# data[].attributes.body
Motives:
Cassius has the motive of removing Caesar from power because he is selfish and wants to be in power himself.

Allies:
-Casca
-Brutus
Enemies:
-Caesar
-Marius

He plays the archetypal role of devil figure because he manipulates people (Brutus) for his own selfish purposes. He is constantly seeking for ways to empower himself, tries to plot the downfall of others, and is very clever.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This article was most recently revised and updated by

Gaius Cassius Longinus, (died 42 bc, near Philippi, Macedonia [now in Greece]), prime mover in the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar in 44 bc.

Little is known of his early life. As a quaestor in 53 bc, Cassius served under Marcus Licinius Crassus and saved the remnants of the Roman army defeated by the Parthians at Carrhae (modern Harran, Turkey). For the next two years he successfully repelled the Parthian attacks on Syria. Cassius became tribune in 49, and the outbreak of the civil war between Caesar and the Optimates in that year saved him from being brought to trial for extortion in Syria. In that war he at first commanded part of the fleet of Caesar's opponent, Pompey the Great. After Pompey was decisively defeated by Caesar at Pharsalus in Thessaly (48), Cassius was reconciled to Caesar, who made him one of his legates.

In 44 Cassius became praetor peregrinus and was promised the governorship of Syria for the following year. The appointment of his junior, Marcus Junius Brutus, as praetor urbanus deeply offended him, and he became one of the busiest conspirators against Caesar, taking a very active part in the assassination. Forced by popular resentment to withdraw from Rome after the murder, he left Italy for Syria, where he raised a large army and defeated Publius Cornelius Dolabella, to whom the province had been assigned by the Senate. When in 43 the Caesarian leaders Mark Antony, Octavian (later the emperor Augustus), and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate, Cassius and his fellow conspirator, Brutus, combined their armies, crossed the Hellespont, marched through Thrace, and encamped near Philippi in Macedonia. Their intention was to starve out the enemy, but they were forced into an engagement. Brutus was successful against Octavian, but Cassius, defeated by Mark Antony, gave up all for lost and ordered his freedman to slay him. He was lamented by Brutus as "the last of the Romans" and buried at Thasos. (He had married Brutus' half-sister Junia Tertia, who lived until ad 22.)

Cassius was a man of considerable ability and a good soldier, but in politics he was actuated by vanity and ambition and had an uncontrollable temper and sharp tongue. His portrait in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, though vivid, is scarcely historical.

Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager.

Learn More in these related Britannica articles:

ancient Rome: The Triumvirate and Octavian's achievement of sole power

Brutus and Cassius, the organizers of the conspiracy, expected all Romans to rejoice with them in the rebirth of "freedom." But to the Roman people the freedom of the governing class had never meant very much; the armies (especially in the west) were attached to Caesar; and...

history of Mesopotamia: The Parthian period

In 164-165 the Roman general Gaius Avidius Cassius captured the capital cities Ctesiphon and Seleucia, but an epidemic forced the Romans to retreat and peace was restored. Returning soldiers spread the disease throughout the Roman Empire, with devastating consequences. The terms of peace favoured the Romans, who secured control of...

Julius Caesar: Antecedents and outcome of the civil war of 49-45 bce

Gaius Cassius Longinus, who was the moving spirit in the plot to murder him, and Marcus Junius Brutus, the symbolic embodiment of Roman republicanism, were both former enemies. "Et tu, Brute" ("You too, Brutus") was Caesar's expression of his particular anguish at being stabbed by...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gaius Cassius Longinus, prime mover in the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar in 44 bc. Little is known of his early life. As a quaestor in 53 bc, Cassius served under Marcus Licinius Crassus and saved the remnants of the Roman army defeated by the Parthians at Carrhae (modern Harran, Turkey).

# data[].attributes.body
Motives:
Brutus is very honorable, but he is ultimately an Optimate, and he will do anything to stop a dictatorship from being formed. However, Brutus is also manipulated by Cassius, as that same inflexible honor makes Brutus somewhat gullible.

Allies/Enemies:
Brutus' allies are Cassius and Casca (so far), as they are fellow optimates. Brutus' enemies are the populares, especially Caesar (even though Brutus considers him a dear friend), as Brutus believes that Caesar wants full control of the state.

Archetype:
Brutus' archetypal color would be a light orange, as he is hopeful and passionate for the state's wellbeing, but also because he is innocent enough to be manipulated by Cassius. Brutus' archetype is also the tragic hero, as he is honorable and a good person, but he is manipulated by Cassius.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visit Biography.com to learn more about Marcus Junius Brutus, a conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar.

# data[].attributes.body
Quotes:
INDIRECT: "let no images
Be hung with Caesar’s trophies". This quote shows Caesar is an accomplished military leader and characterizes him as a great leader. (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 1 Pg 24)
INDIRECT: "Let me have men about me that are fat" (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 Pg 38). This quote shows that Caesar prefers to have support from those that do not strive for higher positions (the belief was that fat men do not work hard).
DIRECT: "I do know the man I should avoid/ So soon as that spare Cassius" (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 Pg 40). This quote directly shows the reader that Cassius is the man that Caesar wants to avoid the most.

Biography:

# data[].attributes.body
Caesar is offered the crown many times but refuses it, showing he would like to separate himself from the ruling aristocrats. However, even though he is not power hungry, he is seduced by the populace's idea of people viewing him as an idol.

Allies:
-Antony
-Octavius

Enemies:
-Casca
-Brutus
-Cicero

Archetype:
Caesar fits the role of tragic hero due to his protagonist status in the story line, as well as his overbearing pride and confidence that will ultimately lead to his downfall.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Archaeologists discovered a defensive ditch, pottery and weapons in, Kent, which they believe may be the first evidence of Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 54 B.C. Learn more about the Roman leader and his conquests at Biography.com.

# data[].attributes.body
Quotes:
1) INDIRECT: What means this shouting? I do fear the people/Choose Caesar for their king" (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 Pg 34).
2) DIRECT: "I am not gamesome: I do lack some part of that quick spirit that is in Antony...." (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 Pg 28).
3) INDIRECT: "I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well'" (Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 Pg 32).

Biography:
Born in 85 BC in Macedonia, Brutus' full name was Marcus Junius Brutus, and he was raised by an uncle in the principles of Stoicism. After Caesar's self-appointment as dictator, Brutus helped Cassius assassinate Caesar on March 15th, 44 BC. However, Brutus was later driven out and killed himself after a loss in the battle in Philippi.

# data[].attributes.body
He is Caesar's biggest rival in the play. Caesar sees him as a big threat because he is in the opposite political faction as him, the Optimates. He spends a majority of the play ridiculing Caesar and trying to turn powerful people against him.
Quotes:
DIRECT:"He reads much, he is a great observer, and he looks quite through the deeds of men. He loves no plays, as though dost, Antony; he hears no music." (Shakespeare 1:2:40)
INDIRECT: "Well, honour is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other men think of this life; but for my single self, I had as lief not be as live to be in awe of such a thing as I myself." (Shakespeare 1:1:32)
DIRECT: "And be not jealous of me, gentle Brutus : Were I a common laugher, or did use to stale with ordinary oaths my love to every new protester; if you know that I do fawn on men and hug them hard." (Shakespeare 1:1: 31)

Biography:

# data[].attributes.body
Description: A member of the Populares party who was a successful military leader and played a large role in the events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Picture:

# data[].attributes.body
An Optimate who strongly believes in a government guided by the votes of the senators and has an inflexible sense of honor. He loves Caesar as a friend, but opposes any man becoming dictator, a role which he thinks Caesar wants.