Gaius Cassius Longinus

Gaius Cassius Longinus organised the assassination of Julius Caesar and was the more decisive of its two leaders. Born around 86 BC into a plebeian family of consular rank, he was educated in Greek philosophy and became an Epicurean, unusual among Roman politicians. He served as quaestor to Crassus in the Parthian campaign of 53 BC. After the catastrophe at Carrhae he gathered the survivors, held Syria with a fraction of the original force, and repelled a Parthian invasion in 51 BC — a genuinely impressive performance that made his reputation. He supported Pompey in the civil war, commanded part of his fleet, and surrendered to Caesar after Pharsalus. Caesar pardoned him and made him a legate and praetor, but passed him over for the urban praetorship in favour of Brutus, which he resented. He is generally credited with conceiving the conspiracy of 44 BC and with recruiting Brutus, whose name and reputation for integrity gave it legitimacy. He is also credited with the two pieces of advice that were rejected and would have changed the outcome: that Mark Antony should be killed alongside Caesar, and that he should not be allowed to deliver the funeral oration. After the murder he left for Syria, raised twelve legions, extracted enormous sums from the eastern provinces, and destroyed the city of Rhodes when it resisted. He joined Brutus at Philippi in October 42 BC. His wing was driven from its camp by Antony, and, unable to see through the dust that Brutus had beaten Octavian, he concluded the day was lost and had a freedman kill him.

• Lived: 85 BCE – 42 BCE
• Nationality: Italian
• Roles: military_leader, senator, conspirator