You may have heard of the famous phrase 'Beware the Ides of March'!, from William Shakespeare's play centering around the renowned general, politician and scholar Julius Caesar! The Ides of March takes place on March 15th (the date of Caesar's betrayal and assassination!) and, due partly to the dramatic Shakespearean play, is full of dark and gloomy connotations and superstitions! Kalends, Nones and Ides were actually ancient markers used to reference dates in relation to lunar phases. Ides simply referred to the first full moon of a given month!
You may have heard of the famous phrase 'Beware the Ides of March'!, from William Shakespeare's play centering around the renowned general, politician and scholar Julius Caesar! The Ides of March takes place on March 15th (the date of Caesar's betrayal and assassination!) and, due partly to the dramatic Shakespearean play, is full of dark and gloomy connotations and superstitions! Kalends, Nones and Ides were actually ancient markers used to reference dates in relation to lunar phases. Ides simply referred to the first full moon of a given month!
Caesar declared himself dictator for life over the Roman Empire in 44 B.C. However, his crusade for absolute power did not go over well with many Roman politicians. Fearing he would become king, a group of senators conspired to end his life. On the Ides of March (March 15, 44 B.C.), the senators, led by Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, and Marcus Junius Brutus, stabbed Caesar 23 times, ending both his reign and his life.
Does Roman betrayal, scandal and superstition make you think of the Gods?! Check out the Folk Tales, Mythology Lore, Monsters, and Demons collection highlighting tales (of all sorts!) from around the world!
