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As Rome became more powerful and spread
her rule over many countries, the rich aristocrats lost much of
their love and pride for Rome itself. Instead of working for the
good of he people, they divided into different parties, each
under its own leader. These group often fought against one
another.
This story begins at a time in the history of
Rome when Julius Caesar was the most powerful man in the State.
Caesar and one other great leader, Pompey, had just fought a
battle. Pompey had been defeated and killed. Caesar then
returned victoriously to Rome.
Some people in Rome believed that, at that time,
the rule of one able man who cared about the good of the people
would have been best. However, there were many who did not share
that view. They wanted to keep to the old from government in
which Rome was ruled by the Senate.
When Julius Caesar entered Rome after his victory
over Pompey, the people crowded the streets to honors, welcome
and praise him as a victorious hero. They were according to the
custom, given a public holiday. Not long before, they had
praised the many victories of pompey's who had won large areas
of land for Rome in the east. But now, soon forgetting Pompey's
services, the people were gathering in the streets to greet
their new hero and Pompey's enemy Julius Caesar.
As they gathered they were met by two of the men
who spoke for the ordinary people in the government-the
tribunes. The tribunes scolded the idle people for forgetting
their loyalty to Pompey, whom they had once followed. What hard
hearts you cruel men of Rome have! one of them said. Don't you
remember how much you loved Pompey? When he returned to Rome
from his victories, you used to climb to the roofs and onto the
tops of walls and sit there all day. patiently waiting to see
him. Now you put on your best clothes, cover the streets with
flowers and honor the man who has killed him!
The tribunes and then take all the political
power in Rome for himself. They were afraid he would become a
tyrant. They did not want the citizens to seem too welcoming to
Caesar, so they tried to stop them from gathering to greet him.
Their words had little effect, though. The people of Rome
thought Caesar was a great general, and they wanted to see him.
Caesar entered the city of Rome in a public
procession, accompanied by the leading citizens. There was Mark
Antony, Caesar's chief officer in his battles. But there Brutus
a leading senator and his trusted friend. But there were also
some who were jealous of Caesar's success and popularity. As the
ancient custom was for Rome to be ruled by the Senate, it seemed
a dangerous thing to allow one man alone to have too much power
over the State, even if he was wise and loved Rome. So Caesar
had enemies among the senators.
 As the procession moved through the streets, a
fortune-teller made his way out of the crowd towards Caesar. He
called Caesar by name, and warned him twice to be especially
careful on the day known as the Ides of March. But Caesar would
not listen to him, saying He is a dreamer, So the procession
continued.
Brutus left the procession because he was
troubled by certain thoughts and feelings. He found himself
alone with a senator named Cassius. This man had long been a
secret enemy of Caesar, although in public he pretended to
honour him. As they talked together, Cassius soon discovered
that Brutus was afraid the people might ask Caesar to be king of
Rome Although Brutus loved and honoured Caesar, he feared that,
as king, Caesar might misuse his power. Seeing Brutus's fears,
Cassius began to tell Brutus certain facts which he hoped would
make him distrust Caesar even more, and doubt his ability as a
leader.
He told Brutus how Caesar had challenged
him one day to swim across the River Tiber. Cassius had jumped
in straight away, fully dressed, calling to Caesar to follow.
They had both swum strongly in the rough water at first, but
before they reached the far side, Caesar lost his strength and
was unable to continue. 'Help me, Cassius, I am sinking, 'he
cried out. He might have drowned, but Cassius rescued him. Then
there was the time when Caesar was with the army in Spain. He
caught a fever. Cassius saw him trembling, and white-faced. He
cried out, 'please bring me something to drink, 'like a sick
child. Cassius said he was amazed that such a weak man could now
be the master of the whole world. He wanted Brutus to believe
that Caesar was no better than most men and should therefore
have no right to rule like a god over others.
Cassius said that no noble Roman
could allow the Roman people to be the slaves of any single man,
and his warnings increased Brutus 's secret fears for the future
of Rome. Brutus promised Cassius that he would consider what he
had said. To himself, Brutus thought that he would rather be a
simple farmer than a citizen of Rome if Caesar really did become
all-powerful. They talked about this seriously for a long time.
 Meanwhile
loud shouts of praise from the citizens sounded in the distance,
where public games were being held in Caesar's honour. Soon
afterwards the procession, returning from these celebrations,
moved past Brutus and Cassius. Caesar had a sick, excited
expression on his face, and most of the others with him seemed
to be quite worried.
Caesar saw Cassius watching him. He turned
to his friend, Mark Antony.
Let me have fat men around me, he said. The
sort of people who sleep well at night. That Cassius has a thin
hungry look about him. He thinks too much. Men like him are
dangerous.
Oh there is no need to fear him, Caesar
Antony repiled. He's not dangerous. He is a noble Roman, and he
respects you.
Well I wish he were fatter, Caesar repiled.
Of course, I am not afraid of him, but if i were afraid, I don't
know anyone I would fear more than Cassius. He reads a great
deal, you know. He watches everything. He understands exactly
what people are thinking. And he is much too serious. Henever
hoes to the theatre, as yu do. Antony. He never enjoys listening
to music. He hardly every smiles, and when he does, you can see
he hardly ever smiles, and when he does you can he is surprised
with himself for finding anything to smile about. But the worst
thing about people like him, Antony is that they are never happy
when they meet people greater than themselves. That is why they
are so dangerous.
Antony was about to say something but
Caesar quickly added, Of course, I am only speaking about what a
careful man should fear, not speaking about what a careful man
should fear not what I fear myself. fter all I am Caesar. Now
tell me what you think-of him-but first come over to my right; I
am a little deaf in my left ear.
As the procession passed by, Brutus caught
the cloak of one of the senators and pulled him aside, What has
been happing, Casca? he asked. Why does Caesar look so sad?
Oh it's nothing very interesting, Casce
replied. Mark Antony offered Caesar a crown. He did it three
times.
Each time Caesar refused it but I don't
think he really wanted to. The people loved wanted to. The
people loved him for refusing to. of course. Each time they
cheered and clapped and threw their hats into the air. And then
Caesar fell to the ground in a faint.
That's quite possible said Brutus. He
suffers from the falling sickness from time to time.
When he came to himself again, continued
Casca he said if he had done anything wrong, he hoped the people
would excuse him because of his sickness. Three or people women
standing near me cried out, Oh the poor man, and forgave him
with all their hearts. But there is no need to take any notice
of their hearts. But there is no need to take any notice of
that. If Caesar had stabbed their mothers they would have
forgiven him just stabbed their mothers they would have forgiven
him just as much!
And after that he came away?
That's right.
Casca's account f the offering of the crown
made Brutus distrust Caesar's ambition even more.
 After
the three had separated and gone to their homes, Cassius went a
step further in his plan to make Brutus suspicious of Caesar's
ambitions. He sent some letters to Brutus which looked as if
they came from several writers. All hinted at how the people of
Rome looked to Brutus for protection against Caesar, who they
thought was an enemy of Rome.
Later that night there was a terrible
storm. Another senator, Cicero was hurrying home through the
dark streets when he met Casca looking quite frightened and
carrying a sword.
Why what is the atter Casca? he asked. Why
are you so breathless and why are you staring like that?
Doesn't it frighten you? replied Casca. Oh
I have seen terrible storms before, but never one as bad as this
my friend. I actually saw fire dropping down from the sky just
now. There is a roit in Heaven. The gods are at war. I tell you;
or else they are so angry with the world they want to destroy
it.
Cicero was amused at Casca's fright. He
thought a storm was just a storm. Have you seen any other
strange things? he asked. He enjoyed listening to Casca's tales,
even if he did not believe in them.
I have! Casca had much to tell. I saw one
of our slaves hold up his left hand. It burst into flames and
burnt as bright as twenty torches joined together, and yet he
felt no pain. His skin was not hurt at all. And then as I was
walking past the Capitol, I saw a lion. It stared at me and went
on. I have not put my sword down since. And after that, I came
across a crowd of women. There must have been a hundred or more
of them- all terrified. They said they had seen men covered in
flames, walking up and down the streets. And yesterday, at noon,
someone saw an owl in the marketplace. Now you never see owls
which are night birds in the middle of the day.''
When he came to himself again; continued
Casca, he said if he had done anything wrong, he hoped the
people would excuse him because of his sickness. Three or four
women standing near me cried out, In the poor man, and forgave
him with all their hearts. But there is no need to take any
notice of that. If Caesar had stabbed their mothers they wood
have forgiven him just as much!
I'm sure there must be some natural
explanation. No Cicero. When so many strange things occur all at
once it must mean something awful is going to happen.
Well these are certainly amazing times we
live in, Cicero replied. But people often put a special meaning
on things which have nothing to do with the things themselves.
Then changing the subject, he asked, Is Caesar going to the
Capitol tomorrow?''
Yes. I heard him ask Antony to tell you
meet him there.
Goodnight then, Casca, Cicero replied. This
is no weather to be walking about in.
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