5. Marcus Brutus

Marcus Brutus was a Roman statesman who helped assassinate Julius Caesar because he wanted to break his power. On March 15, 44 B.C. Brutus and other men stabbed Julius Caesar to death as he entered a meeting of the Senate.

After the Senate took over control of Rome again, Brutus was sent to govern the eastern part of the Roman Empire. In 43 B.C. Brutus killed himself after he had been defeated by Octavian and Mark Antony in the Battle of Philippi.


Words

  • assassinate = murder an important person
  • defeated = lost
  • govern = rule
  • stab = push a knife into someone
  • statesman = politician or leader who is respected by many