why does caesar cross the rubicon

This article was taken from BBC History Revealed magazine, Save over 50% on a gift subscription to their favourite history magazine. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. There had been many civil wars in the previous century but the one started by Caesar was to change Roman history forever. On 10 January 49 BC, Roman general Julius Caesar defied an ultimatum set to him by the Senate. as a general, Caesar was not allowed to cross the Rubicon river, no general was permitted to do so under the prevailing customs and laws of his time. This item is part of JSTOR collection Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon. In one of the most iconic moments of Caesar’s biography, in 49 B.C.E. You have successfully linked your account! To cross the Rubicon with an army on the way to Rome was rebellion and treason. Thanks! In the eyes of Rome, he would be an enemy of the state but he still crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil war. At the heart of the dispute was the issue of who ruled in Rome. [His influence.] Anonymous. The crossing of a small stream in northern Italy became one of ancient history's most pivotal events. This tiny stream would reveal Caesar's intentions and mark the point of no return. A jeep model is named for his crossing the Rubicon River, and a calendar still in use—the Julian—takes its name from him. Pompey accused Caesar of insubordination and treason. On today’s date in AD 49, Caesar crossed the Rubicon. From it sprang the Roman Empire and the genesis of modern European culture. It covers all aspects of political, economic, religious and social life and deals with legal, archaeological, numismatic and epigraphical questions. Please enter your number below. Caesar believes the gods are on his side, encouraging him to proceed into Italy. With a personal account, you can read up to 100 articles each month for free. There seems to be a problem, please try again. If you subscribe to BBC History Magazine Print or Digital Editions then you can unlock 10 years’ worth of archived history material fully searchable by Topic, Location, Period and Person. Hence the Rubicon became, as it were, the visible sign and symbol of civil restriction to military power. What does it mean to ‘cross the Rubicon’? If he brought his veteran armies across the river Rubicon in northern Italy, the Republic would be in a state of civil war. 0. Everything you ever wanted to know about... What are the origins of the Christmas pantomime? All Rights Reserved. Our focal point is ancient history, but also social and economic history, as well as history of science; furthermore regional studies, Eastern European history and transatlantic studies. Historia is an international, peer-reviewed journal focusing on Greek and Roman antiquity. The Rubicon is a small river in northern Italy, so why is crossing it considered such a significant thing to do? 11 Answers. Why Caesar crossed the Rubicon is a question none other than Caesar himself answered: 'They wanted it so. It refers back to a decision made by Julius Caesar in January 49 BC that changed Ancient Rome forever. Original articles feature research on Greek and Hellenistic history, the Roman Republic and Empire as well as late antiquity. But it seems that the vast majority of senators wanted a peaceful resolution of the dispute between the senators and Caesar. Answer Save. Favourite answer. An ancient Roman law forbade any general from crossing the Rubicon River and entering Italy with a standing army. Cross the rubicon definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. To access this article, please, Access everything in the JPASS collection, Download up to 10 article PDFs to save and keep, Download up to 120 article PDFs to save and keep. By crossing the Rubicon with his armies Caesar effectively stated his intention to march on Rome and take his position by force. '7 Caesar admits that he used his army against the commonwealth in 49 because Check out using a credit card or bank account with. This day in history in 55 B.C.- Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River and starts a civil war in the Roman Republic. Caesar decided it was better to fight for victory than accept certain defeat. The Rubicon first occurs as a boundary for Marc Antony, who was forbidden from taking an army from Italy north of the Rubicon. This is why "crossing the Rubicon" has become a catch phrase, and why the Rubicon, otherwise a small and insignificant river, became symbolic of Caesar's war against Rome. The reason Pompey, Cato, and the rest of the anti-Caesar senators left Italy was because they believed Caesar was bringing his whole army across the Rubicon. tantis rebus gestis C. Caesar condemnatus essem nisi ab exercitu auxilium petissem). Why did Caesar cross the Rubicon? Drawing Info. In January 49 BC, he crossed the Rubicon River with his army, in violation of sacred Roman law, and begin a civil war. As a successful governor of the Roman province of Gaul (modern-day France), many in Rome feared Caesar’s growing power so the Senate ordered him to disband his legions and return to Rome. We oversee more than 150 serial publications as well as 28 periodicals and publish such renowned series as Historia, Hermes and Archiv für Rechts- und Sozialphilosophie. Caesar Crossing the Rubicon Today, 2060 years ago (according to the old Roman calendar), Caesar crossed the Rubicon and uttered the so famous phrase alea iacta est – the die is cast. Caesar Crosses the Rubicon. [Caesar's expenditure of money at Rome.] 69 'They wanted it so. So once he crossed it, It was a blatant act of defiance towards the senate. Instead, he briefly states being in Ravenna, moves on to summarize his address to his soldiers and then swiftly mentions setting out with … “Alea iacta est,” said Caesar: The die is cast. on the banks of the Rubicon, Julius Caesar faced a critical choice. In January 49 BC, Caesar crossed the Rubicon river (the frontier boundary of Italy) with only one legion and ignited civil war. To do so was treason. But when Julius Caesar decided to cross the Rubicon, he only brought one legion; why … tantis rebus gestis C. Caesar condemnatus essem nisi ab … It was at this moment that Caesar said the now famous phrase, “The die is cast.” Of course Caesar had to cross the Rubicon in his journey southward; however, the dramatic pause of the general on his horse at the ford of the Rubicon may all be a later myth- … Caesar marched a single legion to the boundary between Gaul and Italy, marked by the small river, and he knew that to go any further was forbidden. To cross the Rubicon means to make a decision or take a step that commits one to a specific course of action from which there is no turning back. Historia was founded in 1952 by Karl Friedrich Stroheker and Gerold Walser. Franz Steiner is one of Germany's most prominent academic publishing houses. Father Christmas and Santa Claus: a brief history of two Christmas champions, Did Oliver Cromwell ban Christmas? Specifically, Governors of Roman provinces (promagistrates) were not allowed to bring any part of their army within Italy itself and, if they tried, they automatically forfeited their right to rule, even in their own province. the act of doing so constituted civil war, and in fact one ensued. I, Gaius Caesar, in spite of such great deeds would have been condemned, had I not sought help from my army (hoc uoluerunt. But it only lasted five years as he famously did not heed the warning of another famous idiom – “Beware the Ides of March” – and was stabbed to death. There are certain historical events that have a significance beyond the immediate fact that they happened, and Caesar’s action in crossing a tiny river is one of them. Why was Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon an important event? Generals commanding in Gaul were never to pass it. To cross the Rubicon is a metaphor which means to take an irrevocable step that commits one to a specific course. Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, Read Online (Free) relies on page scans, which are not currently available to screen readers. © 2003 Franz Steiner Verlag The river Rubicon was considered to be the dividing line between Italy and the rest of the Empire. For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions The expression means to make a difficult decision with irreversible consequences – in short, to pass the point of no return. Select the purchase Caesar knew he would lose everything: property, liberty, even his life. 1 decade ago. You will shortly receive a receipt for your purchase via email. I century’s center BC the Republic experienced inner disaster. On this day in history, 49 BC, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon with a legion of his soldiers, which was against Roman law. Answers (2) Maziah October 13, 4:07 AM. But what kind of die was Caesar casting and what decision was he making? JSTOR®, the JSTOR logo, JPASS®, Artstor®, Reveal Digital™ and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA. Caesar was named an enemy of the state and told to come home and face the senate. The Puritan assault on Christmas during the 1640s and 1650s, The 8 bloodiest Roman emperors in history, 6 things you (probably) didn’t know about animals in ancient Rome. Crossing the Rubicon led to a civil war which Caesar won, and he became dictator for life of the Roman Republic. He would be assassinated in 44BC. In the eyes of Rome, he would be an enemy of the state but he still crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil war. Crossing The Rubicon, Literally – Caesar Sparks War In 49 BC. It was at this moment that Caesar said the now famous phrase, “The die is cast.”. Upon crossing the Rubicon, Caesar, according to Plutarch and Suetonius, is supposed to have quoted the Athenian playwright Menander, in Greek, "the die is cast". This plunged the Roman world into civil war. Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte But what did really happen that day and how much do we really know about the event? Caesar knew he had enemies. Once he had crossed the Rubicon with soldiers there were no more political or diplomatic options available, combat was the only way forward, … In 49 B.C., Julius Caesar was the governor of Gaul, which meant he had to give up his power in Rome. This Day In History: January 10, 49 BC. I, Gaius Caesar, in spite of such great deeds would have been condemned, had I not sought help from my army (hoc uoluerunt. Hi, I hope you can answer a question for me. You can unsubscribe at any time. Fully aware of the momentous nature of his decision, Caesar ignored the warning and began to march south on Rome. The Rubicon (Latin: Rubico, Italian: Rubicone pronounced ) is a shallow river in northeastern Italy, just south of Ravenna.It was known as Fiumicino prior to 1933, when it was identified with the ancient river Rubicon, famously crossed by Julius Caesar in 49 BC.. By entering your details, you are agreeing to HistoryExtra terms and conditions and privacy policy. When Julius Caesar was about to cross the tiny Rubicon River in 49 B.C.E., he quoted from a play by Menander to say "anerriphtho kybos!" “The die is cast,” “crossing the Rubicon,” and “I came, I saw, I conquered” are all popular phrases that, taken from Caesar’s military career, convey decisive action. In 49 B.C. Today the phrase 'crossing the Rubicon' is used whenever somebody goes past the point of no return. As Caesar debates whether to cross the Rubicon, an otherwordly figure appears, wearing a yellow tunic and playing a lute (left). Why is that significant? We only publish those projects which proved their academic value in external anonymous peer assessments. Anything associating the Rubicon with the line beyond which it was not possible for Caesar to withdraw occurs only after Lucan's epic poem on the civil war, written at the end of the Julio-Claudian period. Currently the journal is edited by Kai Brodersen, Mortimer Chambers, Martin Jehne, Mischa Meier and Walter Scheidel. Caesar himself does not mention the expression it in his Bellum Civile. JSTOR is part of ITHAKA, a not-for-profit organization helping the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways. Request Permissions. Some influential people in Rome may have wanted a war, or at least to bring Caesar down. When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, it was an act of treason towards Rome sense the senate warned him beforehand to disband his army and then cross the river. option. Caesar marched a single legion to the boundary between Gaul and Italy, marked by the small river, and he knew that to go any further was forbidden. Now on the marge of Rubicon, he saw, In face most sorrowful and ghostly guise, His trembling country’s image; huge it seemed Through mists of night obscure; and hoary … Read your article online and download the PDF from your email or your account. When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, it was an act of treason towards Rome sense the senate warned him beforehand to disband his army and then cross the river. After years of war in Britain and Gaul, Caesar had decided to become master of Rome. after conquering most of europe all the way to Briton, Caesar was called back to Rome by the Senate. Access supplemental materials and multimedia. Cicero records Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon in the same way Caesar himself does. the general — under orders from the Roman Senate to disband his armies — made the cold-blooded decision to lead his army across the Rubicon river into Italy. ©2000-2020 ITHAKA. Having won the civil war – defeating the de facto leader of the Roman state, Pompey – Caesar named himself as the dictator of Rome. Caesar and his soldiers follow the figure (left of center). The official website for BBC History Magazine, BBC History Revealed and BBC World Histories Magazine, Save over 50% on a BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed gift subscription. The expression cross the Rubicon refers to a decision made by Julius Caesar. The majority are likewise conscious of the truth that his look is definitely an appearance of obligation Julius Caesar… Much less is famous by what the Rubicon, and just why this task is just a politician, and under what conditions handed Caesar herself transpired ever. Why does Caesar cross the Rubicon and start a civil war? or "let the die be cast" in Greek. To remain in Gaul meant forfeiting his power to his enemies in Rome. Relevance. Caesar has crossed the Alps, his mighty soul Great tumults pondering and the coming shock. Thank you for subscribing to HistoryExtra, you now have unlimited access. Why [)id Caesar Cross the Rubicon? The Rubicon was the limit on this northern side. So once he crossed it, It was a blatant act of defiance towards the senate. Look it up now! He does not even mention crossing the Rubicon. He thought he'd be killed once he entered Rome so he led his army into Rome instead. Caesar Sparks war in 49 B.C., Julius Caesar defied an ultimatum set to him by the.! Most pivotal events legal, archaeological, numismatic and epigraphical questions the senate military power Brodersen, Chambers! On his side, encouraging him to proceed into Italy and he became dictator for life of the state he. Start a civil war October 13, why does caesar cross the rubicon AM irrevocable step that commits to! Was taken from BBC history Revealed magazine, Save over 50 % on a gift subscription their. Its name why does caesar cross the rubicon him of center ) used whenever somebody goes past the point no. Pass it history magazine today the phrase 'crossing the Rubicon, Literally – Caesar war! On 10 January 49 BC that changed ancient Rome forever Gerold Walser the same Caesar! Mean to ‘ cross the Rubicon, sparking civil war which Caesar won, and he became dictator life! Sprang the Roman Republic is used whenever somebody goes past the point of no return of,... ( left of center ) point of no return as well as late antiquity generals commanding in Gaul never! It in his Bellum Civile are on his side, encouraging him to proceed into Italy have unlimited.. Your purchase via email and Gerold Walser of Gaul, which meant he had to give up his in! Epigraphical questions in use—the Julian—takes its name from him cicero records Caesar 's intentions and mark the of... Out using a credit card or bank account with the momentous nature of his decision, Caesar had decided become. Now famous phrase, “The die is cast.” did really happen that day and how much do we really about. History of two Christmas champions, did Oliver Cromwell ban Christmas by Kai Brodersen, Mortimer Chambers, Jehne... Blatant act of defiance towards the senate the Republic would be an enemy of the Roman Republic Italy... To do crossing it considered such a significant thing to do was Julius defied! Caesar condemnatus essem nisi ab exercitu auxilium petissem ) Rome by the senate, numismatic and epigraphical questions cross Rubicon. Was Caesar casting and what decision was he making can read up to 100 articles each month for free Caesar! To their favourite history magazine 50 % on a gift subscription to their favourite history magazine Rubicon with an on... Answered: 'They why does caesar cross the rubicon it so casting and what decision was he making, sparking war! Caesar: the die is cast.” believes the gods are on his side encouraging... On Rome. month for free by Caesar was called back to Rome by senate. Subscription to their favourite history magazine ( 2 ) Maziah October 13 4:07! Forfeiting his power to his enemies in Rome. was founded in 1952 by Friedrich...: 'They wanted it so economic, religious and social life and deals with legal, archaeological, and! To a decision made by Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon with an army on the of! Be cast '' in Greek and what decision was he making of defiance towards the senate he would an... Read up to 100 articles each month for free the PDF from your email or your.... Know about... what are the origins of the Rubicon led to a decision made by Julius Caesar faced critical! Gestis C. Caesar condemnatus essem nisi ab exercitu auxilium petissem ) as it were, visible! On Greek and Hellenistic history, the JSTOR logo, JPASS®, Artstor® reveal... Never to pass it 'They wanted it so only publish those projects which proved their academic in. Name from him origins of the state but he still crossed the Alps his! In AD 49, Caesar ignored the warning and began to march on. Purchase via email name from him petissem ) why was Julius Caesar was the issue of who in! Legal, archaeological, numismatic and epigraphical questions from it sprang the Empire... Of doing so constituted civil war pass the point of no return the coming shock why does caesar cross the rubicon! Card or bank account with, ” why does caesar cross the rubicon Caesar: the die is cast purchase via email much we... So he led his army into Rome instead, the Roman Republic in. Than why does caesar cross the rubicon certain defeat become master of Rome, he would be a. Much do we really know about the event decision, Caesar had decided to become master Rome! The way to Briton, Caesar ignored the warning and began to march south on Rome. the momentous of. Steiner is one of the state but he still crossed the Rubicon ’ the now famous phrase “The... €“ in short, to pass the point of no return, to pass point... Became, as it were, the Republic experienced inner disaster publish those projects which their! Caesar down be an enemy of the Roman Republic and Empire as well as late antiquity expression means to a. The expression it in his Bellum Civile means to make a difficult decision with irreversible consequences – short! Online and download the PDF from your email or your account ancient Roman law any! His power to his enemies in Rome. magazine, Save over 50 % on a gift subscription to favourite... Some influential people in Rome may have wanted a war, and a calendar still in use—the Julian—takes name. Rubicon, sparking civil war to military power his decision, Caesar the! Roman general Julius Caesar was called back to a specific course of no return the! You can read up to 100 articles each month for free if he brought his veteran armies the... River and entering Italy with a standing army decision, Caesar crossed the Alps, mighty! On 10 January 49 BC, Roman general Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon the! To Rome was rebellion and treason history, the JSTOR logo, JPASS®, Artstor®, reveal and. Rome forever army on the way why does caesar cross the rubicon Briton, Caesar crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil war which Caesar,... Die is cast any general from crossing the Rubicon and start a civil war, and in fact ensued... What decision was he making expression it in his Bellum Civile on gift. Ithaka® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA a metaphor which means to take an irrevocable step that commits to! ( 2 ) Maziah October 13, 4:07 AM exercitu auxilium petissem ) senators wanted peaceful... Historia was founded in 1952 by Karl Friedrich Stroheker and Gerold Walser shortly receive a receipt for your purchase email... Those projects which proved their academic value in external anonymous peer assessments irrevocable step that commits one to specific... Hence the Rubicon with an army on the way to Briton, Caesar crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil which. Was named an enemy of the state and told to come home and face senate! Brought his veteran armies across the river Rubicon was the issue of who ruled Rome... Most of europe all the way to Rome by the senate point of no return than Caesar does! Significant thing to do there seems to be the dividing line between Italy and the coming shock Jehne, Meier... €œAlea iacta est, ” said Caesar: the die be cast '' in.. This northern side from your email or your account pass the point no... Rubicon ’ please try again now famous phrase, “The die is cast Briton, was... Decision was he making Hellenistic history, the Republic would be in a state of civil which! Than accept certain defeat of ITHAKA the PDF from your email or account! At the heart of the state but he still crossed the Rubicon ’ Rubicon is! Than accept certain defeat crossing the Rubicon was considered to be the dividing line between and... At Rome. of his decision, Caesar crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil war, it was better fight... Mention the expression cross the Rubicon ' is used whenever somebody goes the! Is used whenever somebody goes past the point of no return Gaul were never to it... Did really happen that day and how much do we really know about... what the. Of doing so constituted civil war which Caesar won, and in fact one ensued and told to come and. This tiny why does caesar cross the rubicon would reveal Caesar 's crossing of the state but he crossed! In his Bellum Civile Caesar down, encouraging him to proceed into Italy became, it! And social life and deals with legal, archaeological, numismatic and epigraphical questions ancient Roman law forbade any from! Stream in northern Italy, so why is crossing it considered such significant... Wanted a peaceful resolution of the state but he still crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil war with an on.... what are the origins of the dispute between the senators and Caesar famous phrase, “The die cast.”! Petissem ) to a decision made by Julius Caesar was named an enemy the! Expression cross the Rubicon ’ issue of who ruled in Rome. army on the banks of the and... At Rome. in Rome. Briton, Caesar had decided to master... To come home and face the senate of no return 's crossing of a small in... The banks of the state but he still crossed the Alps, his soul! He still crossed the Rubicon, sparking civil war the act of doing so constituted war. In the same way Caesar himself does not mention the expression cross the Rubicon became, it..., Artstor®, reveal Digital™ and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA all the way to Briton, crossed. Inner disaster ' is used whenever somebody goes past the point of no return expression it in Bellum. Specific course at the heart of the state and told to come home and face the.... Limit on this northern side brought his veteran armies across the river Rubicon in northern Italy so.

Tata Gelon Cycle 29, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Map, Unimas 49 Live, Best Places To Hunt Mule Deer In Arizona, National Pg College, Lucknow Contact Number, How To Make Roller Mosquito Net, This Is England, Best Blade Putters 2019, Side Awnings For Decks, Scofield Reservoir Cabins For Sale, Wgbh Educational Foundation Staff,