the life of Cassius
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Birth name:
Born: Died: Cause of death: Era: Political affiliation: Major conflicts: |
Gaius Cassius Longinus
c. 87 BC - Rome, Italy 3 October, 42 BC - Philippi, Macedonia (aged c. 45) Suicide Roman Republic Optimates Battle of Carrhae, Caesar's Civil War, Battle of Philippi |
Early Life (87-53 BC)
Not much is known about the early life of Gaius Cassius Longinus, but it is thought he was born in 87 BC in Rome, Italy. He was educated in Rhodes where he learned to speak Greek, a sign of a good education in Ancient Rome. He was allegedly often at odds with the son of Sulla, showing a hatred for tyranny at a young age. He eventually married a woman named Junia Tertia who was a half-sister of Marcus Junius Brutus, Cassius' future co-conspirator in the murder of Julius Caesar.
Battle of Carrhae (53 BC)
Cassius embarked on a successful military career including taking part in the infamous Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC, where he was serving under the Triumvir Marcus Crassus as a quaestor. Crassus was part of the First Triumvirate, his colleagues being Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. He had decided on a military campaign in Parthia so that he could rival the glory and success of the other triumvirs.
The Battle of Carrhae, located in modern day Turkey, would be one of Rome's greatest defeats, claiming the lives of many men, including Marcus Crassus. During the battle Cassius had advised on adopting a traditional Roman military formation that involved using cavalry to flank infantry, protecting them from attack. However Crassus ignored this advice and told his men to form as a hollow square. However in this formation the Parthian cavalry were able to rain arrows down upon the Romans without fear of retaliation. The Roman forces were crushed and Cassius fled with what little troops remained back toward into Syria and then on to Rome.
The Battle of Carrhae, located in modern day Turkey, would be one of Rome's greatest defeats, claiming the lives of many men, including Marcus Crassus. During the battle Cassius had advised on adopting a traditional Roman military formation that involved using cavalry to flank infantry, protecting them from attack. However Crassus ignored this advice and told his men to form as a hollow square. However in this formation the Parthian cavalry were able to rain arrows down upon the Romans without fear of retaliation. The Roman forces were crushed and Cassius fled with what little troops remained back toward into Syria and then on to Rome.
Caesar's Civil War (49-45 BC)
By 50 BC in Rome civil war was looming. Without Crassus the First Triumvirate was now breaking apart with Julius Caesar and Pompey at each other's throats. Cassius, along with his friend Brutus, sided with Pompey and the Optimates. Cassius was rewarded with the position of Tribune of the Plebs in 49 BC but fled Rome in favour of Greece after Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his legion and marched upon the city. In Greece, Cassius met with Pompey who was commanding the Optimates' forces. Here he was given a portion of the Optimates' navy and tasked with harassing the coasts of Italy and Sicily in order to hinder Caesar's advance towards the East. In 48 BC Cassius was successful in his mission, even managing to set some of Caesar's navy ablaze, but the vast number of ships managed to break through his blockades and reach Greece. In the East, Caesar was victorious at the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, causing Pompey to flee to Egypt where he would be murdered. The Optimates were now scattered in the different corners of the Roman Republic being hunted down by Caesar, one by one. Cassius fled with his fleet towards Asia Minor but was intercepted by Caesar and he promptly surrendered.
Cassius found Caesar to be very forgiving. Now as allies, he promoted Cassius to the position of legate. Caesar tasked Cassius with taking the war to his former allies Cato and Scipio in the province of Africa, but he refused to fight them. Caesar did not force him to obey, and allowed him to retire from his military service.
Cassius found Caesar to be very forgiving. Now as allies, he promoted Cassius to the position of legate. Caesar tasked Cassius with taking the war to his former allies Cato and Scipio in the province of Africa, but he refused to fight them. Caesar did not force him to obey, and allowed him to retire from his military service.
A coin with the image of Gaius Cassius Longinus. By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=516725
Assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BC)
After having retired from his military career Cassius pursued a life in politics instead, much like his friend Brutus had. He served as praetor in 44 BC with the guarantee of governing Syria in 43 BC - this caused some resentment from Brutus towards Caesar as he felt he was more qualified for such a position. As he integrated himself more with members of Rome's Senate he was brought into a conspiracy to kill Julius Caesar, who had recently been appointed as dictator for life - an act that worried many republicans. Cassius was easily persuaded to join the conspirators by Brutus who had assumed a position of leadership. Cassius became one of the main instigators, recruiting many more senators to their cause.
On the Ides of March, 44 BC, Cassius and the other conspirators murdered Caesar in the Theatre of Pompey, where the Senate would often meet for their formal gatherings. Caesar initially fought off the attackers but upon seeing Brutus among the conspirators he shrouded himself with his toga and accepted his fate. Caesar suffered 23 stab wounds, with one to the heart fatally wounding him. Many of Caesar's supporters fled the city when the news broke as they feared they would be next. Mark Antony had learned of the plot to kill his friend but had been apprehended en route to warn Caesar. Realising he was too late, he also fled Rome. Had Cassius had his way, Antony would have been killed along with Caesar but Brutus had insisted on only Caesar being the target, so as to keep the ensuing chaos to a minimum.
Cassius and the other conspirators styled themselves as the Liberators, claiming they had saved Rome from Caesar's tyranny and restored the Roman Republic. However the people of Rome were furious as they had seen Caesar as the people's champion. Mark Antony returned to Rome and delivered a eulogy at Caesar's funeral, rallying many to his side and driving the Liberators from Rome. Despite having been granted amnesty by the Senate, Cassius and Brutus fled to the East where they built up their forces in preparation for an inevitable conflict with Antony.
On the Ides of March, 44 BC, Cassius and the other conspirators murdered Caesar in the Theatre of Pompey, where the Senate would often meet for their formal gatherings. Caesar initially fought off the attackers but upon seeing Brutus among the conspirators he shrouded himself with his toga and accepted his fate. Caesar suffered 23 stab wounds, with one to the heart fatally wounding him. Many of Caesar's supporters fled the city when the news broke as they feared they would be next. Mark Antony had learned of the plot to kill his friend but had been apprehended en route to warn Caesar. Realising he was too late, he also fled Rome. Had Cassius had his way, Antony would have been killed along with Caesar but Brutus had insisted on only Caesar being the target, so as to keep the ensuing chaos to a minimum.
Cassius and the other conspirators styled themselves as the Liberators, claiming they had saved Rome from Caesar's tyranny and restored the Roman Republic. However the people of Rome were furious as they had seen Caesar as the people's champion. Mark Antony returned to Rome and delivered a eulogy at Caesar's funeral, rallying many to his side and driving the Liberators from Rome. Despite having been granted amnesty by the Senate, Cassius and Brutus fled to the East where they built up their forces in preparation for an inevitable conflict with Antony.
Battle of Philippi (42 BC)
In the East Cassius and Brutus called upon local governors to fund and bolster their armies. In addition, they illegally obtained arms by intercepting trade going from Asia Minor to Rome. Cassius considered taking Egypt by force, while Brutus would seize Rome. However by now they had to contend with the Second Triumvirate, formed from an alliance between Antony, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and Caesar's great-nephew Octavian. The Second Triumvirate was a part of Rome's constitution and was recognised by the Senate making the three triumvirs the three most powerful people in all of the Roman Republic. Together they boasted an army even larger than that of Cassius and Brutus.
Cassius and Brutus would try to weaken the Second Triumvirate's hold on the East by attacking Rhodes and Lycia respectively. This did little to weaken the Triumvir's conviction. Cassius and Brutus were declared outlaws and would be brought to justice. Octavian and Antony sailed to the East while Lepidus ruled in Rome.
Cassius and Brutus fortified their position in Phillipi, not wishing to be drawn into an open battle as they had an inferior number of troops. Initially they attempted to starve out the Triumvir's forces but this proved to be an ineffective tactic as Octavian and Antony were well supplied. Cassius and Brutus realised they would need to confront them in a battle instead. The Battle of Philippi begun on the 3rd October 42 BC. Cassius engaged Antony's forces while Brutus skirmished with Octavian. Each side saw both victory and defeat, Brutus managed to defeat Octavian's forces, forcing him to flee but Cassius was defeated by Antony.
Cassius and Brutus would try to weaken the Second Triumvirate's hold on the East by attacking Rhodes and Lycia respectively. This did little to weaken the Triumvir's conviction. Cassius and Brutus were declared outlaws and would be brought to justice. Octavian and Antony sailed to the East while Lepidus ruled in Rome.
Cassius and Brutus fortified their position in Phillipi, not wishing to be drawn into an open battle as they had an inferior number of troops. Initially they attempted to starve out the Triumvir's forces but this proved to be an ineffective tactic as Octavian and Antony were well supplied. Cassius and Brutus realised they would need to confront them in a battle instead. The Battle of Philippi begun on the 3rd October 42 BC. Cassius engaged Antony's forces while Brutus skirmished with Octavian. Each side saw both victory and defeat, Brutus managed to defeat Octavian's forces, forcing him to flee but Cassius was defeated by Antony.
Another coin bearing the image of Gaius Cassius Longinus. By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=516732
Death & Legacy (42 BC)
After his defeat Cassius lost all hope and committed suicide, not realising that Brutus had been victorious against Octavian. It is possible Cassius received false reports that Brutus had been defeated, or he just simply assumed the worst.
Brutus mourned his death and gave him a proper burial. Cassius is remembered as being a competent military commander and politician, but was held back by his quick temper. Following this, Brutus would engage the two Triumvirs one last time before ultimately being defeated and joining Cassius in committing suicide.
With no more enemies left to face, the Second Triumvirate collapsed and the Triumvirs warred with each other until Octavian emerged victorious, transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.
Brutus mourned his death and gave him a proper burial. Cassius is remembered as being a competent military commander and politician, but was held back by his quick temper. Following this, Brutus would engage the two Triumvirs one last time before ultimately being defeated and joining Cassius in committing suicide.
With no more enemies left to face, the Second Triumvirate collapsed and the Triumvirs warred with each other until Octavian emerged victorious, transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.
Quotes by Cassius
“In great attempts it is glorious even to fail”
"There are three ways whereby a man may become great: being loyal, telling the truth and not thinking idle thoughts"
"There are three ways whereby a man may become great: being loyal, telling the truth and not thinking idle thoughts"
Trivia
- Cassius' brother, Lucius Cassius, sided with Caesar during the civil war.
- Cassius killed himself using the dagger he used to murder Julius Caesar.
- After Cassius' death, Brutus considered him to be the 'last of the Romans'.
- Cassius is on the lowest level of Hell alongside Brutus in Dante's Inferno for their betrayal of Julius Caesar.
- It is believed that Cassius died on the same day as his birthday.
- Cassius followed the philosophical teachings of Epicurus.
- Cassius finds himself as a heroic figure alongside his friend Brutus in the works of Shakespeare.