The ancient Roman empire was a powerful power, conquering many lands. An important role in the creation of such a large state was played by both monarchs and generals who, at the head of their armies, conquered foreign territories. One of the most famous such commanders is Gaius Julius Caesar. His murder is shrouded in many secrets and secrets, but only that his last words remain: "And you, Brutus!" Nevertheless, many are wondering why this was the last thing that flew off the lips of the great commander and conqueror.
Mark Junius Brutus
All the ancestors of Brutus were ardent freedom fighters, defending the people from despots and actively promoting tyrannical struggle. His paternal grandfather, Lucius Junius Brutus, became a participant in the overthrow of Guy Servillius Agal, and his father himself was killed for his views by Pompey the Great when Brutus was still a child. His mother’s brother, a well-known warrior Quintus Servilius Cepion, took him to his upbringing.
Mark Junius Brutus participated with his uncle in many fights, speaking on the side of Pompey, the warring Caesar. It is not known why after the defeat of the army of Pompey under Farsal, which took place in 48 BC. e., Caesar decided to save Brutus’s life, and subsequently still appointed him immediately to several serious posts. Already in 46 BC e. he became proconsul, and in 44 BC e. - praetor in Rome.
Caesar and Brutus
The ancient Roman emperor showed Brutus an obvious disposition, and this only led to the fact that Caesar was the victim of an insidious plot and was betrayed by a man who, it would seem, should be infinitely grateful to him. However, Brutus became not only a member, but also the head of the conspiracy. Guy Cassius Longin, who wanted to kill the dictator, became his ideological inspiration. Days of the one who said: "And you, Brutus!" - were numbered.
Conspiracy
In organizing the conspiracy, Brutus was guided not only by state motives, but also by personal ones. Caesar seduced his mother - Servilia, which dishonored and dishonored the young Roman senator. Some historians even believe that Brutus was the illegitimate son of a great commander, otherwise why would he sympathize with him so ...
The senators were also participants in the conspiracy, dissatisfied with the fact that Caesar sought to limit the fullness of power of this state body and to turn the Roman Empire into a monarchy. According to many political figures of those times, the ideal model of government was power, in which all segments of the population would be in harmony. With such a system, the existence of a tyrannical ruler is impossible, which, in the opinion of the senators, was Caesar.
Murder
March 15, 44 BC e. Caesar said his last words, which became the catchphrase: "And you, Brutus!" The signal to the attack was given by the emperor's attorney Lucius Zimber. None of the conspirators wanted to commit the murder single-handedly, so as not to commit a sin, so they agreed that each of them would strike Caesar with the help of a stylo, since they did not allow weapons into the Senate building.
After the blows of the first conspirators, the commander was still alive and trying to resist. When Brut's turn came to stick a stylo into his patron, Caesar cried out with great surprise: “And you, Brutus!” - since he had not the slightest reason not to trust his favorite, and he did not expect from him such a betrayal.
Even many centuries later, the words spoken by Caesar remain known throughout the world. A lot of this was facilitated by Plutarch, who captured them on paper, and Shakespeare, who wrote the play “Julius Caesar”. The catch phrase "And you, Brutus!" still symbolizes betrayal and treachery of a loved one.