Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar, tragedy written by William Shakespeare c. 1599 concerning political rivalries.

Fearing that Julius Caesar will become a popular tyrant, Brutus and Cassius plot to assassinate him. On the day agreed for the assassination Caesar is nearly persuaded to stay at home by his wife Calphurnia's fateful dreams. He decides to go to the Senate, ignoring a soothsayer's warning and a letter that names all the conspirators, and is stabbed. Brutus calms the citizens attending Caesar's funeral and spares Mark Antony, Caesar's trusted companion, who then makes a speech that stirs up the crowd against the assassins. Antony makes a pact with Octavius, Julius Caesar’s nephew, and Lepidus to seize control of the Roman Empire while the mob riot and burn the conspirators' houses, and Brutus and Cassius flee to raise an army.

Overruling Cassius, Brutus decides to march against Antony and Octavius, and into a weaker position at Philippi. He attacks Octavius and wins, but Cassius panics, mistaking friendly forces for his foes, and orders his servant to kill him. Cursed by the ghost of Caesar, the battle turns against Brutus, who runs on to his sword.