The Theater of Pompey

 The Ides of March, 44 BC, The Theater of Pompey

            Gaius Julius Caesar is shocked when his childhood friend, Publius Servilius Casca, tries to stab down on his shoulder. Casca is unlucky—his dagger barely grazes the skin, and only a trickle of blood drips down. Caesar tries to get away from Casca, but Casca is faster, and he grabs on to Caesar’s toga. None of the senators dare move.

            Casca calls out to his brother, Titiedius. "Brother, help me!"

            Titiedius springs forward, and then chaos ensues.

            Caesar wrenches free from Casca, rising from his seat. He stands up to face Gaius Cassius Longinus with a blade drawn, who slashes his face. Caesar doesn't know what's happening. Caesar backs away from Cassius, but then he bumps into Titiedius, who is already waiting. It is too late, because now Titiedius has his dagger in between Caesar's ribs.

            Caesar shouts out in pain. With blood leaking from his face and shoulder, blood pouring from his side, he doesn't know how long he'll live. He knows he'll pass out soon. He can already see yellow spots dance in and out of his sight from the loss of blood.

            From the corner of Caesar's eye—he turns his head slightly to get a look—two men rush forwards to help, however, they are pushed back; whoever the two men are, he is thankful, but he can't recognize them. His mind is dizzy now. He wants to close his eyes and rest for only a while.

            More people with daggers surge forwards to him. Caesar can discern his friend Decimus in the crowd. I would imagine that the best way to die would be sudden. Sudden and unexpected. He had only said that to the man the night before. Now Decimus was here, and he is part of the people bringing unexpected death to him. Were the gods mocking him?

            Caesar regrets not heeding the words of Spurinna and dismissing Calpurnia’s warning. It was only that very same morning when he last heard their words. He is snapped out of his thoughts as Decimus lands a strike on his thigh, and it burns. He feels like he can’t stand, and he falls to the ground.

            Now Marcus Junius Brutus steps forward, someone whom he had also trusted. Marcus’ hand is bleeding, his wound an accidental blow from Cassius.

            The rest you know.

            The whole thing was over in less than a minute.

            Caesar had his toga covering his face in the end, preserving his dignity.

            Marcus Junius Brutus was the first one to leave.

#

→ Part 10: The Funeral of Gaius Julius Caesar