Beware the Ides of March! These famous words from Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, written in 1599, are a warning to Caesar. Due to his ambitious political goals Caesar became alienated from many of the nobles and on the Ides of March, March 15th in 44 BC, he was assassinated by two of his followers, Cassius and Brutus. How people felt about Caesar’s death at the time depended upon their political affiliation. Some were horrified and some found it an event to celebrate!
How many other cultures invented so many reasons to celebrate? The Roman culture had gladiator matches at the Colosseum and chariot races at the Circus Maximus to numerous festivals and elaborate dinner parties. The Romans were a party people! Even today, people come from all places to Rome to celebrate the ‘Ides of March Toga Run’, held on the closest Sunday to March 15th, with an annual run through Roman streets dressed in togas. Everywhere people celebrate the Roman culture and remember the event of Caesar’s death that made the Ides of March famous.
Want to do as the Romans do? Hold your own celebration this Ides of March! Plan a night to invite friends to come dressed in togas or white sheets, lay out the delicious fruits and rich foods the Romans enjoyed with red fruit juice or wine, put on the movie ‘Gladiator’ with Russell Crowe or your best tunes and enjoy!!