the Life of Brutus
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Birth name:
Born: Died: Cause of death: Era: Political affiliation: Major Conflicts: |
Marcus Junius Brutus
85 BC - Rome, Italy 23 October, 42 BC - Philippi, Macedonia (aged 43) Suicide Roman Republic Optimates Caesar's Civil War, Battle of Philippi |
Early Life (85-49 BC)
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Marcus Junius Brutus was born in 85 BC in the city of Rome. His father, of the same name, was killed by Pompey the Great for taking part in the rebellion started by Lepidus' father. Brutus' mother Servilia would become the mistress of Julius Caesar. After the death of his father, Brutus was adopted by his uncle in 59 BC and chose to change his name to Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus for a short while.
After receiving a good education Brutus started his political career by assisting Cato the Younger in governing the island of Cyprus. In Cyprus and the neighbouring province of Cilicia, Brutus managed to acquire a great deal of wealth by lending money to members of the Cypriot Senate at exceedingly high interest rates. Brutus returned to Rome after having made himself a rich man. Philosophical Studies
Brutus learned much from Cato, including the idea of stoicism. Stoicism was a belief that one should strive for virtue though living in harmony with nature and accepting that some things cannot be changed, no matter how hard one tries; only by doing this can true happiness be achieved. Brutus thought much about what he learned and Plutarch stated that he would then focus on studying philosophy and pursuing new business ventures in Rome and Athens.
It is possible that around this time Brutus was engaged to Julia, the daughter of Julius Caesar. The marriage would never take place however, as Julia would marry Pompey the Great as part of the agreement in forming the First Triumvirate. Return to Politics
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Bust of Marcus Junius Brutus. By Marie-Lan Nguyen (2006), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1228435
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Brutus eventually returned to politics and appeared in the senate where he sided with the Optimates. It is possible this decision arose from his time spent with Cato in Cyprus, who was a fellow member of this faction. Regardless of his reasoning, siding with the Optimates put him in direct opposition to the recently formed, and unofficial alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great and Marcus Crassus known as the First Triumvirate. Together the three men essentially ruled all of the Roman Republic.
Caesar's Civil War (49-45 BC)
Shortly after Crassus died at the Battle of Carrhae the First Triumvirate collapsed leading the way to a civil war that would engulf the Republic in 49 BC. With Caesar and Pompey now opposing each other, Brutus sided with Pompey - despite his responsibility for his father's death. The civil war built up to a climactic battle at Pharsalus in 48 BC with both Caesar and Pompey present, commanding their own armies. The battle was fierce and Pompey was expected to win due to his superior numbers but Caesar managed to turn the tide in his favour. Caesar ordered his soldiers to take Brutus as a prisoner and under no circumstances harm him, possibly because of Servilia's intervention, or due to their amiable relationship before the civil war. After the battle Brutus wrote to Caesar to apologise and was immediately forgiven, which is not surprising as Caesar was known to exonerate those who sought forgiveness.
Brutus managed to earn Caesar's favour as in 46 BC, when Caesar departed for Africa to pursue his last remaining opponents, he appointed Brutus as governor of Gaul, and in 45 BC he was nominated to serve as a praetor. Not only this, but Caesar appointed Brutus to be one of the consuls for 41 BC which would have been a great leap in his career had it not been for what would occur next.
Brutus managed to earn Caesar's favour as in 46 BC, when Caesar departed for Africa to pursue his last remaining opponents, he appointed Brutus as governor of Gaul, and in 45 BC he was nominated to serve as a praetor. Not only this, but Caesar appointed Brutus to be one of the consuls for 41 BC which would have been a great leap in his career had it not been for what would occur next.
Coin engraved with the image of Brutus. By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=630366
Assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BC)
Brutus had been a great supporter of Caesar's plans for the republic, and was appalled when in 44 BC Caesar made himself dictator for life and was deified. Although Caesar had been quietly growing his power base over a number of years, this action was the final straw. Many senators shared Brutus' concerns and before long a group were conspiring to murder Caesar before he could become too powerful. Brutus was approached by the conspirators, including his friend Cassius and mentor Cato, and was eventually persuaded to be part of the plot - realising that Caesar's behaviour went against the ideals and values of the Roman Republic.
On the Ides of March 44 BC, the plan came to fruition. That morning the conspirators learned that Mark Antony had heard of the plot and sent men to intercept him before he could warn Caesar of this threat. When Caesar entered the Senate building he was approached by a man named Tillius Cimber who was immediately dismissed. Cimber ignored the dismissal and grabbed Caesar's toga, signalling the assassination attempt. Soon the senators swarmed around Caesar stabbing at him in a frenzy, even injuring each other. Caesar fended off the attackers until he saw that Brutus had betrayed him, at which point he used his toga to cover his face and allow himself to die.
On the Ides of March 44 BC, the plan came to fruition. That morning the conspirators learned that Mark Antony had heard of the plot and sent men to intercept him before he could warn Caesar of this threat. When Caesar entered the Senate building he was approached by a man named Tillius Cimber who was immediately dismissed. Cimber ignored the dismissal and grabbed Caesar's toga, signalling the assassination attempt. Soon the senators swarmed around Caesar stabbing at him in a frenzy, even injuring each other. Caesar fended off the attackers until he saw that Brutus had betrayed him, at which point he used his toga to cover his face and allow himself to die.
Aftermath
Mark Antony fled the city after he learned he was too late to save his friend, but soon returned after he realised Caesar's allies were not being targeted, which was largely due to Brutus convincing his fellow conspirators that no more bloodshed was necessary. Brutus and the other conspirators had been confined to the Capitoline Hill ever since the murder because of unrest among the people of Rome who had adored Caesar. When Antony returned they came to an agreement: he would grant them amnesty for the murder and in return he would be allowed to retain his office of consul and also remain as leader of the Populares.
The truce between the two factions would not last long however. At Caesar's funeral Antony used his skills as an orator to give an impassioned speech and revealed the bloodied toga of his friend. The crowd was furious and started to attack members of the conspiracy, even setting fire to their homes. Brutus fled with his co-conspirator, Gaius Cassius Longinus, to Macedonia where they observed the events in Rome unfold from afar, preparing for the day when the supporters of Caesar came after them. While in the east the Senate assigned Brutus the province of Cyprus to govern which he used to fund his armies for the coming war. Brutus also used illegal methods to raise money for his army by seizing goods and military equipment being transported to Rome from Asia Minor.
The truce between the two factions would not last long however. At Caesar's funeral Antony used his skills as an orator to give an impassioned speech and revealed the bloodied toga of his friend. The crowd was furious and started to attack members of the conspiracy, even setting fire to their homes. Brutus fled with his co-conspirator, Gaius Cassius Longinus, to Macedonia where they observed the events in Rome unfold from afar, preparing for the day when the supporters of Caesar came after them. While in the east the Senate assigned Brutus the province of Cyprus to govern which he used to fund his armies for the coming war. Brutus also used illegal methods to raise money for his army by seizing goods and military equipment being transported to Rome from Asia Minor.
Rise of the Second Triumvirate (43 BC)
Brutus considered invading Rome while the city was still in chaos but he soon received word of an alarming revelation. Back in Rome, a new alliance had been formed between Antony, Lepidus and Caesar's great-nephew Octavian. The alliance would be known as the Second Triumvirate, and much like the first, it sought to dominate all aspects of the Roman Republic. Their first act was to declare Caesar's murderers as outlaws and sentenced them to death, revoking the previous amnesty that had been granted to them. The triumvirs had amassed a total of 19 legions, whereas Brutus and Cassius had 17 at their disposal. While not enough of a numerical superiority to guarantee victory, the advantage still lay with the triumvirs.
Battle of Philippi & Death (42 BC)
Before long Antony and Octavian journeyed east with their legions while Lepidus remained in Rome to rule. The two opposing forces clashed at the Battle of Philippi on 3 October, 42 BC. Brutus managed to defeat Octavian's forces in a skirmish, while Antony defeated the army under the command of Cassius. Cassius believed all to be lost and committed suicide not realising Brutus had been victorious. Brutus engaged in another battle some weeks later, this time being defeated by the triumvirs. Losing all hope, Brutus resigned himself to his fate, but refused to give the triumvirs the satisfaction of killing him. Brutus committed suicide by falling on his own sword, cursing Antony's name as he did so. At Antony's request, Brutus was wrapped in an expensive purple cloak and cremated - a sign of respect in Roman culture. His ashes were delivered to his mother.
Quotes by Brutus
'Punish, great Jove, the author of these ills'
- Brutus' curse upon Mark Antony "By all means must we fly; not with our feet, however, but with our hands" "Virtue, vain word, futile shadow, slave of chance! Alas! I believe in thee!" Trivia
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Brutus and his companions after the Battle of Philippi, 42 BC. By William Rainey, (1852-1936) - http://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-GB/search/artist/5713/rainey-william-1852-1936, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35131485
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- Brutus' mother was the mistress of Julius Caesar, and some scholars have indicated he may have been his real father.
- Brutus caused controversy when he divorced his wife in 45 BC so that he could re-marry. He gave no reasoning as to why he wanted the divorce, other than that he preferred the other woman.
- In Dante's Inferno, Brutus along with his colleague Cassius both reside on the ninth level of hell for their betrayal of Caesar.
- Brutus' wife was the only woman to have known about the plot to kill Caesar.
- Brutus was a keen fan of poetry and presented many original verses at libraries, however none survive today.
- Despite his learning, Brutus often did not display the qualities of a stoic. He was seen as an arrogant man who could be cruel to subordinates.
- Caesar's last words were infact not 'Et tu, Brute?', referring to his shock at Brutus' betrayal.
- In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, he portrays Brutus as a sympathetic character, having drawn on sources by Plutarch.
- Brutus' ancestor Lucius Junius Brutus was the lead Senator in the conspiracy that removed Tarquin, the last King of Rome, from power. Brutus himself would echo this even almost 500 years later, although he did so by murdering Julius Caesar.
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