The Ides of March is on Monday, March 15, 2027, and it falls on March 15 every year. In the ancient Roman calendar, it marked the middle of the month. It’s remembered today as the day Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE.
When Is the Ides of March?
It’s always March 15. The Ides was a reference point in each Roman month, near its middle. It fell on the 15th in March, May, July and October, and on the 13th in the other months, Britannica explains.
What does “Ides” mean?
Romans counted days backward from three markers in each month. The Kalends fell on the first day, tied to the new moon. The Nones came around the 5th to 7th, and the Ides marked the full moon, St Neots Museum explains.
The Ides was also a common deadline for settling debts.
What Happened on the Ides of March?
On March 15, 44 BCE, a group of senators stabbed Julius Caesar to death at a Senate meeting near the Theater of Pompey in Rome. The conspirators included Brutus and Cassius. His body was found to have 23 stab wounds.
The plotters feared Caesar was making himself a king. Shakespeare later turned the scene into the most famous moment of his play.
Before Caesar: a festive day
March was the first month of the early Roman year, so its Ides was the year’s first full moon. The Ides were sacred to Jupiter, and his high priest led a sheep along the Via Sacra for sacrifice.
The same day held a feast for Anna Perenna, a goddess of the year, which closed the new year celebrations.
Why Is the Date Still Remembered?
Caesar’s murder changed Roman history. Instead of saving the Roman Republic, it set off years of civil war. Caesar’s heir, Octavian, eventually became Augustus, Rome’s first emperor.
Shakespeare then made the date famous worldwide. Today the Ides of March is a fun hook for learning about ancient Rome, its calendar and its politics.
How to Mark the Ides of March
- Read or watch Julius Caesar: the assassination scene is Act 3, Scene 1.
- Visit the site virtually: look up Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome, where the remains of Pompey’s complex sit.
- Toast with a Roman menu: serve flatbread, olives, figs and honey cakes at dinner.
- Learn Roman dates: March 13 was “the third day before the Ides,” since Romans counted both ends.
- Host a toga trivia night: quiz friends on Roman emperors, gods and famous phrases.
- Explore the Roman calendar: look up the Kalends and Nones for this month and mark them on your own calendar.
- Read Plutarch or Suetonius: both ancient writers described Caesar’s final day.
Where Does the “Beware” Warning Come From?
A soothsayer named Spurinna had warned Caesar about the date, Britannica notes. William Shakespeare made the warning famous in his play Julius Caesar, where the soothsayer tells him, “Beware the Ides of March.”
Today, the phrase is a playful warning that trouble may be coming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ides of March always on the 15th?
Yes. March was one of four months whose Ides fell on the 15th, along with May, July and October.
Who killed Julius Caesar?
A group of Roman senators. The best-known conspirators were Brutus and Cassius.
Where was Caesar killed?
At a Senate meeting near the Theater of Pompey in Rome. Its remains are at Largo di Torre Argentina.