Julius Caesar Emperor Augustus
Why They Did It
- Fear of Monarchy: Senators feared Caesar's accumulation of power, especially after being declared "dictator for life" (dictator perpetuo), believing he intended to become king.
- Preserving the Republic: The conspirators saw themselves as tyrannicides, killing Caesar to protect republican traditions from tyranny.
The Event
- Date & Location: March 15, 44 BC, at the Curia of Pompey (part of the Theatre complex).
- The Act: Over 60 senators surrounded Caesar and stabbed him repeatedly as he arrived for a Senate meeting.
- Last Words: Upon seeing Brutus, a trusted ally, among his attackers, Caesar famously (though debated) uttered, "Et tu, Brute?" (You too, my child/son?), expressing shock at the betrayal.
Aftermath
- Failed Goal: The assassination failed to restore the Republic; instead, it plunged Rome into further civil wars.
- Rise of the Empire: Caesar's grand-nephew and adopted son, Octavian, emerged victorious, becoming Emperor Augustus and establishing the Roman Empire, solidifying the end of the Republic.