Beware the Ides of March: The History

What exactly is an "Ide" anyway? Well, if you were an ancient Roman, an Ide referred to the appearance of a full moon.

But, on March 15, 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated and the " Ides of March" became more than just planetary observations.

The Ides became a warning to future leaders, Charles McNelis, an assistant professor of classics at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., explained to National Geographic .

Octavian, Caesar's heir who was also known as Imperator Caesar Augustus, "seems to have been aware of the problems of presenting himself as Caesar had. … The Ides became a lesson in political self-presentation," McNelis said to National Geographic

 

Historians say Julius Caesar's desire to be a dictator for life and to be worshiped as a deity did not sit well with many in Rome.

The Roman government during his day was run by a mix of a long-established republican government headed by two consuls with joint powers. There also were praetors, consuls and a body of citizens forming the Senate who proposed legislation. General people's assemblies approved legislation by vote.

A dictator was simply a temporary office established for use only during times of extreme civil unrest.

Julius Caesar had gone too far with his hunger for power, which lead to his death.