Marcus Junius Brutus

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Marcus Junius Brutus (early June 85 BC – late October 42 BC), often referred to simply as Brutus, was a politician of the late Roman Republic and a member of the Assassin Order. He is best known in modern times for taking a leading role in the assassination conspiracy against Julius Caesar.

History

Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger was the son of Marcus Junius Brutus the Elder and Servilia Caepionis. His father was killed by Pompey the Great in dubious circumstances after he had taken part in the rebellion of Lepidus; his mother was the half-sister of Cato the Younger, and later became Julius Caesar's mistress. Some sources refer to the possibility of Caesar being his real father. Brutus' uncle, Quintus Servilius Caepio adopted him in about 59 BC, and Brutus was known officially for a time as Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus before he reverted to using his birth-name. However, following Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, Brutus revived his adoptive name in order to illustrate his links to another famous tyrannicide, Servilius Ahala, from whom he was descended.

Brutus held his uncle in high regard and his political career started when he became an assistant to Cato, during his governorship of Cyprus. During this time, he enriched himself by lending money at high rates of interest. He returned to Rome a rich man, where he married Claudia Pulchra. From his first appearance in the Senate, Brutus aligned with the Optimates (the conservative faction) against the First Triumvirate of Marcus Licinius Crassus, Pompey Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus and Gaius Julius Caesar. Around 45 BC, many senators began to fear Caesar's growing power following his appointment as dictator for life. Brutus was persuaded into joining the conspiracy against Caesar by the other senators.

Eventually, Brutus decided to move against Caesar after Caesar's king-like behavior prompted him to take action. His wife was the only woman privy to the plot. The conspirators planned to carry out their plot on the Ides of March (March 15) that same year. On that day, Caesar was delayed going to the Senate because his wife, Calpurnia Pisonis, tried to convince him not to go. The conspirators feared the plot had been found out. Brutus persisted, however, waiting for Caesar at the Senate, and allegedly still chose to remain even when a messenger brought him news that would otherwise have caused him to leave. When Caesar finally did come to the Senate, they attacked him. Publius Servilius Casca Longus was allegedly the first to attack Caesar with a blow to the shoulder, which Caesar blocked. However, upon seeing Brutus was with the conspirators, he covered his face with his toga and resigned himself to his fate. The conspirators attacked in such numbers that they even wounded one another. Brutus is said to have been wounded in the hand.

After the assassination, the Senate passed an amnesty on the assassins. This amnesty was proposed by Caesar's friend and co-consul Marcus Antonius. Nonetheless, uproar among the population caused Brutus and the conspirators to leave Rome. Brutus settled in Crete from 44 to 42 BC, but was later defeated in battle and upon fleeing, committed suicide. His last words were "By all means must we fly; not with our feet, however, but with our hands." Brutus also uttered the well-known verse calling down a curse upon Antonius (Plutarch repeats this from the memoirs of Publius Volumnius): "Forget not, Zeus, the author of these crimes."

The Armor of Brutus.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

The dagger he used to assassinate Julius Caesar can be obtained in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood along with his personal armor, which is the most powerful in the game. The armor has 25 health diamonds, the same as the Armor of Altaïr from Assassin's Creed II. By exploring all the ruins in which the Followers of Romulus operate, Ezio can collect scrolls. Each has a key which, when all 6 are collected, will unlock the indestructible armor.

Trivia

• At some point before the assassination of Julius Ceaser, Brutus explored the vault hidden beneath what would eventually become the Santa Maria Aracoeli. He would include a drawing of the crypt within his scrolls.
• After Brutus' death, his followers tried to use the Shroud to bring him back, but it didn't work; the Shroud can reanimate a body, but it cannot recreate life.
• In Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy, Giovanni Borgia relives some of Brutus' memories just like with his father Perotto Calderon's memories, indicating that Perotto and Giovanni are Brutus' descendants.

References

es:Marco Junio Bruto