[Born B.C. 85. Died B.C. 42. Aged 43.]
The friend of Cicero--the fellow conspirator of Cassius--one of those
who shared in the deed memorable to all time--questionable in its
own--of killing Julius Cæsar. From his earliest youth, and through life,
absorbed in study and self-contemplation, to the detriment of his powers
as a man of action. He was much attached to Cato, whom he accompanied to
Cyprus, when it was found necessary to remove the republican leaders
from Rome. We are accustomed to think of Brutus--Shakspeare being
greatly answerable for the thought--as standing aloof from the vulgar
ambition and desires of his fellow-men; yet we find him in Cilicia (B.C.
53), growing rich by letting out money at usurious interest. In the
civil war of Pompey and Cæsar he took part with Pompey; Cæsar, however,
gave orders that at the battle of Pharsalia his person should be sacred.
Grateful for the consideration, Brutus, upon the defeat of Pompey, asked
pardon from Cæsar, which was generously accorded. In B.C. 48, appointed
by Cæsar governor of Cisalpine Gaul: the inhabitants of which, delighted
with his mild treatment of them, and his justice, honoured him with
public monuments. Four years later he joined the conspiracy against his
patron, and burdened his hand with the death of that great soldier. Then
took up arms against Antony; but suffering defeat at Philippi, fell by
his own sword. His reading and varied knowledge were immense: he was
speculative, superstitious, and highly imaginative. His aspirations pure
and noble, but his practical ability small, and his judgment imperfect
and too easily led. He wrote much, his chief productions being his
orations.
[From the Capitol at Rome, where it stands in the same gallery as the
Dying Gladiator (No. 309) in the Nave.]