How often have you heard the expression “Crossing the Rubicon”, which is one that describes when you make an irrevocable decision.
I am asking if you know that the expression came from an event that actually happened on January 10, 49 B.C!
The Gallic Wars.
At this time the Roman Republic was teetering on the brink of civil war, while Julius Caesar was leading his army to a crushing victory in the Gallic Wars. The Romans were fighting the peoples of Gaul, which are those countries we today know as France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. Julius Caesar ran an aggressive Roman campaign that completely beat them.
Caesar is recalled to Rome.
He was a divisive figure, his successful campaign in Gaul meant he became popular, with the inevitable effect of the Roman Senate worrying about his popularity. All this meant that they became suspicious of him, so they ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome.
Now, at this point, Caesar assumed that once he arrived in Rome he would be arrested and exiled.
His response.
He decided to return to Rome, but to take one of his legions with him.
When he reached the Rubicon, the river that separated Italy from Gaul, he paused.
This is where Roman Law came into effect.
This was because Roman Law said that any military commander who entered the Italian peninsula at the head of an army was deemed an enemy of the state. The consequences for that general and his troops was that they were subject to execution, all of them!
What did he do?
Well, Caesar knew that by crossing the Rubicon he would be starting a civil war.
Therefore, as the historian Plutarch wrote, Caesar met with his officers, weighing the “great evils to all mankind which would follow their passage of the river” against the fame and glory that might await them if they did. After some time reflecting on what course to take, Plutarch wrote that Caesar suddenly exclaimed, “Let the die be cast!” and he led his men across the river.
Another Roman historian, Suetonius, claims that Caesar said, “Even yet we may draw back, but once cross yon little bridge, and the whole issue is with the sword.”
He crossed the Rubicon!
He knew the effect of this and what would follow. Civil War!
What happened next?
Yes, a civil war, that went on for the next five years, yes it took that long before Caesar finally won. He then became Rome’s dictator for life.
Today.
We use the expression “to cross the Rubicon” when we are reaching the point of no return.
Isn’t history interesting?
10 questions to discuss:
- Beyond Caesar’s popularity, were there any other specific reasons the Senate feared him after his Gallic Wars victory?
- If Caesar believed he would be arrested upon returning to Rome, why did he choose to bring an army instead of disbanding it as instructed?
- Did Roman law offer any exceptions or justifications for Caesar’s decision to cross the Rubicon with his army?
- Do historians believe the quotes attributed to Caesar by Plutarch and Suetonius are completely accurate, or could they be dramatizations?
- What were the key turning points in the five-year civil war that ultimately led to Caesar’s victory?
- Did Caesar truly become a benevolent dictator, or were there negative consequences to his rule beyond the civil war itself?
- Are there any other historical figures who made similarly momentous decisions with irreversible consequences?
- In what ways has the meaning of “crossing the Rubicon” evolved beyond its literal historical context?
- Can you think of any modern situations where crossing a metaphorical “Rubicon” might be relevant?
- How important is it to consider the historical context when using expressions like “crossing the Rubicon” to avoid misinterpretations?
These questions encourage deeper understanding of the event, Caesar’s motivations and consequences, and the broader application of the expression in various contexts.
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©Tony Dalton