Why was Caesar Assassinated?

Why was Caesar assassinated? We took a documentary crew to interview the senators who killed him, along with a surprise guest, to get to the bottom of it.

The Verdict (according to Cinna): It was pretty clear that Caesar was becoming a tyrant. He was making all these laws without consulting the Senate, and he was starting to act like he was above the law.

BRUTUS: I remember when I first met Caesar, he was just a young man, fresh off his victories in Gaul. Cassius and I were already established senators, but Caesar was determined to make a name for himself.

CASSIUS: Yeah, and let me tell you, he did just that. I mean, have you seen the size of those statues they built of him? Talk about an ego boost.

CINNA: (chuckling) Oh, Cassius, you're always so critical. But I have to agree, Caesar was quite the military strategist. I remember when he led the charge at Alesia, it was truly a sight to behold.

BRUTUS: Yes, he was certainly a brilliant commander, but I couldn't help but notice his ambition. He always had his sights set on greater things, even back then.

CASSIUS: Oh, you know how politicians are. Always angling for the next big thing.

CINNA: (laughing) Oh, come on now, let's not speak ill of the dead. Caesar may have had his flaws, but he was a great leader and a true patriot.

DWIGHT: Caesar wasn't even a blackbelt. I could have easily bested him in combat, but I respect his accomplishments. I mean, I may not agree with all of his decisions, but you have to admit, he was pretty good at conquering people.

BRUTUS: (laughing) Dwight, as always, your unique perspective is appreciated. But in all seriousness, eventually all that success started to go to his head. He began to crave more power, and that's when things started to get dangerous.

CASSIUS: Oh, I remember the days when Caesar would talk about "the Republic" like it was some holy relic. But then he started to make these grandiose claims about being a "dictator for life," and it became clear that his ambition had taken over.

CINNA: I think that's when a lot of us started to have reservations about him. But it was hard to speak out against him, because he was so popular with the people.

DWIGHT: (nodding) Yeah, it was like he had this cult of personality going on. He'd do something controversial, and the next thing you know, there's a parade in his honor.

BRUTUS: And that's what ultimately led to the civil war with Cato and his followers. It was a dark time for the Republic, and it's a shame that it had to come to that.

CASSIUS: But in the end, Caesar got what he wanted. Power, adoration, and a place in history.

CINNA: (sighs) I just wish it hadn't come at such a high cost.

DWIGHT: Well, I never believed in "The Republic" (makes mocking air quotes). I always knew that the best way to lead a country was with one strongman like Caesar. Look at Germany. They were a mess until Hitler came along.

BRUTUS: (shocked) Dwight, please, let's not make comparisons like that. Caesar may have had his flaws, but he was still a great leader and a hero to many. However, after he consolidated power at the end of the civil war, I became worried.

CINNA: (nodding) Yeah, it was pretty clear that he was becoming a tyrant. He was making all these laws without consulting the Senate, and he was starting to act like he was above the law.

CASSIUS: That's when Brutus and I started to talk about taking action. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but we couldn't just sit back and watch Caesar destroy the Republic.

CINNA: (nodding) Yeah, it was a tough decision, but we knew it was the right thing to do. And in the end, we were able to do what needed to be done.

BRUTUS: (nodding) Yes, that's exactly right. And I think that's something that Caesar would have understood. Even in his ambition and tyranny, he would have known that it was for the greater good of the Republic. It was a sacrifice that had to be made, and I believe it was the right one.

CAESAR: (scoffs) Please! These murderers talk about "sacrifice" and "greater good" as if they had any noble intentions. They were nothing more than envious, power-hungry senators who couldn't stand the fact that I had the support of the people. They killed me out of jealousy and fear, not out of love for the Republic. And history will remember me as the great leader and hero that I was, not as the tyrant they try to paint me as.

BRUTUS: We decided that it should happen on The Ides of March.

CASSIUS: Yes, it was the perfect opportunity. Caesar would be in the Senate for a meeting and we knew he would be vulnerable.

CINNA: We knew he wouldn't have bodyguards with him, because he wanted to be among the people.

CAESAR: I never believed in bodyguards; a good general is always prepared to defend himself. But these cowards took advantage of that, and stabbed me in the back.

DWIGHT: (nodding) Yeah, they snuck up on him and stabbed him like a bunch of snakes. I would have taken them all on in a fair fight.

CASSIUS: (shaking his head) It was not a fair fight, Dwight. Caesar was surrounded and outnumbered.

BRUTUS: (nodding) Yes, it was a difficult decision, but it had to be done. We couldn't let Caesar continue down the path of tyranny.

CINNA: (nodding) And in the end, it was for the greater good of the Republic.

CAESAR: (scoffs) Greater good? You call my murder for the greater good? You will be remembered as traitors and murderers, not as heroes. And the Republic will crumble without my leadership.

BRUTUS: (shaking his head) I disagree, Caesar. The Republic will survive and thrive without one man holding all the power. It's the principles of democracy that will guide us, not the ambition of one man.

CASSIUS: (nodding) Yes, and it's time for the Senate to reclaim its power and govern with the people's best interests in mind.

CINNA: (nodding) And that's what the assassination of Caesar was truly about: preserving the Republic and protecting the people.

DWIGHT: (nodding) Yeah, it's all about power. I respect the power grab and the way they did it.

CASSIUS: (shaking his head) Dwight, please. It was not a power grab. It was an act of patriotism and sacrifice.

BRUTUS: (nodding) Yes, we did what we had to do to save the Republic. And I believe that in the end, history will judge us kindly for it.

CAESAR: (scoffs) You believe that? You will be remembered as traitors and murderers, not as heroes. And the Republic will crumble without my leadership.