RVRGIRL
Taurus
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Poopsie Bubble Buns
 
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 2,220
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Post Rank: 29
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Posted: Mar. 15 2007,7:37 pm |
Post # 15 |
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Beware the Ides of March
Once, when I told someone my birthdate, They said, "Good grief! Don't tell me that when Caesar was burned, they raised you!"
For I was born on the Ides of March. The middle day of the month. It is the day that Julius Caesar was warned against 2000 years ago. He was celebrating his victory over his adversary Pompey, when a stranger pushed through the crowd, pointed at Caesar and warned, "Beware the Ides of March."
So what happened on the Ides of March? It is a tale of treachery and intrigue. Of false friends who would pat your back in front of your face, and slit your throat behind your back. Let me take you back in time ….
Foreboding
The year is 44 BC. The 15th day or the Ides of March is ushered in by a violent electrical storm. The superstitious citizens of Ancient Rome fear that the storm is an omen of impending doom.
Julius Caesar, ruler and dictator of Rome, is preparing to leave for a Senate meeting, where it has been rumored he is likely to be proclaimed as king.
His wife pleads with him, "You mustn't leave the house today. I've had a dream. Something terrible is going to happen."
Caesar scoffs as he fastens his purple toga.
"Don't go," begs his wife. "It's the Ides of March. Remember, the soothsayer warned you, "Beware of the Ides of March."
"A lot of nonsense," laughs Caesar, but he feels uneasy and calls on his priests to make a sacrifice to foretell his fate.
When they examine the entrails of the sacrificed creature and find its heart is missing. This is very bad omen.
"Call Antony," orders Caesar. "Tell him to dismiss the Senate."
The Plot
Meanwhile, a treacherous plot is afoot.
Cassius, who has a history of jealous malicious acts, has spent the stormy night persuading Caesar's friend Brutus to take part in an assassination plot. Brutus agrees that for the good of Rome, Caesar must not be allowed to rule.
They send a messenger to ensure that Caesar goes ahead with the senate meeting. The messenger talks Caesar out of his fears. "What will your enemies say," he asks, "if you postpone the senate until your wife has better dreams? You should at least appear and adjourn the Senate in person."
Caesar feels reassured until on the way to the Senate, he meets the soothsayer - the very one who had warned him, "Beware the Ides of March."
As he passes, Caesar calls in jest, "Well, the Ides of March are come."
"Yes, they are come," says the soothsayer, "but they are not past."
At the Senate
The Senate is held in the theatre of Pompey. As he crosses the marble courtyard, Caesar glances at the imposing statue of Pompey. He and Pompey had ruled Rome together, until Caesar defeated Pompey and caused his death.
The Senate rises to show respect for Caesar. His most trusted senators - those, who have taken oaths to protect him with their lives, stand around the chair where he is seated. The folds of their robes conceal the daggers they grasp in their hands.
Someone comes forward with a petition. Caesar impatiently waves him away, but the man boldly approaches, takes hold of Caesar's shoulder, and rips his robe away from his neck.
"This is violence!" shouts Caesar.
The Attack
Another man slips behind Caesar and with a sweep of his dagger, stabs him just below the throat.
"What does this mean?" shouts Caesar. He grasps the blade in both hands. Another dagger pierces his breast.
He is enclosed on every side. - whichever way he turns he sees daggers levelled at his face, his eyes, his throat. Blood splatters the frescoed walls. Even his attackers are wounded as they all lunge at him with their daggers.
Caesar resists and fights with all his might. He calls for help and dodges to avoid the blows.
Then he sees Brutus - his old friend - with dagger drawn and a look of evil intent in his eyes.
"You too, Brutus?" cries Caesar. He covers his face with his robe and falls into the spreading pool of blood at the foot of Pompey's statue.
Chaos
Brutus turns in triumph to address the Senate, but the crowd has fled in panic.
Throughout the city, people are running. Some run away. Others run to see the spectacle then run back again to report the news. Shops are hastily closed and houses shut up. Caesar's friends go into hiding.
The entire city of Rome is in shock.
The Funeral
But when Caesar's will is read out, it is found that a considerable legacy had been left to each Roman citizen. This galvanises the city into action. Caesar must be given a hero's funeral.
They heap together a pile of benches, bars, tables - whatever they can get hold of - They build a funeral pyre three stories high. They place the body of Caesar on top and set it on fire.
Then the mob takes burning torches from the fire and burns the houses of the conspirators. Some run up and down the streets trying to find these men so they can tear them into pieces. But they are all in hiding.
It is a tale of treachery and treason. It is also a tale of retribution. Later, after a defeat in battle, Cassius commits suicide with the same dagger he used to stab Caesar, and Brutus kills himself with his own sword after seeing Caesar's ghost.
"Beware the Ides of March." The phrase is now used as a warning against impending calamity.
But no one was warned when I came into the world.
 Thats "MRS" RVRGIRL 2 you..... "When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt."
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