Artists - Diane Zeise
Et tu, Brute?
Ides of March, 44 B.C. Account from the journal of a Roman Patrician
Today my Rome was shattered.
The murmuring streets grew to a clamor,
Apollo glinted off knives diving into
Julius Caesar’s heart.
In their fervor blood flew,
splattering the walls,
painting their faces. Eyes
rolled back into their heads, froth
brimming at their mouths. They
slashed wildly, blindly, until their
blood mixed with Caesar’s.
Their hearts and words were steady,
so none would know their secret intent,
so well was it hidden in their hearts.
How nervous they must have been,
screaming inside their minds;
bloodlust raging, hands shaking.
Yet their hands were steady and words smooth like oil.
“The Liberators”—though conspirators all, avengers of Pompey—
see the cowards scatter through crowds, blood dripping from palms,
a red trail to follow the traitors. They flee knowing their honor has been forsaken:
betrayed their country and familias, not just three times, but five-and-thirty.
Not for silver pieces, but for their greed of the Res Publica.
I well remember Lucretia, and no kings are welcome here,
yet is life the price for victory and rightful prize to rule?
Was it worth never again being welcomed back into Rome’s arms?
And you, Brutus? Were you not leader, converter of them all?
Did you not sway him to come out despite his suspicions, bad omens from visions and divination,
by saying “Make your own courage your favorable omen”?
Did not Caesar’s eyes cry “Kai su, teknon?”
*Et tu, Brute?: Latin for “And you, Brutus?” portrayed in Shakespeare’s play as Julius Caesar’s last words.
*Familias: Roman extended family or household controlled by the paterfamilias (Head Male).
*Kai su, teknon?: Greek for “You too, child?” some say this phrase was Caesar’s last, or that he said nothing.
*Res Publica: Republic of Rome
Diane Zeise
Et tu, Brute?
Ides of March, 44 B.C. Account from the journal of a Roman Patrician
Today my Rome was shattered.
The murmuring streets grew to a clamor,
Apollo glinted off knives diving into
Julius Caesar’s heart.
In their fervor blood flew,
splattering the walls,
painting their faces. Eyes
rolled back into their heads, froth
brimming at their mouths. They
slashed wildly, blindly, until their
blood mixed with Caesar’s.
Their hearts and words were steady,
so none would know their secret intent,
so well was it hidden in their hearts.
How nervous they must have been,
screaming inside their minds;
bloodlust raging, hands shaking.
Yet their hands were steady and words smooth like oil.
“The Liberators”—though conspirators all, avengers of Pompey—
see the cowards scatter through crowds, blood dripping from palms,
a red trail to follow the traitors. They flee knowing their honor has been forsaken:
betrayed their country and familias, not just three times, but five-and-thirty.
Not for silver pieces, but for their greed of the Res Publica.
I well remember Lucretia, and no kings are welcome here,
yet is life the price for victory and rightful prize to rule?
Was it worth never again being welcomed back into Rome’s arms?
And you, Brutus? Were you not leader, converter of them all?
Did you not sway him to come out despite his suspicions, bad omens from visions and divination,
by saying “Make your own courage your favorable omen”?
Did not Caesar’s eyes cry “Kai su, teknon?”
*Et tu, Brute?: Latin for “And you, Brutus?” portrayed in Shakespeare’s play as Julius Caesar’s last words.
*Familias: Roman extended family or household controlled by the paterfamilias (Head Male).
*Kai su, teknon?: Greek for “You too, child?” some say this phrase was Caesar’s last, or that he said nothing.
*Res Publica: Republic of Rome
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