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Brutus: Caesar's Assassin
The extraordinary life of the "noblest Roman of them all."
Although Marcus Junius Brutus is one of the most famous, or infamous, conspirators of Rome and the ancient world, if not of all time, knowledge of this historical figure has principally been passed to the modern world through the literary medium of Shakespeare's tragedy, Julius Caesar. Furthermore, any interest in Brutus has tended to focus only on events surrounding his most legendary act: Caesar's murder. This biography instead considers Brutus in his historical context, gathering details from ancient evidence and piecing together, as much as possible, his whole life.
While his actions played a pivotal role in Roman history, ultimately, although completely unintentionally, bringing about the downfall of the Roman republic, Brutus has often been neglected. Indeed, he has rarely been considered on his own merits, instead featuring as part of the biographies and studies of other leading political figures of the time, especially those of Julius Caesar, Cicero, and Octavian. As the first dedicated biography in over thirty years, this full and balanced reconsideration of this significant Roman republican is long overdue.
Although Marcus Junius Brutus is one of the most famous, or infamous, conspirators of Rome and the ancient world, if not of all time, knowledge of this historical figure has principally been passed to the modern world through the literary medium of Shakespeare's tragedy, Julius Caesar. Furthermore, any interest in Brutus has tended to focus only on events surrounding his most legendary act: Caesar's murder. This biography instead considers Brutus in his historical context, gathering details from ancient evidence and piecing together, as much as possible, his whole life.
While his actions played a pivotal role in Roman history, ultimately, although completely unintentionally, bringing about the downfall of the Roman republic, Brutus has often been neglected. Indeed, he has rarely been considered on his own merits, instead featuring as part of the biographies and studies of other leading political figures of the time, especially those of Julius Caesar, Cicero, and Octavian. As the first dedicated biography in over thirty years, this full and balanced reconsideration of this significant Roman republican is long overdue.
- GenresHistory
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 4, 2021
Not just the biography of Brutus, but the story of the lead-up and aftermath of the assasination of Gaius Julius Caesar. Mostly taken from contemporary sources, especially Cicero, you do get the feeling that so many of the outcomes turned on a sixpence. So many what ifs. A worthy read. I do get the feeling the author likes her sublect!
October 9, 2016
Informative and Interesting
An excellent, informative and thoroughly researched book investigating the life of one of ancient Rome's most famous characters and his influence on a very interesting period of history.
An excellent, informative and thoroughly researched book investigating the life of one of ancient Rome's most famous characters and his influence on a very interesting period of history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews