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| The Death of Caesar painted by Vincenzo Camuccini in 1798 depicting the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BC: The Ides (middle) of March. |
The following is from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Julius Caesar.” The dialog shows Caesar ignoring a warning from an anonymous soothsayer.
CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
Soothsayer
Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR
What man is that?
BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.
CAESAR
Set him before me; let me see his face.
CASSIUS
Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
CAESAR
What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
Soothsayer
Beware the ides of March.
CAESAR
He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.
Sennet. Exeunt all except BRUTUS and CASSIUS
All this brings up the question what exactly are the Ides of March?
The Ides of March is a day on the Roman calendar that corresponds to March 15 (OK, we're a day late in posting this). It was marked by several religious observances and was notable for the Romans as a deadline for settling debts. In 44 BC, it became notorious as the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar.
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