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[[File: Ass of caesar one.jpg|300px|thumb|left|An 18th-century painting of Caesar’s assassination]]
The assassination of Caesar was a turning point in the history of Rome, not only did it end the career of one of the most powerful Romans, but it also initiated a chain of events that changed the very nature of Rome and its Empire. Among the consequences of the assassination were a brutal civil war and the rise of Mark Anthony and Octavian. The death of Caesar on the Ides of March sent the Roman Republic into a crisis that ultimately led to its abolition and the emergence of the Imperial system.
====Background====
On the Ides of March (15th of March), the conspirators lured their target to the Theatre of Pompey. After he arrived, one of the conspirators seized his toga and up to sixty assailants stabbed Caesar. Caesar later died because of blood loss. What were the motivations of those who killed Caesar? They were convinced that he wanted to become king and end the Republic. The killers of Caesar were all Republicans and they stridently believed in the Roman Constitution and the rule of the Senate. Brutus and the others thought that they were delivering the Romans from the tyranny. The assassination of Caesar was carried out to protect the Republic and to preserve the ancient Constitution of the city.<ref> Goldsworthy, p. 314</ref>
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====Immediate Aftermath of the Assassination====
====The Second Triumvirate====
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The Second Triumvirate saw the rise of Octavian and Mark Anthony, who became the most powerful man in Rome. Lepidus was decidedly the junior partner in the political arrangement. Octavian, Mark Anthony and Lepidus divided the Roman Empire between them, but Anthony and Caesar's heir soon deftly side-lined Lepidus. Anthony assumed responsibility for the pacification of the east which had become restive after the civil wars. Anthony successful reimposed Roman control over the Eastern section of the Roman Empire. The relationship between Mark Anthony and Octavian was sealed by a series of marriages. However, in truth, the two men were never really allies and both knew that there would be a day of reckoning. Still, the Second Triumvirate allowed Octavian and Mark Anthony to rule the Roman Empire.
While the empire was split between Anthony and Octavian, Octavian became the center of power in the Roman Empire. He was an effective ruler and did not repeat Casaer's mistakes. He created an imperial system while observing the outward form of the Republican system. As a result, he faced little opposition, even though he ended the Republic and crowned himself Emperor. The Imperial system created by Octavian lasted until 476 AD.
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====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====
*[[What made Julius Caesar a great general?]]
*[[Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?]]
*[[How did Caesar's conquest of Gaul change both Rome and Gaul?]]
*[[How did Julius Caesar rise to power?]]
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====Additional Reading====
====References====
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[[Category:Roman History]][[Category:Ancient WorldHistory]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Julius Caesar]]{{Contributors}}
