dramatization of the events leading up to Caesar’s assassination and has become one of the world’s most famous works of literature. The Ides have also become a symbol of betrayal and treachery. It is a warning to be cautious of those around you, and to be mindful of the consequences of your actions. In the mythology of calendars, it has become a reminder of the fragility of power, and the importance of accountability and responsibility.

References:

“The Ides of March” by History.com Editors, published on History.com. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https://www.history.com/tag/ides-of-march

“The Origin and History of the Ides of March” by Beverly Hernandez, published on ThoughtCo. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https://www.thoughtco.com/ides-of-march-117776

“Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, published on SparkNotes. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https:// https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/

Looking for a good read on the Ides of March?

“The Death of Caesar: The Story of History’s Most Famous Assassination” by Barry Strauss. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https://www.amazon.com/Death-Caesar-Historys-Famous-Assassination/dp/1451668791