The murder of Caesar has remained one of the most infamous assassinations in history over centuries. It may be explained by the fact that Caesar was a powerful ruler, who managed to bring Rome to prosperity, and by the drastic consequences, this assassination led to, which ran counter to what was expected. Plutarch’s history sheds light on how Caesar was murdered and leaves room for reflection on whether this action was justified.
Caesar was killed by the senators who feared that all the power would concentrate in his hands. These apprehensions were groundless, since at that time, the authoritarian reform, envisioned by Caesar, was more in line with the tasks that the Roman Empire set to itself as a state striving for world domination (Joshua and Symes). The senators were not unanimous in their decision to assassinate Caesar; some did not feel it would be justified. Plutarch writes: “Favonius declared his judgment to be that a civil war was worse than the most illegal monarchy; and Statilius held, that to bring himself into troubles and danger upon the account of evil or foolish men did not become a man that had any wisdom or discretion” (Plutarch). Nevertheless, the plot was brought about, and Caesar was slain.
Caesar’s assassination, instead of expected jubilation, gave rise to panic and distress. Senators ran out of the building frightened and did not listen to Brutus, who wanted to invite them to liberty (Plutarch). The Senate had hoped that Caesar’s death would preserve the republic, but instead, it led to creating a monarchy. The Republicans could not gain a foothold in power, tarnishing their name. Octavian, supported by the people as a man who avenged the death of Caesar, became an emperor, and the conspirators were executed.
Work Cited
Joshua, Cole and Carol Symes. “Western Civilizations (Brief Fifth Edition)”, vol. Combined Volume. W. W. Norton & Company. 2020.
Plutarch. “The Assassination of Julius Caesar. Assassination of Julius Caesar”, edited by Marcus Brutus et al. Web.