Brutus

Brutus, MARCUS JUNIUS, born 85 B.C., appears to have spent the early years of manhood in exclusive devotion to literary pursuits, and not to have taken part in the political dissensions agitating Rome till he had attained a mature age. When the civil war broke out between Pompey and Cæsar, he sided with the former, but after the battle of Pharsalia made his submission to the latter, and in the following year was appointed governor of Cisalpine Gaul. On returning to Rome he divorced his wife in order to marry Portia, the daughter of Cato, of whose principles in politics he professed to be a disciple. The influence of Cassius prevailed upon him to join the conspiracy which ended in the murder of Cæsar (q.v.). The efforts of Brutus to retain popular favour afterwards being unavailing to counteract the effects of the eloquence of Antony, he was forced to leave first Rome, and then Italy. The remainder of his life was spent partly in Athens, partly in Asia Minor, and partly as the leader of a marauding force, which maintained itself by plundering the inhabitants of the eastern shores of the Adriatic. Defeated at Philippi (42 B.C.; see AUGUSTUS), he fell upon his sword.