Brutus was the son of Marcus Junius Brutus and Cato Uticus' half-sister, Servilia. Considered a descendant of Lucius Junius Brutus, who expelled the last Roman king, Tarquinius the Proud. Opinions often differ on this issue. Some believe that the first consul Brutus was a patrician, and Caesar's murderer belonged to a plebeian family, presumably descended from one of the freedmen (just as the plebeian Claudian family descended from a freedman of the Claudian patricians). Brutus was adopted by his mother's brother, Quintus Servilius Caepio, and therefore received his name. For the second time he was married to Portia, daughter of Cato Uticus. However, there is another opinion regarding paternal ancestry. It is believed that Brutus’s ill-wishers, who were angry with him for the murder of Caesar, argued that, apart from his name, he had nothing in common with Brutus, who expelled the Tarquins, for, having killed his sons, that Brutus remained childless, and that the house of Caesar’s murderer was plebeian, and rose to senior positions only recently. However, the philosopher Posidonius says that only two adult sons of Brutus were executed, but there was still a third, very small, from whom the whole family descended. According to Posidonius, in his time there were several prominent people from this house who showed a clear resemblance to the image that stood on the Capitol.
And yet Brutus became the head of the conspiracy against Caesar. He received anonymous demands from various sides, reminding him of his origins from Brutus, the liberator of Rome from royal power, and prompting him to break with Caesar. Finally, Gaius Cassius Longinus attracted him to his side. The example of Brutus then prompted many noble Romans to join the conspiracy against Caesar.
But when Caesar was killed on March 15, 44 BC. e. , Brutus and the conspirators failed to captivate the people. Anthony, whose murder, together with Caesar, was prevented by Brutus himself, managed, by reading Caesar's will to the people, which provided the people with very significant sums, to arouse rage in the crowd and a thirst for revenge on his murderers.
Then Brutus went to Athens and captured Macedonia. Hortensius, who had until then ruled Macedonia, joined him. Owning all of Greece and Macedonia, Brutus became the head of a strong army, with which he defeated in 43 BC. e. Guy Anthony, brother of the triumvir, and took him prisoner. Then he moved to Asia and united with the victorious Cassius, together with whom he received from the Senate supreme power over all the provinces in the East.
In Rome, however, the triumvirs soon triumphed: Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus. All the conspirators were convicted, and an army was equipped against Brutus and Cassius. The latter moved back to Europe to repel the triumvirs. They crossed the Dardanelles and massed their army, 17 legions and 17,000 cavalry, on the plains of Philippi in Macedonia, where the triumvirs Antony and Octavian encountered them in the fall of 42 BC. e. In the first battle fought by Octavian, Brutus overpowered his troops; but Cassius was defeated by Antony and committed suicide. After about 20 days, Brutus was forced to yield to the demands of his army and give a second battle, in which he was completely defeated. With a few friends, he managed to escape death. Seeing, however, that his cause was irrevocably lost, he threw himself on his sword.
Only a few fragments of Brutus' speeches have survived; On the contrary, his entire correspondence with Cicero has been preserved and amounts to two books.
The authenticity of individual letters, however, was disputed, namely by Tanstall (Cambr., 1741 and Lond., 1744), Zumpt (Berlin, 1845) and Meyer (Stuttg., 1881); defenders of their authenticity were: Middleton (London, 1743), Hermann (Gött., 1844-45), Kobe (in “Mnemosyne”, 1879), Gaston Boissier (“Cicéron et ses amis”, Paris, 1865; 7th ed., 1884).
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- (85 43 BC) politician Not the dominance was eliminated, but the master was changed. (About Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus:) How, if he doesn’t want us, will we not exist? It's better not to be than to be with his consent. It was not slavery that was rejected, but the conditions... ... Consolidated encyclopedia of aphorisms
Brutus (lat. Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio, 85 42 BC) Roman senator known as the killer of Caesar. Contents 1 Family 2 Political activities ... Wikipedia
Marcus Junius Brutus Occupation: father of Marcus Junius Brutus Spouse: Servilia Children ... Wikipedia
Marcus Junius Brutus (lat. Marcus Junius Brutus): Marcus Junius Brutus (85 42 BC) Roman senator, known as the killer of Caesar Marcus Junius Brutus Senior Roman tribune 83 BC e., founder of the colony of Capua ... Wikipedia
- (85 42 BC), in Ancient Rome, the head (together with Cassius) of the conspiracy in 44 against Caesar. According to legend, he was one of the first to stab him with a dagger. Together with Cassius, he led the Republicans in the fight against the 2nd triumvirate; Having been defeated, he ended with... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Brutus Marcus Junius- Marcus Junius Brutus. Marcus Junius Brutus. (. BC) in Ancient Rome led () a conspiracy in 44 BC. against Julius Caesar. According to legend, he was one of the first to stab him with a dagger... Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History
- (85 42 BC) in Dr. Rome, the head (together with Cassius) of conspiracy 44 against Caesar. According to legend, he was one of the first to stab him with a dagger. Together with Cassius, he led the Republicans in the fight against the 2nd triumvirate; Having failed, he committed suicide... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
- (85 42 BC) in Ancient Rome he led (together with Cassius) a conspiracy in 44 BC. against Julius Caesar. According to legend, he was one of the first to stab him with a dagger... Historical Dictionary
- (Marcus Junius Brutus) (85 42 BC), Roman politician. In the struggle between Caesar and Pompey, B. stood on the side of the latter. After the defeat of Pompey at Pharsalus (48), B. was appointed governor by Caesar, who sought to attract him to himself... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Brutus Marcus Junius- (Brutus, Marcus Jonius) (c. 85 42 BC), leader of the conspiracy, one of the murderers of Julius Caesar. Cato's nephew, he was a conservative Republican. In civil wars took the side of Pompey against Caesar. After the Battle of Pharsalus, Caesar... The World History
The ancient Roman Empire was a powerful power that conquered 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 of these commanders is His murder is shrouded in many mysteries and secrets, but the only thing that remains unchanged is that his last words were: “And you, Brutus!” However, many wonder why this was the last thing that came out of the conqueror's mouth.
All of Brutus's ancestors were ardent fighters for freedom, defending the people from despots and actively promoting tyranny. His paternal grandfather, Lucius Junius Brutus, took part in the overthrow of Gaius Servillius Agala, and his father himself was killed for his views by Pompey the Great when Brutus was still a child. His mother's brother, the famous warrior Quintus Servilius Caepio, took him in to raise him.
Marcus Junius Brutus participated with his uncle in many battles, acting on the side of Pompey, opposing Caesar. It is unknown why after the defeat of Pompey’s army at Pharsalus, which took place in 48 BC. e., Caesar decided to save Brutus’s life, and subsequently appointed him to several serious positions at once. Already in 46 BC. e. he became proconsul, and in 44 BC. e. - praetor in Rome.
The ancient Roman emperor showed obvious favor to Brutus, but this only led to Caesar becoming the victim of an insidious conspiracy and being betrayed by a man who, it would seem, should be eternally grateful to him. However, Brutus became not only a participant, but also the head of the conspiracy. His ideological inspiration was Gaius Cassius Longinus, who wanted to kill the dictator. The days of the one who said: “And you, Brutus!” - were numbered.
In organizing the conspiracy, Brutus was guided not only by state motives, but also by personal ones. Caesar seduced his mother, Servilia, which disgraced and dishonored the young Roman senator. Some historians even believe that Brutus was the illegitimate son of the great commander, otherwise why would he sympathize with him so much...
The participants in the conspiracy were also senators, dissatisfied with the fact that Caesar sought to limit the full power of this government body and turn it into a monarchy. According to many political figures of those times, the ideal model was a government under which all segments of the population would be in harmony. With such a system, the existence of a tyrannical ruler, which, according to the senators, Caesar was, is impossible.
March 15, 44 BC e. Caesar said his last words, which became a catchphrase: “And you, Brutus!” The signal for the attack was given by the emperor's confidant Lucius Cimber. None of the conspirators wanted to single-handedly commit murder, so as not to take on the sin, so they agreed that each of them would strike Caesar with a stele, since they were not allowed into the Senate building with weapons.
After the blows of the first conspirators, the commander was still alive and tried to resist. When Brutus’s turn came to plunge the stele into his patron, Caesar cried out with great surprise: “And you, Brutus!” - because he did not have the slightest reason not to trust his pet, and he never expected such betrayal from him.
Even many centuries later, the words spoken by Caesar remain known throughout the world. Plutarch, who captured them on paper, and Shakespeare, who wrote the play “Julius Caesar,” contributed a lot to this. The catchphrase “And you, Brutus!” still symbolizes the betrayal and treachery of a loved one.
Son of M. Junius Brutus, plebeian tribune 83 BC. e., and Servilia (Plut. Brut. 2; Cic. Mil. 16; Brut. 222). In 67, apparently, he was adopted according to the will of his maternal uncle Kv. Servilius Caepio (Cic. Att. II 24, 2; Fam. VII 21; Phil. X 25; IG VII 383, cf. Geiger J. The Last Servilii Caepiones of the Republic // Ancient Society. 1973. Vol. 4. P 143-156). In 59, L. Vettie was accused of preparing an assassination attempt on Pompey (probably falsely), but the accuser retracted his testimony (Dio XXXVII 41, 2; Oros. VI 6, 7; Cic. Att. II 24). In 58-56. accompanied his uncle M. Cato on a trip to Cyprus (Plut. Brut. 3; Cat. Min. 36). In 54, the monetarium minted coins with portraits of his ancestors Lucius Brutus and Servilius Agala (RRC. 433). In 53 he held the position of quaestor; refused to go to Caesar in Gaul and went to Cilicia with his father-in-law Ap. Claudius; was engaged in usurious activities in Cyprus through the mediation of M. Scaptius and L. Gavia (Cic. Att. V 21, 10; VI 1, 4-6; 2, 8; 3, 5-6; Auc. Vir. Ill. 82, 3 - 4). Around 51 he entered the college of pontiffs (Cic. Ad Brut. I 5, 3; 15, 8). In 50 he defended Ap. Claudius from charges of extortion (Cic. Fam. III 10, 2; 11, 1-3; Att. VI 2, 10).
With the outbreak of the civil war in 49, he sided with Pompey and served as Sestius’s legate in Cilicia; then he went to Pompey in Macedonia; after the defeat at Pharsalus he surrendered and was pardoned by Caesar (Plut. Brut. 4-6). In 46-45. on behalf of Caesar, he ruled Cisalpine Gaul as a legate, possibly propraetor (Cic. Fam. VI 6, 10; 13, 10-14; Brut. 171; Att. XII 27; 3; Plut. Brut. 61, 6-7; App. BC II 111). In 44 he was appointed by Caesar to the position of city praetor (Cic. Att. XV 12, 1; 18, 2; XVI 1, 1; 2, 3; 4, 1; Fam. VII 21; Phil. X, 7; Vell II 58, 1; Plut. Caes. 57, 3; 62, 2; Brut. 7; 14, 4-5; App. BC II 112; IV 57; Dio XLIV 12, 3; 15, 4).
At the beginning of 44, he entered into a conspiracy against Caesar and on March 15, 44, together with other conspirators, killed him (Plut. Brut. 8-12; 18-19; App. BC II 113-115; Nic. Dam. Vit. Caes 24; Dio XLIV 14, 2; Eutrop. VI 25; Auc. Vir. Ill. 83; Oros. VI 17, 2). The Senate declared amnesty to all accomplices; but due to the strengthening of Antony and the growing hatred of the population of Rome towards the conspirators, Brutus, together with Cassius, was forced to leave Rome in April. For some time he was in Italy, transferring the duties of city praetor to Gaius Antony. In June, the Senate entrusted Brutus with the responsibility for grain supplies from Asia; in August appointed him proconsul of Crete (Cic. Att. XIV 4, 1; 5, 1; 7, 1; 10, 1; XV 4, 2; 10, 1; 11, 1-2; 12, 1; 20, 2 ; XVI 2, 4; 3, 6; Fam. XI 1; Phil. II 97; X 7- 8; XI 27; Plut. Brut. 18- 20; Caes. 67- 68; Cic. 42; Ant. 14- 15; App. BC II 148; III 2, 8, 12, 16, 23, 35; Flor. II 17, 1; Dio XLV 32, 4; XLVI 23, 3; XLVII 20-21; Auc. Vir. Ill. 82; 6).
Anticipating the inevitability of an armed conflict with the Caesarians, in August 44 Brutus left Italy, headed to Macedonia and began recruiting troops among the Romans studying in Athens; received significant financial reinforcements from M. Appuleius and G. Antistius Veta, quaestors of Asia and Syria. At the beginning of 43, he occupied all of Macedonia and Illyricum, besieged the proconsul G. Anthony in Apollonia and forced him to surrender. Having received news of this, the Senate, at the suggestion of Cicero, legitimized the position of Brutus by appointing him proconsul of Macedonia, Achaia and Illyricum. Later, Brutus probably received the supreme empire, extending to Asia. In correspondence, he categorically objected to granting honors to Caesar Octavian, but did not interfere in events in Italy and headed to the East, continuing to gather troops. He was proclaimed emperor for victories in Thrace (Cic. Att. XVI 7; Phil. I 8-10; X 9-13, 23-24, 26; XI 26-27; XIII 30-32; Ad Brut. I 2a, 1 ; 4a, 3; 7, 2; 9- 12; 14- 18; II 1- 6; Liv. Per. 122; Vell. II 62; Plut. Brut. 24- 27; Cic. 45, 1; App. III 24, 63-64, 79; IV 58, 75; Dio XLVI 40, 3; XLVII 21-25)
In August 43, Brutus and other killers of Caesar were declared enemies of the state under the law of Q. Pedia, consul-suffect, who received this position together with Caesar Octavian (RGDA 2; Liv. Per. 120; Vell. II 69, 5; App. BC III 95; IV 27; Dio XLVI 48-49; XLVII 22, 4) . In winter 43/42. Brutus crossed to Asia, met with Cassius in Smyrna, conquered the Lycians, gathering troops and money everywhere. The armies of Brutus and Cassius united at Sardis and crossed into Macedonia to fight the combined forces of Antony and Octavian. In the first battle of Philippi, Brutus defeated Octavian's army, but lost the second and committed suicide on October 23, 42 (Liv. Per. 122-124; Vell. II 69-72; Plut. Brut. 24; 28-53; Ant. 22; App. BC IV 65; 76-81; 87-114; 117-135; Flor. II 17; Dio XLVII 32-49; Eutrop. VII 3; Oros. VI 18, 13-16).
Denarius of Marcus Junius Brutus "Ides of March".
Illustration from the site http://www.trajan.ru/napoleon.html
Brutus Marcus Junius (85-42 BC), Roman politician. In the struggle between Caesar and Pompey, Brutus stood on the side of the latter. After the defeat of Pompey at Pharsalus (48), Brutus was appointed by Caesar, who sought to attract him to himself, governor in Cisalpine Gaul (46), then praetor in Rome (44). Together with Cassius, Brutus led a conspiracy (44) against Caesar. According to legend, Brutus was one of the first to strike Caesar with a dagger. Having left Rome after the assassination of Caesar, Brutus and Cassius led the Republicans in the fight against the second triumvirate (Octavian, Antony and Lepidus). Macedonia, Greece, Asia and Syria came under their rule. After the defeat at Philippi in the fall of 42, Brutus committed suicide.
Materials from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia were used.
Brutus Marcus Junius (85-42 BC). Descendant of Brutus Lucius, champion of the republic, who killed Julius Caesar along with Gaius Cassius (44 BC). Brutus was on Pompey's side in the civil war between Pompey and Caesar, but after Pompey's defeat he was forgiven by Caesar and even received a high position. Later, Brutus, under the influence of Cassius, led a conspiracy against Caesar. Brutus was guided by the idea of restoring the Republic. After Caesar's death, Brutus fled to Greece; he committed suicide after being defeated by the troops of Octavian and Antony. Brutus has long been remembered in history as an idealist and tyrannicide. He amazed Plutarch with his moral fortitude. For Shakespeare, Brutus was "the noblest Roman of all." The same feeling is felt in Michelangelo's bust of Brutus. However, Dante placed Brutus along with Cassius and Judas Iscariot in the last, fourth, belt of the ninth circle of Hell for betraying Caesar. There is a version according to which Brutus was the illegitimate son of Julius Caesar.
Who's who in the ancient world. Directory. Ancient Greek and Roman classics. Mythology. Story. Art. Policy. Philosophy. Compiled by Betty Radish. Translation from English by Mikhail Umnov. M., 1993, p. 44.
Marcus Junius Brutus (85-42 BC) - Roman commander and politician. His mother Servilia had a close relationship with Julius Caesar, so the Romans had reason to consider Marcus Brutus the son of Caesar.
Marcus Brutus received an excellent education in Greece, was friends and corresponded with Cicero. At the beginning of the Civil War 49-45. he, despite his dislike for Gnaeus Pompey, joined his party, but after the battle of Pharsalus he went over to the side of Julius Caesar. In 46, Marcus Brutus ruled Cisalpine Gaul, received the praetorship in 44, and later, together with Marcus Cassius, he organized a conspiracy against Caesar, as a result of which the dictator was killed on March 15, 44.
The supporters of Marcus Brutus failed to completely master the situation in Rome. The compromise between Mark Antony and the Caesarians, on the one hand, and Mark Brutus and Mark Cassius, on the other, was only a temporary respite. In view of the unrest in Rome, Brutus, Cassius and other conspirators hastened to leave for their provinces. Taking advantage of the removal of Mark Antony from Rome, Republican supporters in the Senate transferred military powers in the East to them. In 43, Brutus and Cassius agreed on joint action. Their army, consisting of 20 legions and numerous auxiliary troops, was well armed and trained.
Meanwhile, the triumvirs (Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus) triumphed in Rome; the conspirators were convicted, an army was raised against Brutus and Cassius. In an effort to seize the initiative, Brutus and Cassius moved to Europe. At Philippi in Macedonia in the fall of 42, their troops were defeated by the Caesarians. Seeing his cause lost, Marcus Brutus committed suicide.
Book materials used: Tikhanovich Yu.N., Kozlenko A.V. 350 great. Brief biography of the rulers and generals of antiquity. The Ancient East; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome. Minsk, 2005.
Read more about Dion's biography from Plutarch - in his " Brutus ".
Marcus Junius Brutus(lat. Marcus Junius Brutus; 85 BC, Rome - 42 BC, Philippi, Macedonia) - a Roman politician and military leader from the plebeian Junius family, known primarily as the murderer of Gaius Julius Caesar. In the early stages of his career, in the 50s BC. e., was considered a prominent speaker and received the honorary title princeps iuventutis - “first among the youth.” In the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, he sided with the latter (49 BC). After the Battle of Pharsalus, he went over to Caesar's side and took a prominent place in his entourage. Received praetorship in 44 BC. e. and was to become consul in 41. Despite this and his close relationship with Caesar (some sources report that Gaius Julius could be his father), Brutus became one of the organizers and direct participants in the assassination of the dictator, which occurred on March 15, 44 BC. e.
The goal of the conspirators was to restore the republic. But they did not receive support in Rome and were forced to leave Italy. Brutus left for Macedonia, where he gathered an army to fight the political heirs of Gaius Julius - Mark Antony and Caesar Octavian. Teaming up with Gaius Cassius Longinus, he fought his enemies at Philippi in November 42 BC. e., was defeated and died.
In Western culture, Brutus has become a symbol of betrayal.
Marcus Junius belonged to the noble plebeian family of the Junius. According to Dionysius of Halicarnassus, a representative of this family was part of the very first college of popular tribunes (493 BC); True, in historiography this is considered fiction and the first reliable information about the Junii dates back to the end of the 4th century BC. e. In 325 BC. e. one of the Junies reached the consulate for the first time. In the subsequent era (before the start of the Second Punic War), a number of representatives of this genus, regularly mentioned in the Capitoline fasts, had two cognomen at the same time: one of them is always Brutus, and the other is Bubulcus, Scaeva or Pera. At the end of the 2nd century BC. e. the first Brutus proper appear in the sources - the brothers Mark and Publius, who were tribunes of the people in 195 BC. e. The first of them, who later reached the consulate, became the ancestor of the subsequent Brutes. In historiography, two branches of this family are conventionally distinguished. Representatives of one of them wore the praenomen Decimus and received the consulate in each generation; their genealogy can be traced through sources. The Brutes from the second branch wore the praenomen Mark and did not rise above the praetorship; Only fragmentary information has been preserved about their genealogy.
In the 1st century BC. e. the plebeians Brutus already claimed descent from the patrician Lucius Junius Brutus, the legendary founder of the Roman Republic, who overthrew the last king Tarquin the Proud, who was his uncle; according to one of the works of Posidonius, a contemporary of Marcus Junius, who tried to eliminate some inconsistencies in the historical tradition, in addition to the two sons executed by Brutus the Ancient for participating in a monarchical conspiracy, there was allegedly a third, who became the ancestor of the subsequent Junii. The future assassin of Caesar supported this genealogy by placing the image of his legendary ancestor on the coins he minted in 54 BC. e. coins and on the wall of the tablinium of his own house.
In the Roman Antiquities of Dionysius of Halicarnassus, published under Augustus, the genealogy of Gens Iunia goes back to one of the companions of Aeneas, like the legendary genealogies of the Caecilians or Memmians; according to another version, the Italian autochthon Daphnis, who was killed by the Aetolian hero Diomedes, was considered the ancestor of the Junii.
Marcus Junius Brutus was the only child of the tribune of the people in 83 BC. e. of the same name. Brutus the Elder belonged to the Marian party, in 77 BC. e. supported the rebellion of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and was defeated and executed by Gnaeus Pompey the Great. For this, Brutus the Younger hated Pompey all his life.
Brutus's mother was Servilia, a representative of one of the most noble patrician families in Rome. She came from the Servilii Caepios; her father was the proconsul of 90 BC. e., who died during the Allied War, and his grandfather was the consul of 106 BC. e., the culprit of the defeat at Arausion. On her mother's side, Servilia was the niece of the tribune of the people of 91 BC. e. Marcus Livius Drusus; her half-brother was Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger. Having been widowed, Servilia married a second time - to a relative of her first husband, Decimus Junius Silanus. From this marriage three daughters were born, half-sisters of Brutus. Servilia was a very energetic and ambitious woman who had great influence on a number of prominent politicians in Rome, including her brother (from a certain point - the head of the conservative part of the Senate), her second husband (consul in 62 BC) and Gaius Julius Caesar, whom sources call her a lover.
