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Throughout my life, I grew under great men. My uncle, Cato, was a predominant senator. My idol and later greatest friend, Julius Caesar, was the consul of the senate. This is where my story is based. The beginning of my fateful downfall for the common good was one that began in the power of my greatest friend. Perhaps though, the true start of this tale began in the words of a common soothsayer.

"Beware the Ides of March" were the fateful words that stood as an omen to Caesar as they were spoken upon his passing to the festival of Lupercal. To this simple soothsayer, Caesar paused to hear his words but they were quickly dismissed and passed from his mind. They did not pass from my mind though, these words left an echo that would haunt me and keep me up at night.

As Caesar went on past to the feast, Caius Cassius and I stayed behind to talk. As we spoke, I began to relate to him the worries of my heart. I told him of the war that raged in my mind, one that was so distracting that I missed the words of other men. My war was one that battled between my love for my friend and my fear at his immense rise to power. He tried to reassure me in my depression with a strange question. He asked me if I could see my own face. To this, I replied that obviously my own eye cannot see my own face without the help of a reflection. After a pause, he spoke again, telling me how lamentable it was that I had no mirrors of the soul to turn my own worthiness back into my own eye. He spoke of the well-respected men of Rome saying how they wished that I could see my own worth. To me, this sounded slightly of flattery and I called him out on it. I asked him what dangers he would lead me into with that silver tongue of his. To this he replied that it was his wish to act as a glass for me, showing me the worthiness of my soul. I stood there for a minute as a shout arose from the courtyard. I questioned Cassius as to what he thought the purpose of the shout was and voiced my concern that the people had decided to choose Caesar for their king. He asked if I feared the rise of Caesar and if I was opposed to his potential rise to power. I told him of my fears of his rise even as I loved him as my friend. I respected Caesar as a man but feared what his ambition would lead him to. To counteract this statement, Cassius told me a story. He told me of several times in which Caesar actually showed weakness and this helped to cool my fears. They were rekindled though as again the great shout rose from the courtyard. I again voiced my fears of new honors being bestowed upon Caesar to Cassius but he once again used that silver tongue of his to lower Caesar and cool my fears.

I thanked him for his soothing words as Caesar and his entourage returned along the road that we arrived on. As they passed, I saw the brooding expression on Caesar's face and grabbed Casca's sleeve to stop him so that he might tell me what had happened in the courtyard. Casca related to me a tale that left me worried. He told me of how Antony had tried to give Caesar the Crown three times and of how Caesar had thrice rejected it. For each rejection, the people had given the great shout that we had heard. What worried me though was another part of the tale. Casca told me of the look of Caesar when he turned down the crown. As the crown was progressively offered to him, it seemed that it became harder and harder for him to turn it away. Though the fact that he had turned down the crown at all was promising, the fact that he wanted it set off my fears. He also told me of how, after Caesar's final rejection of the crown, Caesar had swooned and fallen down with foam at his lips but not a word would pass. I speculated that perhaps Caesar was a victim of the falling-sickness but Cassius was quick to reply that it was not Caesar who had the falling sickness but rather, we had the sickness ourselves. I could sense the underlying tone of our subservience to Caesar but the true meaning of Cassius's statement was lost to Casca as he continued on with his tale. He spoke of how Caesar fell but as he once again arose, he said that he had made any mistake; he wanted their forgiveness to which several wenches in the crowd had cried their pardon. He hypothesized though that even if Caesar had stabbed their own mothers, the reaction would have been the same. As the tale came to a close, Cassius asked Casca to dinner the following night but I listened not. Instead, I brooded as to the meaning of such a display that was put on by Caesar. As Casca finally retreated away, I absently noted to Cassius of how Casca's old sense of mind had disappeared and it had left him a very blunt man. Cassius gave me his opinion that in fact, Casca had not lost his wit but instead chose to dull it so that other men might more easily accept it. As he finished with his deduction of the psyche of Casca, I bade him farewell and told him that I would meet with him the next day, either at my home or his. As I left Cassius, I heard him quietly speak to himself but I though nothing of it. I made my way back to my home and found my wife, Portia at the small courtyard as she often was. We spoke for a short time but it was late and soon we went to bed beside one another as the clouds closed and a storm began. I did not sleep though. My mind was much to active trying to sort out the day to allow even the possibility of sleep. And so, I lay there most of the night

I rose later that night as the storm raged outside my house. My mind was brooding too much for me to possibly think about going to sleep so I quietly left the bedroom and walked out to the courtyard. I called for my servant, Lucius, and soon once he arrived, I sent him away to light a candle in my study and to return to me once it was finished. As I waited for Lucius's return, I sat in my garden and thought. Though Caesar may not seem to show his ambition now, what would be the result of his gaining of the crown? The presence power of can change the very nature of a man. Could Caesar resist this temptation to become a tyrant? Alternatively, would he succumb to the pull of authority? It is the brightest points of one's life that brings out the worst in a person. Will his rise to power and to a light in his life cause an insatiable hunger to rise farther? Will he transcend the rungs of the social ladder and once he reaches the top, aspire to rise still until he may tough the clouds? No good may come from this. Is it better though, to see what the power would do to him? Or would it be a wiser decision to end his ascension now and spare the loss. As my thoughts continued to rage through my mind, Lucius returned to tell me that the candle in the study burned but, that was not all that he came with.

He gave me a letter that he said that he found while searching the window for a flint. He assured me that it hadn't been there when he went to bed so it must have arrived that very night. This made me think. I sent Lucius back to bed but first, I asked him if the next day was in fact the Ides of March. He was unsure so I sent him off to check as I went about reading the letter in the candlelight. The letter was short and cryptic, and I remember the words perfectly: "Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake, and see thyself. Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress. Brutus, thou sleep'st; awake. I puzzled over this letter for a minute. This was not the first note of flattery that I had received but the words: Shall Rome &c puzzled me. Also, the words that said to speak, strike and redress. Were they an invitation to speak and strike so that the redress may happen? If so, then my support was here with whoever wrote this note. As I finished my silent analysis of the note, Lucius returned to my garden and confirmed my suspicion that it was in fact the Ides of March. Upon the finish if his report, we heard a knock coming from the front gate. As he went off, I remained in my garden, brooding as to the possibility of a connection between the note and my talk with Cassius earlier the previous day. As if on cue, Lucius returned to tell me that Cassius himself was at the door with several other hidden-faced men. Knowing them to be the conspiracy, I told Lucius to allow them entry. They came in as a group and were introduced to me as they passed by Cassius. They were all good men whom I had known for years. Trebonius, Decius Brutus, Casca, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, they were all good men. I had not expected them to be of the group who planned the death of Caesar.

Cassius gathered us around into a circle and bade us to clasp hands and swear an oath. I objected. If we were all honorable men, devoted to our cause, we would not need an oath to bind us. Our own mutual conviction to the success of our venture would be the thing that bound us. As the group agreed to this, I could feel their respect and admiration slip from my dear Cassius and fall onto my shoulders. I was not sure how to feel of this. If our endeavor would be a success, I would be praised as our leader. If we failed though, my name would be forever cures as the name of the greatest betrayer of friends. I would have to think on this. We moved into our next point of inquiry, the possible admittance of Cicero into our group. This was quickly accepted by the others but I voiced my concerns as to his loyalty to our cause. This swayed the other members of the group and again, a bit more power was transferred onto my shoulders. As we moved on, Cassius voiced his opinion that we must include Marc Antony in our killing so that he would not continue to lead in Caesar's place and seek revenge on us for his death. Again, I voiced my opposition to this fact. Antony was merely a limb for Caesar. Without him, Antony was nothing. Also, the death of both may lead to the assumption that our cause was too bloody, which would anger the masses. Though there was still minor resistance to the sparing of Antony's life, the decision was made and the meeting continued.

As it came upon three in the morning, I drew an end to the meeting. As we prepared to depart, Cassius voiced his concern as to the possibility that Caesar's superstition would win out and he would not come to the Capitol that day. Decius assured us that if Caesar showed any resolve to stay from the Capitol that day, he would convince Caesar of the folly of his beliefs and get him to come. We agreed that we would meet at Caesar's house and accompany him to the Capitol when the clock struck eight. With this, my now fellow members of our conspiracy departed with the promise to meet at Caesar's later that morning.

I called out for Lucius to come but he was fast asleep. Instead, Portia emerged into my garden. Not having intended for her to be woken by my late meeting, I questioned her as to why she was not in bed as it was poor for her health. She turned my question back on me, and added her observations of me from the previous night. She asked me what was my source of grief that was so severe that it had me brooding through the day and up in the night. I tried to turn aside her comments by claiming it to be just a simple illness that was causing my poor mood but again she countered my deflection. She commented that I was much to wise to be standing outside if I was ill. With this, she renewed her attempts to get me to reveal to her the true grief of my heart as she knew that it was no physical ailment that kept me up but one of the mind. She tried through many different avenues to convince me to tell her the true reason for my late night ventures. She tried to make me guilty through her exploitation of logic. Then, she spoke of how it was her right as my wife to know my troubles. She even appealed to my emotions in her begging. In her frenzy to convince me to confide with her, she made to prove her constancy by piercing her thigh with a small knife. A knock sounded at the door and I grasped for it as an excuse to escape the curiosity of my wife. I promised to tell her of my true worries and sent her away content.

While Portia was leaving the garden, Lucius entered with another man, Caius Ligarius. We spoke for a short time as he inquired as to why he had been called to my house. As I had little time before the time of rendezvous at Caesar's house, which was set to be two hours after the sunrise. I bid him join me so that I could tell him on our way. We embarked on the short walk from my house to Caesar's and I explained to him the morals and the motivation behind our conspiracy. We arrived outside Caesar's house a short time before the strike of eight and stayed there as more members of the conspiracy arrived. Upon the strike of eight, our assembly knocked on his door and entered. As we walked into the front hallway of Caesar's home, he greeted us from his stairway. Decius stood at his side and offered us a slight nod and Calphurnia stood behind, looking saddened. As greetings came to a close, another man entered Caesar's home as well. Marc Antony called a greeting to Caesar as he walked in behind our entourage. Caesar invited us all in for wine and talk and offered for us to walk with him to the Capitol later.

We left Caesar's home shortly after this and began the walk to the Capitol. As we traveled the route, we came upon the soothsayer who had warned Caesar of the Ides of March. Caesar called the man out that the Ides of March had come. The soothsayer retorted that they may have come but had still yet to depart. This worried me slightly but I could tell that this greatly concerned Cassius as he walked beside me. Another interruption came in the form of a man holding a schedule that he insisted that Caesar read. The man was easily bypassed though on our trek up to the Capitol. As we walked up the stairs to enter the senate building itself, a man by the name of Popilius approached Cassius and wished him luck in his enterprise before advancing to speak to Caesar. This left Cassius very vexed. I had to point out that though Popilius spoke to Caesar with a smile, Caesar's own expression was unchanged. As we observed Popilius and Caesar's conversation, I pointed out to Cassius that Trebonious was doing his part and had successfully lured Antony from the entourage. There were no more problems as we all entered the senate house and took our places.

We sent up Metellus Cimber to present his case to Caesar and we would second him. This would give out entourage the chance to get close to Caesar and strike before anyone could interfere. With a sense of finality, it was decided that Casca would be the first to show his hand and stab Caesar. Caesar called the senate to order and Cimber approached him to plead his case against his exile from Rome. As Cimber begged for his repeal, I strode forth and kissed the hand of Caesar. I added my voice to Cimber's on the issue of his pardon. Soon after me, Cassius approached. Then Cinna, and Decius and finally Casca approached and surrounded Caesar. With a shout, Casca drew his sword and plunged it into Caesar. As the first blow was landed, the others sprang to life and pulled out swords of their own and in turn plunged them into Caesar. I refrained though, standing aside with my gaze averted as I listed to the sounds of the death of my greatest friend. It was not until I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see the bloodied face of Caesar in front of me that with a heavy heart I performed my duty to Rome. To Caesar's surprise, I thrust my sword into his torso and watched the surprise turn into sadness. With the sight of my horrendous betrayal, he resigned himself to his fate and finally fell to his death. I watched in silence as the live-blood of the great Caesar drained out of his veins. I vaguely heard Cinna give a shout of the death of tyranny, and Cassius say that we must go out to the pulpits and proclaim the liberty of this event. I steeled myself against the fact that I had just killed my friend and focused rather on the reasoning for my actions, the greater good of Rome. I bid the panicked senators be still and assured them that Caesar was the extent of our cause. We began to prepare for our necessary speech to the masses in the pulpit.

As we waited, it was agreed that we must all take credit for what has happened. We all stooped to the corpse that was once the great Caesar and covered our hands and swords in his blood. After this, a servant arrived at the senate house saying that he came from Antony. He brought a message saying that he respected me and asked if he could come to meet with me so that we could reconcile. I accepted his wish and soon after, Antony emerged into the senate chamber. He looked at the corpse of Caesar and begged for his own death. When we refused it to him, we told him that everything would be explained. It was more important that we explained to the masses before any one man. So, Antony grasped each of us conspirators by the hand to show his forgiveness of our transgression. He asked if he might be the one who presented the body of Caesar into the marketplace and a speaker at his funeral. We allowed him that, seeing no immediate danger from this action. Cassius took me aside momentarily to tell me of his fear of what Antony may say in the pulpit. I reassured him that I would go first and would say that Antony was speaking with our permission. And so, I told Antony that in his speech he was not to blame our conspiracy but say that he spoke with our permission. We bid him farewell and told him to follow us to the pulpits in the marketplace.

Our group left Antony beside the corpse of Caesar and made way for the marketplace. As we passed though the throng of citizens, we held our bloodied blades and hands above our heads and cried liberty and freedom. We approached and ascended the pulpit and called for the people to give us audience. I sent Cassius to the next street so that we might part the numbers of the plebeians and thus more effectively convey our message. I bid the people be silent and began to recreate for them the story of our motives. I allowed them to judge us as they wished but told my story in its entirety. I told them how I was a great a lover of Caesar as any friend of his. The dilemma that I faced was that I loved Rome more. I told them that I killed Caesar so that we, as citizens of Rome might be free. I honored Caesar, But feared that his ambition would enslave our city and bring about our demise. Thus, I acted to save Rome. It was his own actions of ambition in the Capitol that brought about his downfall. At this point, Antony entered under the burden of the body of Caesar. I welcomed them, and bid myself to depart. I had a faith in Antony that his word would hold and that I would not need fear of repercussions from him. Though the people wished to accompany me, I asked that they would allow me to depart alone. I told them to listen to the words that Antony would speak as I had let him do so. I left in peace as Antony ascended the pulpit and called the people to listen to him. This was all I heard before his words were swallowed up in the noises of the street.

It was a long walk home. Not that it was a long distance but rather my mind worked through the entirety of the walk, judging my actions. Had I been just in my reasons for killing my friend? Had I convinced the people of the truth behind our cause? I was not sure. As I walked, I could hear cheers and yells come from the marketplace behind me. I could not tell the nature of these shouts but could tell as they became more energetic and frequent. I came upon my come to find Cassius already standing outside. As I greeted him, he told me grave news between gasps of air. Antony had taken my trust and had abused it, bringing down the wrath of the people upon our own heads. We would be forced to leave Rome before they came to the houses of the conspirators and burned them to the ground. He had listened as Antony had destroyed our reputations and had promptly run back to my home where he hoped to meet me before I was found by the enraged throng. I stood in a stupor as I absorbed the betrayal of my trust and the knowledge that I was being forced into exile. Quickly though I broke the exile and called for Lucius and the other servants. As they arrived, I sent them about to gather supplies prepare a horse for a quick departure from the city, only bare essentials. I then went to Portia and told her the events of the day, and my transgression against my soul. I sent her to the home of her father so that she may go into hiding. I prepared a letter to be sent to the commanders of my small legions and order them to condense and emerge. They were to combine with Cassius's legions to create our army. As the letters were sent off, I returned to Cassius. We fled the city upon our horses, and made for a safe zone in which we would be able to hide from Antony.

We fled to the plains of Philippi and met up with our meager legions. We ascended into the surrounding hills and mountains and settled down to wait. We suffered through a long and cold winter huddled up in our caves and tents. Reports came in of the workings of Rome from my few friends in the city. I learned of the arrival of Octavius. He was a great general and a friend of Antony's. The winter was made even worse as word came to me that Portia had killed herself. The winter became cold indeed after that report. There were arguments but they all were eventually resolved. Slowly, the weather began to grow warmer and the movements of armies began anew.

It was not until late spring that we saw the first of the armies of Antony and the other general, Octavius. Reports came to me as they marched into the plains of Philippi. We made them wait several days as we prepared for our descent from the mountains to meet them in battle. We split our army, as they had. I would lead half of our legions to fight against the men under Octavius while Cassius would lead the other half of our legions against the army under Antony. I was to lead my men against Octavius first and if I got the advantage, then Cassius would lead his men against Antony. The battle began well enough with both sides evenly matched. I watched as the golden-cloaked Octavius was pulled from his horse. I saw this as enough of an advantage and sent a runner off to Cassius to start his attack. It was too soon.

I watched in horror as Octavius rallied his men and destroy mine. I was forced to sound a retreat and could see across the field as Cassius did the same. Our men routed and deserted our cause. Only a loyal few remained with me as I went off to see what had befallen Cassius. As I searched for him, I saw a corpse that was separated from the others. I approached it to see that the face was covered and that there was a sword protruding from its abdomen. It was Cassius's sword. I uncovered the face of the corpse to find that it was Cassius. In his defeat, He had taken his own life so that no man of Antony's could have the honor. I said a few words but we were quickly forced to flee as the forces of Antony and Octavius approached.

We ran for most of the day across the plains of Philippi. As the day neared its end, what remained of my small group stopped for a rest on an outcrop of rock. I called over a man by the name of Volumnius to speak to me privately. It had been running through my mind for most of this day and I know that my time had come. It was more honorable to jump into the void ourselves rather than be pushed in by others. I told him of this and asked him if he would hold my sword-hilt while I ran upon it. He declined my request, saying that it was not the office for a friend. As the alarms sounded in the distance, my men stood and prepared to resume our flight. Instead, I stood and said farewell to them all, thanking them for their loyalty. As they left and bid me to follow them, I promised that I would follow. I stopped another of my men, Strato, and again bid him to assist me in the preservation of my honor. This time, he obliged. I gave him my sword as the alarms sounded again, this time nearly upon us. I climbed upon a rock and stood there, and for a moment, I hesitated.

This is where I stand now. The events that had led to the end of my life flash through my mind in an instant as I contemplate death. I stare at the point of my sword, sitting in the hand of Strato, and wonder what I could have changed that would have saved me. I realize though that there is nothing that could save me. Everything that I had done was done to the best of my knowledge at the time. And thus, now content, I say a final farewell to Strato and jump upon the raised point of my sword. The edge pierces my chest and slices its way through my heart. As my lifeblood drains from my body in the same way that it left Caesar's, I fade into darkness. I am finally able to rest.