Plutarch, Lives: Caius Martius Coriolanus: Julius Caesar: Marcus Brutus: Marcus Antonius: Octavius Caesar Augustus: Theseus: Alcibiades (ed. Thomas North)

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[p. 105]

The Life of Marcus Brutus

• I. Parentage of BRUTUS.
• 2. His studies.
• 3. He sides with POMPEY.
• 4. He is saved by JULIUS Caesar at the battle of PHARSALIA.
• 5. Caesar makes him governor of GALLIA CISALPINA. He contends with CASSIUS for the Praetorship of the city.
• 6. He is distrusted by Caesar.
• 7. CASSIUS endeavours to gain over BRUTUS to conspire against CAESAR.
• 8. BRUTUS and CASSIUS induce many tojoin them in their conspiracy.
• 9. Magnanimity of PORTIA, the daughter of CATO, and wife of BRUTUS.
• I0. Dangers besetting the conspirators.
• 11. PORTIA'S terrors.
• 12. Assassination of CAESAR.
• 13. Why ANTONIUS was not also slain.
• 14. BRUTUS makes an oration in the Capitol.
• 15. Oration of ANTONIUS at CAESAR'S funeral.
• 16. Murder of CINNA the Poet, and flight of the conspirators.
• 17. Arrival of OCTAVIUS CAESAR at Rome.
• 18. BRUTUS leaves ITALY, to the great grief of PORTIA, and arrives at ATHENS.
• 19. He is attacked by the disease called bulimy. He captures CAIUS ANTONIUS.
• 20. Formation of the first triumvirate.
• 21. Function of the armies of BRUTUS and CASSIUS.
• 22. A comparison of their characters.
• 23. Burning of the city of XANTHUS.
• 24. Noble acts of BRUTUS.
• 25. Quarrel of BRUTUS and CASSIUS.
• 26. Apparition of a spirit to BRUTUS, and appearance of two eagles.
• 27. Preparations for battle.
• 28. The battle of PHILIPPI.
• 29. Defeat and death of CASSIUS.
• 30. Conduct of BRUTUS after the f rst battle.
• 31. Second battle, and defeat of BRUTUS.
• 32. Death of STATILIUS, and suicide of BRUTUS and of PORTIA.

I.

The parentage of Brutus.

Marcus Brutus came of that Junius Brutus, for whom the ancient Romans made his statue of brass to be set up in the Capitol, with the images of the kings, holding a naked sword in his hand: because he had valiantly put down the Tarquins from the kingdom of Rome.

Brutus' manners.

But that Junius Brutus, being of a sour stern nature not softened by reason, being like unto swordblades of too hard a temper, was so subject to his choler and malice he bare unto the tyrants, that for their sakes he caused his own sons to be executed. But this Marcus Brutus in contrary manner, whose life we presently write, having framed his manners of life by the rules of virtue and study of philosophy, and having employed his wit, which was gentle and constant, in [p. 106] attempting of great things, me thinks he was rightly made and framed unto virtue. So that his very enemies which wish him most hurt, because of his conspiracy against Julius Caesar, if there were any noble attempt done in all this conspiracy, they refer it wholly unto Brutus; and all the cruel and violent acts unto Cassius, who was Brutus' familiar friend, but not so well given¹ and conditioned as he.

Servilia M. Brutus' mother.

His mother Servilia, it is thought, came of the blood of Servilius Hala; who, when Spurius Melius went about² to make himself king, and, to bring it to pass, had enticed the common people to rebel, took a dagger and hid it close under his arm, and went into the market-place. When he was come thither, he made as though he had somewhat to say unto him, and pressed as near him as he could: wherefore Melius stooping down with his head to hear what he would say, Servilius stabbed him in with his dagger and slew him. Thus much all writers agree for³ his mother. Now touching his father, some, for the evil will and malice they bare unto Brutus, because of the death of Julius Caesar, do maintain, that he came not of Junius Brutus that drave out the Tarquins: for there were none left of his race, considering that his two sons were executed for conspiracy with the Tarquins; and that Marcus Brutus came of a mean house, the which was raised to honour and office in the common-wealth but of late time. Posidonius the Philosopher writeth the contrary, that Junius Brutus indeed slew two of his sons which were men grown, as the histories do declare; howbeit that there was a third son, being but a little child at that time, from whom the house and family afterwards was derived: and furthermore, that there were in his time certain famous men of that family, whose stature and countenance resembled much the image of Junius Brutus.

Servilia, Cato's sister.

And thus much for this matter:

¹ inclined.

² endeavoured.

³ as regards.

This text is based on the following book(s):
Plutarch. Rev. Walter W. Skeat. Shakespeare's Plutarch: being a selection from the lives in North's Plutarch which illustrate Shakespeare's plays. Macmillan and Co. 1875. London.