Marcus Junius Brutus
Marcus Junius Brutus (85-42 BC), Roman politician. Although he had constantly opposed Julius Caesar’s policies and fought for the republicans in 49 BC, Caesar pardoned and promoted him. However, he remained loyal to the republican cause and eventually joined in the plot to kill Caesar. Caesar’s murder did not result in the immediate restoration of the republic, however, and Brutus raised an army to fight Caesar’s lieutenant Mark Antony. Following his defeat at Philippi in 42 BC Brutus committed suicide, which he considered to be the only honourable course of action.
