Brutus

He assassinated Caesar to defend the Republic and finally killed himself after defeat at Philippi.

Life

Descendant of an illustrious family

Brutus came from an illustrious Roman family and claimed descent from the Brutus who overthrew the last king and founded the Republic. In the civil war he sided with Pompey; after the defeat he was pardoned by Caesar and given high office.

The Ides of March

Fearing that Caesar would become king, on March 15, 44 BCE, he, Cassius and others assassinated Caesar in the Senate. But the Roman people did not support them, and he was forced to leave Italy and raise an army in the east.

Philippi

In 42 BCE he and Cassius fought the decisive battle against Antony and Augustus at Philippi in Macedon; after their defeat he committed suicide.

Legacy

Later judgments of Brutus are polarized: Dante placed him in the deepest pit of Hell, while Shakespeare had Antony call him "the noblest Roman of them all."

Did you know? Legend has it that when Caesar saw him among the assassins, he said: "You too, child?" The line comes from later accounts and may not be true.

Key dates

• 49 BCESided with Pompey in the civil war
• 48 BCEPardoned by Caesar after Pharsalus
• 44 BCEAssassinating Caesar
• 42 BCEDefeated at Philippi, committed suicide