US BRUTUS were the leaders in the
conspiracy to effect Caesar's death, Cassius, a former lieutenant of
Crassus, had shown great bravery in the war with the Parthians. At
Pharsalia he fought on the side of Pompey, but was afterwards pardoned
by Caesar. He was married to a sister of Brutus. The latter, a nephew
and son-in-law of Cato, had also fought at Pharsalia against Caesar, and
also been pardoned by him. Cassius, it was said, hated the tyrant, and
Brutus tyranny.

These conspirators were soon joined by persons of all parties; and men
who had fought against each other in the civil war now joined hands.
Cicero was not taken into the plot. He was of advanced years, and all
who knew him must have felt that he would never consent to the taking
the life of one who had been so lenient towards his conquered enemies.

On the morning of the IDES (15th) OF MARCH, 44, as Caesar entered the
Senate and took his seat, he was approached by the conspirators, headed
by Tullius Cimber, who prayed for the pardon of his exiled brother; and
while the rest joined him in the request, he, grasping Caesar's hand,
kissed his head and breast. As Caesar attempted to rise, Cimber dragged
his cloak from his shoulders, and Casca, who was standing behind his
chair, stabbed him in the neck. The first blow was struck, and the whole
pack fell upon their noble victim. Cassius stabbed him in the face, and
Marcus Brutus in the groin. He made no further resistance; but, wrapping
his gown over his head and the lower part of his body, he fell at the
base of POMPEY'S STATUE, which was drenched with the martyr's blood.

Great tumult and commotion followed; and, in their alarm, most of the
Senators fled. It was two days before the Senate met, the conspirators
meanwhile having taken refuge in the Capitol. Public sentiment was
against them. Many of Caesar's old soldiers were in the city, and many
more were flocking there from all directions. The funeral oration of
Mark Antony over the remains produced a deep impression upon the crowd.
They became so excited when the speaker removed the dead man's toga, and
disclosed his wounds, that, instead of allowing the body to be carried
to the Campus Martius for burial, they raised a funeral pile in the
Forum, and there burned it. The crowd then dispersed in troops, broke
into and destroyed the houses of the conspirators. Brutus and Cassius
fled from the city for their lives, followed by the other murderers.

As a gener