The HBO series Rome dramatizes the murder of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March (see clip below).
The Murder of Julius Caesar.
It is ironic that this level of violence ushers in the Pax Romana that we have begun to discuss in class. What do you think motivates this murder? The perpetrators, led by Senator Brutus, made a conscious choice to murder Caesar in public in the Senate house. What does it possibly symbolize? Can we fairly call Pax Romana peaceful if this is how it begins? What motivates these Senators to kill Caesar? Could Pax Romana have happened without such violence?
Let's talk (reflect)...
33 comments:
I honestly think the the murder of Caesar was cruel. Just how everyone joined the stabbing of Julius Caesar without a second thought really sent shivers up my spine. I think this murder motivates the mind of the people and public. They all joined in with the murder and was encouraged by Senator Brutus. Their action shows their way of speaking their mind. I think this symbolizes them rebelling against Caesar.This violence is not a peaceful way to show Pax Romana. It was meant to be peaceful but it had violence. If there is violence then it isn't be peaceful. I think what motivated the Senators to kill Caesar was someone telling them or convincing them to do it. Pax Romana could have happened without the violence. It is called Roman Peace so it has to be peaceful not violent.
I agree with Celine,the murder of Julius Caesar was extremely cruel. Why did Julius Caesar have to die before Pax Romana started? Why did something so violent have to occur before an age of peace could begin? I think the motivation for the assassination was that they wanted a new leader. Personally, i think Pax Romana could've happened without the violence. I mean Pax Romana literally means Roman Peace and this was not at the least bit considered peaceful.
By today's standards, I don't think that there is any doubt that the murder of Julius Caesar was far from "peaceful". However, I would like to acknowledge some possibilities that may explain why this occurred and what it allowed to happen. One thought I have is that perhaps Senator Brutus knew that by having Caesar killed, his heir, Octavian, would step to power and usher in Pax Romana, by creating reforms to the Roman Empire that Caesar could not deliver on (despite how popular he was). Another one of my ideas is that Senator Brutus and his followers were corrupted (similar to some of our political officials today) by other influential figures in the Roman civilization, so that they murdered Caesar in order to gain more power for themselves. I personally find the second option less likely, simply because Caesar's murderers were his own friends, but if the first option is true, then I do think that it would've been harder for Pax Romana to begin without this cruel event.
I think that murder of Julius Caesar was very brutal. This was definitely not a peaceful start for Pax Romana, which means Roman Peace. I believe that they thought they need a new leader to start Pax Romana by killing Julius Caesar. I think Pax Romana would of never happened with Caesar still alive. Also their is really no other way to get Caesar out of power without violence. In my opinion I don't think could of over thrown Julius Caesar without murdering him.
I don't believe this is very unusual. Usually the person causing a problem to the people and there way of life is killed in order for there to be peace. The real problem is the peace never lasts. There always somebody ready to cause more problems for the people, people ready to start wars. The cycle goes on. But who will stop it.
In my opinion I think the death of Julius Caesar was probably something that needed to happen for Rome in order for them to achieve their Pax Romana or the Roman peace. I know this sound brutal but, a lot of time sacrifices are needed to make peace, or even just to achieve peace. If Julius Caesar was not assassinate and still remain in power then they could had a whole civil war between Julius and Senator Brutus over power probably. What I still want to know is, why kill Julius in public instead of putting poison in his drink while he at his home or killing him in his sleep?
I agree with Andrew. If they thought that killing him to have peace was a good idea then by their standards it probably was but today it is an awful idea. But apparently it worked, after murdering him brutally the got the peace the wanted.
Julius Caesar was a very powerful leader. With power there comes followers. These followers began to believe Caesar was no longer a good leader and started conspiracies about hi, which ultimately led to his death. Caesars death however resulted in a golden age of peace for romans. The death of Caesar reminds me greatly of the death of Christ. Christ died for the sins of man and as a result man is given life. In a way Caesar died for his people and as a result life was much better than before. Death must happen in order for new life to begin.
If a man is sick the sickness must die so the man can be healthy.
If a man hungers an animal must die so the man may eat and live.
In this case Caesar had to die so the people of Rome could Live, In Pax Romana
I think that the murder of Julius Caesar in public symbolizes the beginning of a rebellion. Julius Caesar was a well known person, and to murder him in public is a big risk. This could possibly symbolize that Senator Brutus didn't agree with things that Julius Caesar did, and that they were other people who felt the same way as Brutus. Pax Romana cannot fairly be called peaceful if it begins with murder. If they wanted the beginning of Pax Romana to be peaceful, then Julius Caesar shouldn't have been murdered in public, or at all for that matter. Pax Romana definitely could have happened without violence. Pax Romana means ¨Roman Peace¨, not ¨Roman Violence¨.
I think that Julius Caesars death symbolizes hatred. I think that people didn't like how he ran Rome and the only way to get rid of him was by killing him. The main thing that motivates the murder was when people saw others joining in to kill him they also joined. When They killed Caesar in public this represents overpower. This represents overpower because he knows that people will join in and help kill him. To the people of Rome, Yes because they didn't like Caesar. In our perspective no because you are killing the Empire of Rome.The main thing that motivates them is the way he ran the Roman Empire. No, because without violence people wouldn't get things that make them happy.
Pax Romana is a period of time in which Rome was in a state of peacefulness and prosperity. It has nothing to do with the actions of Rome’s past except for the murder that caused it. An example of this is a company that was strong but the owner, self-serving, was incapable of taking the company to the next level. The owner was assassinated, and his daughter took over, looking out for the company and employees, made the company extremely stable and expands it exponentially, entering it into a golden age of profitability.
Julius Caesar was an amazing leader who expanded the Roman Empire. He eventually became the ruler of Rome which wasn’t a problem to most people. As he continued to expand his realm of power, and made himself dictator for life. His people began to feel contempt towards him. He added to the contempt aimed towards him by being self-serving, and glorifying himself which in turn made many people angry. He turned the majority of the Senate who were loyal to him against him. Because of his behavior, Julius Caesar was violently murdered by some of the senators bringing in Pax Romana.
Pax Romana definitely could not have existed without such a violent death as Julius Caesar’s. The violence of Caesar’s death represented the hurdle that presented itself for one to pass through before it can come to its full being. To the senators that killed Caesar that was the moment that gave them the belief to re-build Rome. Caesar’s dictatorship was like a forest that stopped growing. His murder was like the fire that burned the forest down. After the death of Caesar there was Pax Romana. Just like the forest fire, after it stops burning, the forest begins to grown again going from little saplings to a strong, thick, and beautiful forest again.
I believe the death of julius caesar's death symbolized the ending of hatred that was in Rome and the start of Pax Romana which means Roman Peace. When they killed Julius Caesar was killed in public that was showing that the peace going to be all over. Also, you cannot say that Pax Romana was not pitiful according to something that happened before hand. So I believe that even though the death of Julius Caesar was veer brutal and cruel that does not change the fact that Rome was peaceful during the Pax Romana
The murder of Caesar was barbaric and inhuman. It was almost like a set up, the way Caesar walked out and all of a sudden all the men just came out and started attacking him. I believe the Pax Romana still could have evolved without the killing of Caesar.
The death of Caeser was cruel and unsettling, but not exactly uncalled for. If the Senate had asked Caeser to step down from his position do you really think he would have done it? Even if they had demanded he would have held his place, he's the one who put himself in the role of dictator for life. He was becoming very powerful very quickly. Before long he would become a problem, too much power in one persons hands. If they had waited it may have become to late to even kill him, Caeser being in too powerful of a position. During the time of Pax Romana, it was peaceful, just like the name means. If he was never killed, Rome may never had had peace. So no, the killing of Caeser does not symbolize peace in Rome, but it does symbolize Romes disparity for Rome to be led the peaceful way the senate believed that Rome could be led.
The death of Julius caeser was a simbolization of the hatred of Rome, and bringing it to the Pax Romana. In my opinion i thought that it was a cruel way to murder caeser, and also in pubic. why? some sacrifices had to be made in order to achieve Pax Romana.
I believe the death of Caesar Julius was brutal. For the fact that his most close acquaintance joined the plotting of his death. The decision of Senator Brutus to killed Caesar in public symbolizes his hatred towards tyranny, which Caesar was representing. He was a threat to the Roman Republic. I think it was Caesar Julius actions that caused his death. During his procedure in conquering parts of Rome, he showed that he was person to be feared. Killing men, women, and children and having sexual dominance over the people. Which was clearly viewed by the magistrate in the the Roman Republic. Not only was he a threat to the Roman Republic but to individuals which was another factors that lead to the plotting of his death. I think it was necessary for the death of Caesar Julius to take place in order for Pax Romana to happened overall the point of a republic government is to provide power to the people. And how Caesar was governing showed tyranny. I don't think Pax Romana would have happened without the use of violence because in order to maintain power you need to use violence one way or another.
Upon the mentions of Julius Caesar's murder being cruel, I do not think it was something that was utterly surprising during that time period. He became a bad man, as the people began showing contempt and hatred for his ways of ruling. The thirst for power could also certainly be the paramount factor for his death. Why Senator Brutus killed him specifically in public, I think it was to show his overthrow of Caesar and the power he possesses. The brutality of the people joining in on him can certainly represent that. It wasn't a very good beginning of Pax Romana but I think it was something that had to be done, to push everything onto a clean slate and start anew. It was what gave motivation to emphasize peace in Rome.
The thing is, Caesar was actually a strong, good leader. He was a good military strategist, and was able to conquer and expand his land. He made some reforms, too, like granting Roman citizenship to people in the provinces, expanding the senate, adding good relationships with other regions, and even creating jobs for the poor. However, as his power and success increased, nobles and senators began to fear losing their own influence. Out of this fear, they decided to kill him, and retain their own individual powers instead of risking it. Sure, Pax Romana may have started out because of this, but sacrifices need to be made to have peace. Although I do think that Pax Romana could have possibly happened without the murder of Caesar. He wasn’t a terrible leader, and appeared to treat his people well.
I feel like Caesar's death was brutal and untimely. Even though Caesar wasn't the best leader and may even be considered to be cruel it was uncalled for. Not only was Caesar was killed he was assassinated by his closest friends and allies. I feel like Caesar was assassinated in public to send a message to show that the people would revolt against an unfair leader. I think it's incredibly ironic that such a brutal death could lead to the Ramon age of peace, Pax Romana.
The death of Julius Caesar was despicable and brutal. How everyone jumped in to the stabbing is terrible. The motivation in my opinion for this murder was to get the one with power out. This symbolizes a turn from violence to peace. I believe that we can still call Pax Romana peaceful even though it started with such violence. Something has to happen in order for something else to happen like cause and effect. Because of the killing of Julius Caesar Pax Romana happened.
When you think about peace, naturally something negative has to happen. Which is why we make peace. Take a war for example. Two countries are fighting, and at the end there is hopefully peace to the solve the problem. Rome had a problem. The only way to solve the problem is to take down the "big guy." Which was Julius Caesar. Without taking out the point of authority. Romans could not put new rules in. Even though his death was uncalled for. It made a definant point in history. Without it we may be different. It's also a memorable point in history. I believe his death needed to happen. What do you think?
I do not agree with murder there's nothing anyone can say to say to me to justify with these men did however I agree with Sharif and Arshad that this was a sort of climax before a beautiful conclusion. Julius Caesar was slaughtered but his kingdom prospered without him more than they did with him so his death had a bright side, which pains me to say but it is what appears to be true. But I also agree with Nadia I don't believe that his death let alone his murder was necessary. I believe things could have changed some way without someone being murdered. I believe his power is what left him in harms way ironically. The feeling of being inferior or wanting your civilization to prosper may have been the motivation behind the men's murderous ways. Power can kill you I believe this tragic event symbolizes what can happen when a star gets gassed up and it explodes. I believe we can call Pax Romana peaceful despite the way began because is not always how you reach your goal as long as you're reach them. For example you can say your mom is a bad mom if she sells drugs to support , you it might make her criminal but not a bad mom.
I agree with Nadia, I believe that Julius Caesars death was an act of rebellion. To stab Julius in a public place was a way to show that even if you're powerful you can be brought down. This was not the best way to get rid of Julius as a leader and it is ironic that they were called Pax Romana (Roman Peace) for they went through the violent act of murder of one of their leaders. If they wanted a new leader they could have gone through a different process instead of stabbing Julius in the back (figuratively and literally). But, without the death of Julius would Rome be able to truly have peace?
-Kaia
I believe that the death of Julius Caesar explains how peaceful Pax Romana really was. Julius Caesar was stabbed several times to death which in my opinion was very cruel and violent. Of course with violence in Pax Romana it couldn't be truly peaceful. In my opinion, the action of people stabbing Julius Caesar was an act of rebellion. Due to Julius Caesar's death, I would say Pax Romana was not very peaceful and the thought of Roman Peace is a lie.
The motivation that comes from killing Caesar could have been power, I believe that with Caesar's power over Rome came with envy and thirst for where he stands.The perpetrators, led by Senator Brutus making the conscious choice to kill Caesar in public could symbolizes leadership being taken from Caesar along with his last breathes. Although Pax Romana "roman peace" seems like it wasn't peaceful, i think it was. There can't be peace if there's no conflict, meaning that if the Senator Brutus had not led the perpetrators to killing caesar, Pax Romana wouldn't have it's name. In the Romans eye Caesar's brutal death was a success or they may even say victory
The murder of Julius Caesar was very gruesome,but I am not surprised by this action. Events like this happen throughout history and are still happening today. I think there are multiple motivations but I believe fear is one that stands out. Senator Brutus feared Caesar he knew that he was a powerful man. The fact that they killed him in the Senate house is like their way of saying to Caesar you no longer have power here. I think it is fair to call it Pax Romana even though it started this way. We are viewing this as the third party but, if you try to see it from the senators point of view this man, this thing that you've feared, this burden, this obstacle, this nuisance is now gone from the face of the earth you are now free.That sounds peaceful. I believe peace is a state for mind. Pax Romana could not of happened without the murder of Julius Caesear because if he were kept alive the senators would have had that feeling of peace.
I think we could call Pax Romana peaceful if this is how it began because sometimes, you need a bad thing to happen in order for a good cause to occur. Pax Romana probably wouldn't have happened if there wasn't this violence because you would need to solve the 'problem' somehow and in this case, Julius Caesar was the 'problem'. The death of Julius Caesar could symbolize the change in the world we need to make in order for good things to happen. I think the need of order and stability motivated this murder.
The way I think of how Pax Romana began, is like how the United States began. The United States had to go to war against the British in order to become independent from Britain. In Rome, Julius Caesar was a powerful leader. His power could have posed as a threat to Rome. The Senate didn't want that; they wanted things to be handled by the people. A democracy. So they killed Caesar to halt that fear of a him gaining too much power. Here's my theory: to me, a powerful leader is a target for enemies. Enemies would want to conquer and/or fight for the territories that the leader possesses. If Rome wanted to be free from possibly going into war, the main cause(Julius Caesar) would have to be dealt with. I don't agree with them murdering him but it makes sense as to why they did it.
I believe they wanted to kill him because he was the ruler and they wanted to take his place. He was to power hungry which led the fellow romans to plan a conspiracy to murder him. Caesar was ambitious thats what lead him to get murdered but the romans who killed him are hippocrits because they are ambitious as well.
I think that the murder of Julius Caesar was quite evil or horrifying to our eyes but, maybe the reason they did it was good. Also that's how peace starts most time taken by fellow examples such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. This is what our society claims is making peace and obviously if it started in ancient Rome then this goes way back. So I kind of think although it was a cruel thing to do it was Rome's sacrifice for peace and new beginnings.
I believe that ceaser being killed was brutal. I agree with shay that they killed him because they wanted to take his place. In my opinion I don't think the Pax Romana would've never happened with him still alive. There seems to never be peace for a long period of time .
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