Was Brutus Right?

Question

This is the Marcus Brutus that killed Iulius Caesar along with the other senators. Was Brutus right in killing Caesar? why was it justifed?
Or was Brutus just plain wrong and that killing Caesar meant nothing for Rome.

Answer 1

The partecipation of Brutus to the killing of Caesar was due to his dream to save the ancient republican traditions of Rome by the changes that were occurring in that time.
Infact, his fear was that Ceasar would have used his power to became an emperor and to put his dynasty on the throne, reducing the power of the Roman Senate, where were represented all the most ancient and powerful "gentes" (families) of Rome.
Since the beginning of the republican era, the Senate had the true power: the power to declare war, to set the budget to pay the soldiers, to nomine the conuls of Rome and the governors of the conquered provinces, to make laws.
An emperor would have had all these powers for himself and the Senate would have had only a representative role in the roman political hierarchy.
If you see the facts under this point of view, you can probably say that Brutus was right.
But if you consider that all the changes to the structure of the Roman State were a natural and irreversible evolution of an empire which was much more bigger and really different from the ancient Republic, than it is evident that the plot to kill Ceasar was only the attempt of a nostalgic group of aristocrats to conserve the power they have had for more than five centuries.
Infact, Caesar's son in law, Octavianus, after his victory in the civil wars after the death of Caesar, became emperor and put his dynasty, the "gens Iulia" (the same family of Caesar) on the throne.

Answer 2

Great question! One of my fav topics (roman politics)
All romans at the time were afraid of kings....They had been a Republic for so long and didnt want to change that. The Senete had already started becoming corrupt.
Caesar, who was a great Generel and a cunning politician, was able to manipualte the system and had gotten control of the military. He was appointed dictator (not king, think powerfull president.) One of the perks was he was able to appoint members of the Senete.
After enough of his people were in power, he meant to become King of Rome. He was killed the day the Senete was to announce this.
He might have been worthy of that power, but none of his heirs were. Augustus Caesar was alright, but it went quickly downhill.
I think they were right to kill Caesar, but they FAILED miserabley. They should have made allowance for the power that had collected in the hands of so few to be spread out back amoung the many. When Caesar was killed, his power went to 3. Then they fought amoung themselfs with Augustus winning in the end.

Answer 3

Brutus was right in killing Caeser. Caeser was trying to become a king and dominate not only the Roman Empire, but also towards the end, Egypt as well. By killing him Brutus kept democracy in place for many more centuries.

Answer 4

He was right there is danger in a dictator. However, Rome wanted a protector someone who they could believe in to govern them. It’s difficult to speculate what Caesar would have done had he lived but seeing the poor examples some of the future emperors became would he himself lived to be a tyrant?

I certainly don’t believe he would have willingly given power back to the senate.

Mrhaggard

Answer 5

You can ask this question about present day murders of leaders. Was Oswald or whoever stood behind him right in killing Kennedy? You have Mahatma Gahndi in India, and many other leaders around the world that were murdered either to stop them from doing something or to step into their post. There is no possibility to say Right or Wrong. Its wrong to kill anybody, but historically? You might find positive or negative views.

Answer 6

Didn't he regret it after-wards? Didn't Antony make a compelling argument against Brutus' actions?

Answer 7

Bluto did it...ask olive oil...