Question 1: What event took place on the Ides of March?
A Julius Caesar’s assassination
B Julius Caesar’s coronation
C Founding of the Roman Empire
On the Ides of March, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators after he was appointed ‘dictator perpetuo,’ or ‘dictator for life.’ The night before, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, dreamed of his death and urged him to stay home. Caesar disregarded her fears as well as a soothsayer’s warning to ‘Beware the Ides of March,’ sealing his tragic fate.
Correct Answer: Julius Caesar’s assassination
Question 2: Who became the first Roman emperor after Julius Caesar’s death?
A Marcus Lepidus
B Augustus
C Mark Antony
Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, was Julius Caesar’s great-nephew and adopted son. After Caesar’s death, he skillfully navigated political turmoil, including defeating rivals like Mark Antony and his wife Cleopatra, and went on to establish the Roman Empire. He remained the emperor from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE.
Correct Answer: Augustus
Question 3: Who wrote the play ‘Julius Caesar’?
A Ben Jonson
B John Webster
C William Shakespeare
Written in 1599, Shakespeare’s ‘The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,’ popularly known as ‘Julius Caesar,’ dramatizes the political intrigue surrounding Caesar’s assassination. It focuses on the moral dilemmas faced by key figures like Brutus and Cassius, and the aftermath of the conspiracy. Shakespeare’s iconic line, ‘Et tu, Brute?’ (often translated to ‘And you, Brutus?’) captures the shock of betrayal, making the play a poignant reflection on leadership and loyalty.
Correct Answer: William Shakespeare