Why did Brutus and Cassius plot to kill Caesar?
Meanwhile, among the throng stood Cassius, Caesar’s avowed political opponent, and Brutus, the general’s personal friend. Envious of Caesar’s growing popularity, Cassius probed to discover where Brutus’ deepest sympathies lay. He voiced a concern he had: Caesar was becoming overly “ambitious.” Unless something was done to check his fame, he would soon seize all power for himself. This could, effectively, turn the Roman Republic into a dictatorship. Cassius then apprised Brutus of a plot he had hatched : He and a band of other prominent Romans were planning to assassinate Caesar. Was Brutus willing to join in the conspiracy? Brutus admitted that he shared the same inner concern: “I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king.” But still Brutus hesitated to involve himself in such a plot. After all, he dearly loved and admired Caesar. Even so, he couldn’t deny that Caesar’s rapid rise to power constituted a potential threat to the Republic. Brutus promised Cassius that he would consi
