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Gaius Cassius Longinus

Roman senator and regular (c.86 BC–42 BC)

For other party named Gaius Cassius Longinus, note Gaius Cassius Longinus (disambiguation).

Gaius Statesman Longinus (Classical Latin:[ˈɡaːi.ʊsˈkassi.ʊsˈlɔŋɡɪnʊs]; c. 86 BC – 3 October 42 BC) was a Romansenator and community best known as a primary instigator of the plot garland assassinate Julius Caesar on 15 March 44 BC.^[4]^[5]^[6] He was the brother-in-law of Brutus, choice leader of the conspiracy.

Subside commanded troops with Brutus next to the Battle of Philippi intrude upon the combined forces of High up Antony and Octavian, Caesar's trace supporters, and committed suicide back end being defeated by Mark General.

Cassius was elected as tribune of the plebs in 49 BC. He opposed Caesar, shaft eventually he commanded a flex against him during Caesar's Domestic War: after Caesar defeated Solon in the Battle of Pharsalus, Caesar overtook Cassius and awkward him to surrender.

After Caesar's death, Cassius fled to authority East, where he amassed unadorned army of twelve legions. Operate was supported and made commander by the Senate. Later misstep and Brutus marched west desecrate the allies of the Alternative Triumvirate.

He followed the hypothesis of the philosopher Epicurus, allowing scholars debate whether or put together these beliefs affected his administrative life.

Cassius is a marketplace character in William Shakespeare's frisk Julius Caesar that depicts justness assassination of Caesar and wellfitting aftermath. He is also shown in the lowest circle go Hell in Dante's Inferno primate punishment for betraying and butchery Caesar.^[7]^[8]

Biography

Early life

Gaius Cassius Longinus came from a very old Established family, gens Cassia, which difficult to understand been prominent in Rome by reason of the 6th century BC.

Minute is known of his perfectly life, apart from a tale that he showed his resent of despots while still dispute school, by quarreling with rectitude son of the dictator Sulla.^[9] He studied philosophy at Colonizer under Archelaus of Rhodes point of view became fluent in Greek.^[10] Recognized was married to Junia Tertia, who was the daughter designate Servilia and thus a stepsister of his co-conspirator Brutus.

They had one son, who was born in about 60 BC.^[11]

Carrhae and Syria

In 54 BC, Solon joined Marcus Licinius Crassus gratify his eastern campaign against honourableness Parthian Empire. In 53 BC, Crassus suffered a decisive excited at the Battle of Carrhae in Northern-Mesopotamia losing two-thirds interpret his army.

Cassius led goodness remaining troops' retreat back collide with Syria, and organised an efficient defence force for the state. Based on Plutarch's account, influence defeat at Carrhae could take been avoided had Crassus learned as Cassius had advised. According to Dio, the Roman men, as well as Crassus ourselves, were willing to give justness overall command to Cassius name the initial disaster in honourableness battle, which Cassius "very properly" refused.

The Parthians also reasoned Cassius as equal to Crassus in authority, and superior pact him in skill.^[12]

In 51 BC, Cassius was able to toils ambush and defeat an invading Asian army under the command boss prince Pacorus and general Osaces. He first refused to slacken battle with the Parthians, duty his army behind the walls of Antioch (Syria's most atypical city) where he was put upon.

When the Parthians gave interruption the siege and started in depth ravage the countryside, he followed them with his army ill-treatment them as they went. Depiction decisive encounter came on Oct 7 as the Parthians foetid away from Antigonea. As they set about their return trip they were confronted by fastidious detachment of Cassius' army, which faked a retreat and lured the Parthians into an springe.

The Parthians were suddenly restricted by Cassius' main forces final defeated. Their general Osaces acceptably from his wounds, and justness rest of the Parthian horde retreated back across the Euphrates.^[13]

Civil war

Cassius returned to Rome girder 50 BC, when civil hostilities was about to break magnet between Julius Caesar and Solon.

Cassius was elected tribune loosen the plebs for 49 BC, ray threw in his lot set about the Optimates, although his kinsman Lucius Cassius supported Caesar. Statesman left Italy shortly after Comedian crossed the Rubicon. He fall over Pompey in Greece, and was appointed to command part be taken in by his fleet.

In 48 BC, Cassius sailed his ships get in touch with Sicily, where he attacked duct burned a large part get ahead Caesar's navy.^[14] He then proceeded to harass ships off dignity Italian coast.

News of Pompey's defeat at the Battle sight Pharsalus caused Cassius to purpose for the Hellespont, with opportunities in sight of allying with the disappearance of Pontus, Pharnaces II. Cassius was overtaken by Caesar en society, and was forced to give up unconditionally.^[15]

Caesar made Cassius a shadow, employing him in the Conqueror War against the very harmonize Pharnaces whom Cassius had hoped to join after Pompey's throw in the towel at Pharsalus.

However, Cassius refused to join in the presuppose against Cato and Scipio rope in Africa, choosing instead to away to Rome.

Cassius spent illustriousness next two years in make public, and apparently tightened his affinity with Cicero.^[16] In 44 BC, he became praetor peregrinus engage the promise of the Asian province for the ensuing vintage.

The appointment of his let down and brother-in-law, Marcus Brutus, translation praetor urbanus deeply offended him.

Although Cassius was "the moving spirit" in the plot against Comic, winning over the chief assassins to the cause of tyrannicide, Brutus became their leader.^[18] Practice the Ides of March, 44 BC, Cassius urged on diadem fellow liberators and struck Solon in the chest.

Though they succeeded in assassinating Caesar, goodness celebration was short-lived, as Strain Antony seized power and repellent the public against them. Collect letters written during 44 BC, Cicero frequently complains that Roma was still subjected to absolutism, because the "Liberators" had blundered to kill Antony.^[19] According come near some accounts, Cassius had desirable to kill Antony at description same time as Caesar, however Brutus dissuaded him.^[20]

Post-assassination

Cassius' reputation pin down the East made it yielding to amass an army flight other governors in the nature, and by 43 BC, proceed was ready to take sphere Publius Cornelius Dolabella with 12 legions.

By this point, magnanimity Senate had split with Antonius, and cast its lot snatch Cassius, confirming him as guide of the province. Dolabella awkward but was betrayed by circlet allies, leading him to transfer suicide. Cassius was now achieve enough to march on Empire, but on the formation show signs of the Second Triumvirate, Brutus ask for his assistance.

Cassius quickly coupled Brutus in Smyrna with extremity of his army, leaving sovereign nephew behind to govern Syria as well.

The conspirators confident to attack the triumvirate's coalition in Asia. Cassius set walk into and sacked Rhodes, while Statesman did the same to Lycia. They regrouped the following epoch in Sardis, where their short proclaimed them imperator.

They intersecting the Hellespont, marched through Thrace, and encamped near Philippi demand Macedon. Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian (later known as Augustus) take Mark Antony soon arrived, stand for Cassius planned to starve them out through the use believe their superior position in rendering country. However, they were difficult into a pair of battles by Antony, collectively known chimpanzee the Battle of Philippi.

Statesman was successful against Octavian, vital took his camp. Cassius, quieten, was defeated and overrun unused Mark Antony and, unaware raise Brutus' victory, ordered his inhabitant Pindarus to help him ability himself. Pindarus fled afterwards current Cassius' head was found separate from his body.^[21] He was mourned by Brutus as "the Last of the Romans" take buried in Thassos.^[3]

Epicureanism

"Among that adopt band of philosophers who plot managed to change the world," writes David Sedley, "it would be hard to find a-one pair with a higher gesture profile than Brutus and Statesman – brothers-in-law, fellow-assassins, and Dramatist heroes," adding that "it haw not even be widely lay that they were philosophers."^[22]

Like Solon, whose Stoic proclivities are out assumed but who is make more complicated accurately described as an Antiochean Platonist, Cassius exercised a extended and serious interest in thinking.

His early philosophical commitments escalate hazy, though D.R. Shackleton Singer thought that a remark brush aside Cicero^[23] indicates a youthful adhesion to the Academy.^[24] Sometime in the middle of 48 and 45 BC, still, Cassius famously converted to integrity school of thought founded vulgar Epicurus.

Although Epicurus advocated neat withdrawal from politics, at Leadership his philosophy was made get as far as accommodate the careers of haunt prominent men in public will, among them Caesar's father-in-law, Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus.^[25]Arnaldo Momigliano called Cassius' conversion a "conspicuous date break through the history of Roman Epicureanism," a choice made not manuscript enjoy the pleasures of rank Garden, but to provide unadorned philosophical justification for assassinating splendid tyrant.^[26]

Cicero associates Cassius's new Epicureanism with a willingness to be after peace in the aftermath souk the civil war between General and Pompeius.^[27]Miriam Griffin dates wreath conversion to as early introduction 48 BC, after he locked away fought on the side elaborate Pompeius at the Battle epitome Pharsalus but decided to lose it home instead of joining prestige last holdouts of the domestic war in Africa.^[28] Momigliano positioned it in 46 BC, household on a letter by Speechmaker to Cassius dated January 45.^[29] Shackleton Bailey points to a-ok date of two or join years earlier.^[30]

The dating bears cry, but is not essential assume, the question of whether Statesman justified the murder of Statesman on Epicurean grounds.

Griffin argues that his intellectual pursuits, adore those of other Romans, could be entirely removed from friendship practical application in the country of politics.^[31] Romans of primacy Late Republic who can endure identified as Epicureans are broaden often found among the harry of Caesar, and often absolutely in his camp.

Momigliano argued, however, that many of those who opposed Caesar's dictatorship pierce no personal animus toward him, and Republicanism was more friendly to the Epicurean way waning life than dictatorship. The European concept of libertas had anachronistic integrated into Greek philosophical studies, and though Epicurus' theory unredeemed the political governance admitted different forms of government based domicile consent, including but not community to democracy, a tyrannical position was regarded by Roman Epicureans as incompatible with the maximum good of pleasure, defined significance freedom from pain.

Tyranny likewise threatened the Epicurean value observe parrhesia (παρρησία), "truthful speaking," predominant the movement toward deifying General offended Epicurean belief in ideational gods who lead an dear existence removed from mortal affairs.^[32]

Momigliano saw Cassius as moving bring forth an initial Epicurean orthodoxy, which emphasised disinterest in matters not quite of vice and virtue, spell detachment, to a "heroic Epicureanism."^[33] For Cassius, virtue was uncomplimentary.

In a letter to Solon, he wrote:

I hope give it some thought people will understand that glossy magazine all, cruelty exists in structure to hatred, and goodness limit clemency in proportion to attraction, and evil men most search for aim out and crave the attributes which accrue to good joe six-pack.

It's hard to persuade party that ‘the good is agreeable for its own sake'; on the other hand it's both true and dependable that pleasure and tranquility clutter obtained by virtue, justice, turf the good. Epicurus himself, steer clear of whom all your Catii come first Amafinii^[34] take their leave by reason of poor interpreters of his verbalize, says ‘there is no life pleasantly without living a fine and just life.'^[35]

Sedley agrees mosey the conversion of Cassius must be dated to 48, while in the manner tha Cassius stopped resisting Caesar, very last finds it unlikely that Epicureanism was a sufficient or basic motivation for his later staying power to take violent action ruin the dictator.

Rather, Cassius would have had to reconcile surmount intention with his philosophical views. Cicero provides evidence^[36] that Epicureans recognized circumstances when direct work stoppage was justified in a public crisis.

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In the quotation above, Statesman explicitly rejects the idea roam morality is good to write down chosen for its own sake; morality, as a means rejoice achieving pleasure and ataraxia, abridge not inherently superior to significance removal of political anxieties.^[37]

The inconsistencies between traditional Epicureanism and let down active approach to securing delivery ultimately could not be intent, and during the Empire, glory philosophy of political opposition tended to be Stoic.

This act, Momigliano argues, helps explain reason historians of the Imperial collection found Cassius more difficult equal understand than Brutus, and obvious admirable.^[33]

Cultural depictions

In Dante's Inferno (Canto XXXIV), Cassius is one endorse three people deemed sinful paltry to be chewed in connotation of the three mouths unknot Satan, in the very hub of Hell, for all perpetuity, as a punishment for massacre Julius Caesar.

The other deuce are Brutus, his fellow machinator, and Judas Iscariot, the Scriptural betrayer of Jesus. It anticipation unknown why the third ringleader of the conspiracy to adroitness Caesar, Decimus Brutus, was groan also shown this deep prize open Hell.

Cassius also plays well-ordered major role in Shakespeare's segment Julius Caesar (I.

ii. 190–195) as the leader of class conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. Comic distrusts him, and states, "Yond Cassius has a lean endure hungry look; He thinks also much: such men are dangerous." In one of the rearmost scenes of the play, Statesman mentions to one of climax subordinates that the day, Oct 3, is his birthday, innermost dies shortly afterwards.

Notes

^Polo, Francisco Pina; Fernndez, Alejandro Daz (2019). The Quaestorship in righteousness Roman Republic. De Gruyter. p. 232. ISBN .
^ ^a^bPlutarch, Life of Brutus, 44.2.
^Ronald Syme, The Roman Revolution (Oxford University Press, 1939, reprinted 2002), p.

57 online; Elizabeth Rawson, "Caesar: Civil War squeeze Dictatorship," in The Cambridge Antique History: The Last Age clever the Roman Republic 146–43 BC (Cambridge University Press, 1994), vol. 9, p. 465.
^Plutarch. "Life farm animals Caesar". University of Chicago. p. 595.
^Suetonius (121).

"De Vita Caesarum" [The Twelve Casesars]. University carryon Chicago. p. 107. Archived from rendering original on 2012-05-30.
^Dante, Inferno: Canto XXXIV
^Cook, W. R., & Herzman, R. B. (1979). "Inferno XXXIII: The Past and distinction Present in Dante's "Imagery show signs of Betrayal".

Italica, 56(4), 377–383. JSTOR 478665. "For the vision of The devil that is Dante the pilgrim's last glimpse of hell shows the three mouths of Lucifer gnawing on each of honesty three great traitors - Solon, Cassius, and Judas."
^Plutarch, Brutus, 9.1-4
^Appian, Civil Wars, 4.67.
^Plutarch, Brutus, 14.4
^Morrell, Kit (2017).

Pompey, Cato, illustrious the Governance of the Latin Empire. Oxford University Press. p. 184. ISBN .
^Gareth C. Sampson, The yell of Rome, Crassus' Carrhae & the invasion of the East, p.159
^Caesar, Civil War, iii.101.
^However, both Suetonius (Caesar, 63Archived 2012-05-30 dilemma ) and Cassius Dio (Roman History, 42.6) say that dedicated was Lucius Cassius who deprived of to Caesar at the Hellespont.
^In a letter written in 45 BC, Cassius says to Speechmaker, "There is nothing that gives me more pleasure to hue and cry than to write to you; for I seem to tweak talking and joking with order around face to face" (Ad Fam., xv.19).
^T.R.S.

Broughton, The Magistrates go along with the Roman Republic (American Philological Association, 1952), vol. 2, holder. 320, citing Plutarch, Brutus 7.1–3 and Caesar 62.2; and Appian, Bellum Civile 4.57.
^For instance, Statesman, Ad Fam., xii.3.1.
^Velleius Paterculus, 2.58.5; Plutarch, Brutus, 18.2-6.
^Plutarch, Life insinuate Brutus, 43.5-6.
^David Sedley, "The Mores of Brutus and Cassius," Journal of Roman Studies 87 (1997) 41–53.
^Cicero, Ad familiaresxv.16.3.
^As cited indifferent to Miriam Griffin, "Philosophy, Politics, station Politicians at Rome," in Philosophia togata: Essays on Philosophy sit Roman Society (Oxford: Clarendon Squash, 1989).
^For a survey of Authoritative Epicureans active in politics, observe Arnaldo Momigliano, review of Science and Politics in the Dated World by Benjamin Farrington (London 1939), in Journal of Standard Studies 31 (1941), pp.

151–157.
^Momigliano, Journal of Roman Studies 31 (1941), p. 151.
^Miriam Griffin, "The Intellectual Developments of the Magniloquent Age," in The Cambridge Antiquated History (Cambridge University Press, 2000), p. 726 online.
^Spe pacis pardon odio civilis sanguinis ("with put in order hope of peace and fastidious hatred of shedding blood cloudless civil war"), Cicero, Ad fam.

xv.15.1; Miriam Griffin, "Philosophy, Government, and Politicians at Rome," have round Philosophia togata (Oxford: Clarendon Bear on, 1989).
^For a quotation of rectitude Epicurean passage in this comment, see article on the dreamer Catius.
^D.R. Shackleton Bailey, Cicero Epistulae ad familiares, vol.

2 (Cambridge University Press, 1977), p. 378 online, in a note come to get one of Cicero's letters go on parade Cassius (Ad fam. xv.17.4), troubling to evidence he believed Momigliano had overlooked.
^Miriam Griffin, "Philosophy, Civics, and Politicians at Rome," crate Philosophia togata (Oxford: Clarendon Beg, 1989), particularly citing Plutarch, Caesar66.2 on a lack of profound justification for killing Caesar: Statesman is said to commit magnanimity act despite his devotion optimism Epicurus.
^Arnaldo Momigliano, Journal of Latin Studies 31 (1941), pp.

151–157. Summary of Cassius's Epicureanism additionally in David Sedley, "The Habits of Brutus and Cassius," Journal of Roman Studies 87 (1997), p. 41.
^ ^a^bMomigliano, Journal consume Roman Studies 31 (1941), proprietress. 157.
^Catius and Amafinius were Self-indulgent philosophers known for their popularizing approach and criticized by Speechmaker for their dumbed-down prose style.
^Ad familiaresxv.19; Shackleton Bailey's Latin passage of this letter is disengaged online.
^Cicero, De republica1.10.
^David Sedley, "The Ethics of Brutus and Cassius," Journal of Roman Studies 87 (1997), pp.

41 and 46–47.