Ides of March Special – Was Julius Caesar’s Death More Important Than His Life?

“Men willingly believe what they wish.”

– (Julius Caesar, from Commentarii de Bello Gallico)

Today, the 15th of March seems to be quite uneventful. That is what Gaius Julius Caesar thought as well, on this exact day in 44 BC. 23 stab wounds later, do you still think that this day is insignificant?

It goes without saying that Julius Caesar was, is and continues to be one of the most influential historical figures of all time. And his assassination remains intimately intertwined with his legacy.

Which lead me to think, is Julius Caesar remembered only because of his brutal death?

As an ancient Roman history enthusiast, I’ve always found that Caesar had no shortage of ‘laurels’ to his name – much before the Ides of March. Though he was a charismatic and capable politician in his youth, it didn’t distinguish him from his contemporaries. However, from 57 BC onwards, we witness events that fill history books today. The Gallic Wars, The Civil Wars, and of course, his appointment as Dictator Perpetuo. The Gallic Wars alone would’ve been enough to cement Caesar’s name in history. He boasts one of the rare achievements of being both a celebrated general as well as statesman. It’s impossible to think of him only one while ignoring the latter.

Despite being a de facto ‘dictator’, Caesar implemented various policies for public welfare – promoting his image as a populare. Grain redistribution, anti-corruption laws, the expansion of citizenship laws, to name a few. Most modern legislation has its foundations in the policies he laid down. And let’s not forget – the Julian Calendar, the basic structure of which we still use today, was implemented by him. Forget having a day in your honour, it’s almost as if time itself bows down to his command.

That given, it seems like Caesar – assassinated or not – was destined to live on as a legend.

But when you think of Julius Caesar, what comes to mind first? Unless you’re me, it’s probably not his ingenious tactics at Alesia. When you think of a quote of his, does “Veni Vidi Vici” come to mind? “et tu, Brute?” seems more familiar, doesn’t it?

This is ironic, considering that the former is an authentic Latin quote of his, while the latter is from Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar”, which is purely fabricated.

That made me realize that our perception of Caesar now is mostly based of his personality in the play. Though the play maintains some accuracy, it exaggerates a various events and personas. It’s more focused on the events surrounding Caesar’s assassination, rather than the life of the man himself.

Some argue that Caesar was assassinated at the ‘right time’. Had he been in power for longer, his tyranny would have surpassed his virtue. Had he then been assassinated, we might have hailed the conspirators as restorers of the Republic, and cheered for Brutus and Cassius instead of Antony and Octavian.

Thus, Caesar’s assassination seems almost like a crowning. Personally, I don’t think he would have descended into despotism. The term ‘dictator’ in Ancient Rome didn’t have the same connotation it does today. Besides, Roman Emperors like Augustus also wielded absolute power, while fostering in a golden era of peace. It’s only that Caesar was blatant about his Imperium, a boldness which defined him. I’d like to add however, that my opinions are purely subjective; I’m not sanctioning any of his wrongdoings either.

Nonetheless, the play perpetuates the archetype of the fallen hero. From Achilles, to even Anakin Skywalker, the fallen hero is a complex yet compelling archetype. We love the idea of a character who is meant to be invincible, but eventually falls from glory. It’s eerily comforting to know that even the most powerful men inevitably meet their end. In fact, it makes them more human, and more likeable, compared to a flawless character. Caesar’s persona is the perfect synergy of man and myth. Legendary enough to inspire awe, but human enough to resonate with

Despite how multi-faceted his personality was, I feel that Julius Caesar is too often reduced to “the guy who got stabbed”. Far before his fall, he was the man who conquered Gaul, reformed the Calendar and altered Rome’s fate forever. Though most of us are aware that he was indeed a real historical figure, we have the slightest idea how impactful he was. Our mental image of Caesar is a literary archetype, not that of a Roman statesman and general. In all fairness, it’s only human nature to gravitate towards drama and tragedy instead of fact, regardless of how interesting reality may be.

The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones

– (spoken by Marc Antony, from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare)

From a more optimistic perspective, this dramatization has lead to countless forms of creative expression like paintings, literature, film and music, inspired by this trope. Such portrayals not only commemorate Caesar, but also bring to life the very human themes of honor, betrayal and legacy. They express our human desire to be remembered. The fear that only the evil we do will live after us.

Whether Julius Caesar knew it or not, he left behind a legacy which outlived him. The Ides of March only adds to our fascination about his tragedy. This ensuing archetype of his is less a biography, and more of a reflection of the human condition. Maybe it’s this very poignancy and humanity which sets him apart from other notable figures. But for those who know history, sometimes reality is better than fiction. It wasn’t a comet which prophesized Caesar’s greatness, he shaped his destiny with his own hands, while the heavens gazed in awe.