Ides of March 2023: Date, History, Reasons

Beware the Ides of March, or at the very least, know when “the Ides” occurs. (March 15). “Ides” is derived from the Latin word “idus,” which alludes to the middle day of each month in the ancient Roman calendar. The Ides are the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of all other months. In the Roman Empire, the seven days preceding the Ides were generally used to settle debts. Those who were unable to pay their debts on the Ides were typically imprisoned or sold into servitude, so they undoubtedly viewed these days as unlucky.

The background of Ides of March

The ominous cloud over the Ides of March has a deeper connection to ancient Rome. Julius Caesar was famously unlucky on the Ides of March in 44 B.C., when his senators assassinated him out of concern he would become a dictator.

For the purpose of attracting larger audiences and better evaluations, films frequently alter historical events to make them more entertaining. The same was true when William Shakespeare composed his renowned tragedy “Julius Caesar.”

According to author Barry Strauss, much of what is commonly believed about the unfortunate emperor’s demise on the Ides of March is founded more on Shakespeare’s play than on historical evidence. His book “The Death of Caesar” debunks the half-truths surrounding the tragic end of the ruler on the Ides of March in 44 B.C. Here are three falsehoods he dispels about the assassination of Emperor Julius Caesar on the Ides of March:

Myth 1: An unidentified seer warned Julius Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March.”
False. On February 15, 44 B.C., Spurinna, an Etruscan seer, foretold, “Beware the next thirty days.”

Myth 2: Brutus led the assassination plot and was Caesar’s closest friend.
In actuality, there were three conspirators: Brutus, Cassius, and Decimus. Decimus was believed to have been Caesar’s most trusted advisor and the leader of the assassination conspiracy.

Myth 3: Caesar’s final words were a noble “Et tu, Brute” (you too, Brutus).
The idea that Caesar singled out Brutus as he lay dying was a Renaissance invention. The emperor was a trained soldier who fought for his life and attempted to escape the ambush without ever uttering these remarks.

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5 REASONS WHY THE IDES OF MARCH DO NOT BOTHER US

Any day with such a towering gloomy cloud gives us ample reason to be gloomy. It is only one day in a year full with numerous occasions to rejoice and celebrate. So go ahead and adopt an attitude if that’s what you want to do today.

If you avoided reading this dismal classic English Literature 101 tragedy, you should be grateful. As you learn a new life motto — trust no one — it has a negative effect on your social relationships.

Pay all your debts today!

The 15th of March in 1952 saw the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in a 24-hour period: 73.62 inches over the island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean.

The cancellation of “The Ed Sullivan Show” on March 15, 1971, putting an end to its 23-year tenure, is perhaps the most tragic item on our list.

Brutus Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Ancient Rome (www.eduvast.com)

IDES OF MARCH DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	March 15	Wednesday
2024	March 15	Friday
2025	March 15	Saturday
2026	March 15	Sunday
2027	March 15	Monday