Marcus Junius Brutus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marcus Junius Brutus
Marble bust of Brutus, National Museum of Rome.
Born	June 85 BC Rome
Died	October 23, 42 BC (aged 43) Philippi, Roman province of Macedonia
Occupation	Politician, jurist, military commander
Known for	Assassination of Julius Caesar
Movement	Liberatores

Marcus Junius Brutus (born around 85 BC – died 42 BC) was an important politician in the late Roman Republic. He is most famous for being a main leader in the plot to kill Julius Caesar.

Brutus's Early Life and Education

Marcus Junius Brutus was born in Rome around 85 BC. His father, also named Marcus Junius Brutus, was a Roman politician. Sadly, his father was killed in 78 BC. Brutus's mother, Servilia, was the half-sister of a famous Roman named Cato the Younger.

Brutus was raised by his uncle, Cato the Younger. His uncle taught him about Stoicism, a way of thinking that teaches self-control and strength. Later, Brutus was adopted by a relative of his mother. He then added "Caepio" to his name to honor his adoptive father. Brutus also studied philosophy and public speaking in Athens, which was a center of learning.

Brutus's Career in the Senate

When a civil war started in 49 BC, Brutus chose to support Pompey the Great. Pompey was Caesar's enemy at the time. During the Battle of Pharsalus, Caesar told his soldiers not to harm Brutus if they captured him.

After Pompey's defeat, Brutus wrote to Caesar. Caesar quickly forgave him. Caesar even brought Brutus into his close group of advisors. He made Brutus governor of Gaul when Caesar went to Africa. In 45 BC, Caesar chose Brutus to be a city praetor for the next year. A praetor was an important Roman official, like a judge.

Brutus's Family Life

In 54 BC, Brutus married a wealthy woman named Claudia. They had at least one son together. In 45 BC, Brutus divorced Claudia. He then married his first cousin, Porcia Catonis. She was the daughter of his half-brother, Marcus Porcius Cato. They also had at least one son.

Some people were surprised by Brutus's divorce. He did not give a clear reason for leaving Claudia. His mother was also upset about the marriage. She felt that Brutus cared more for Porcia than for her.

Brutus and Julius Caesar

Brutus's mother, Servilia, had a close relationship with Caesar. Some old stories even suggested Caesar might have been Brutus's father. However, most historians do not believe this. Caesar was only 15 when Brutus was born.

Brutus and Caesar were not related by blood. But they knew each other well. They were also political allies before the assassination.

The Plot to Kill Caesar

Many senators began to worry about Caesar's power. He had been made Dictator for life. Brutus was convinced to join a secret group planning against Caesar. Eventually, Brutus decided to act. His wife, Porcia, was the only woman who knew about the plan.

The group planned to kill Caesar on March 15, known as the Ides of March. On that day, Caesar was late to the Senate. His wife tried to convince him not to go. The plotters worried their plan had been discovered. But Brutus insisted they wait for Caesar. When Caesar finally arrived, they attacked him. The attackers were so many that they even accidentally wounded each other. Brutus himself was said to have been wounded in the hand.

After Caesar's Death

After Caesar was killed, the Senate offered forgiveness to the assassins. This idea came from Caesar's friend, Mark Antony. But the Roman people were very angry. Because of this, Brutus and the other plotters had to leave Rome. Brutus went to live in Crete from 44 to 42 BC.

In 43 BC, Octavian became a Roman consul. One of his first actions was to declare Caesar's killers to be enemies of the state. Cicero wrote to Brutus. He explained that Octavian and Mark Antony's armies were divided. Antony was trying to take over the province of Gaul. Octavian fought Antony and defeated him. When Brutus heard that neither Antony nor Octavian had a large army to defend Rome, he gathered his own troops. He had about 17 Roman legions.

When Octavian heard Brutus was coming to Rome, he made peace with Antony. Their combined armies, about 19 legions, marched to meet Brutus and Cassius. The two sides fought two battles known as the Battle of Philippi. The first battle was on October 3, 42 BC. Brutus defeated Octavian's forces. But Cassius was defeated by Antony. Cassius then took his own life, thinking Brutus had also lost.

The second battle was on October 23, 42 BC. This time, Brutus was defeated. After the loss, he fled into the nearby hills with only a few legions left.

Brutus's Death

Brutus knew his army was defeated. He knew he would be captured. So, Brutus took his own life in October 42 BC. This was just two and a half years after Caesar's assassination.

According to the historian Plutarch, Brutus felt very sad and worried after killing Caesar. He had bad dreams and saw visions of Caesar's ghost. He thought these were signs of punishment from the gods. It is also believed Brutus felt guilty for killing Caesar.

As a sign of respect, Antony ordered Brutus's body to be wrapped in his most expensive purple cloak. This cloak was later stolen, and Antony had the thief executed. Brutus was cremated, and his ashes were sent to his mother.

Important Dates in Brutus's Life

• 85 BC: Brutus was born in Rome.
• 58 BC: He became an assistant to Cato, the governor of Cyprus. This helped him start his political career.
• 53 BC: He was given the role of quaestor in Cilicia. A quaestor was a financial officer.
• 49 BC: Brutus followed Pompey to Greece during the civil war against Caesar.
• 48 BC: Brutus was forgiven by Caesar.
• 46 BC: He was made governor of Gaul.
• 45 BC: He became a Praetor.
• 44 BC: He was a main leader in the assassination of Julius Caesar. He then went to Athens and later to Crete.
• 42 BC: He lost the Battle of Philippi to Mark Antony's forces.

"And you, Brutus?"

"And you, Brutus?" is a very famous line. It comes from William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar says this line as he is being killed. It shows his shock and sadness that even his close friend Brutus is part of the plot. This line has become a popular saying. People use it to show surprise or disappointment when a friend betrays them. Sometimes, people misquote it as "Et tu, Brute?" which is the Latin version.

This famous line is likely Shakespeare's artistic way of showing what Caesar might have said. Ancient historians say Caesar gave up fighting when he saw Brutus among the attackers. They report he cried out in Greek, kai su teknon, which means "You too, child?"

Brutus's Legacy

Even though he was known for killing Julius Caesar, many Romans admired Brutus. They respected his strong belief in the Republic. They also admired his willingness to stand up against what he saw as tyranny. Brutus's family continued to be important in Roman politics for many years after his death.

However, others saw him as a traitor. For example, in Dante Alighieri's famous poem, Inferno, Brutus is placed in the lowest circle of Hell. There, he is tortured by Satan himself, along with Cassius and Judas Iscariot, for his betrayal of Caesar.

Images for kids

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  The Capitoline Brutus, supposedly showing Brutus's ancestor Lucius Junius Brutus. He was famous for expelling the kings from Rome.

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  A coin (denarius) made by Brutus in 54 BC. It shows Lucius Junius Brutus and Gaius Servilius Ahala.

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  Another coin made by Brutus in 44 BC. It shows the idea of Libertas (freedom) and Lucius Junius Brutus with lictors.

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  The Death of Caesar (1867) by Jean-Léon Gérôme.

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  Brutus and his companions after the battle of Philippi.

See also

In Spanish: Marco Junio Bruto para niños