懂你英语 Lever6-Unit2-Part3 : Listening :The murder of ceasar

In this course we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises. Sometime the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises. Once in a while, an event is extraordinary and will change the world.

  In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever. This historic event was the assassination of the Roam leader, Julius Ceaser. We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place. But we can speculate what caused it and how it might have been prevented. One of the most famous assassinations in history was the leader of the Roman Empire. His title was”Dictator for life” which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived. he had gained this power through his succcesses as military commander. In fact, some historians consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.

  Once gaining power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government. For example, he increased the number of senators and changed how they chosen. Instead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome. These actions reduced the power to caesar himself. In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy. However, he also had many admires who supported hie efforts to end corruption.

  Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Roman Senators on March 15,44 B.C. He was scheduled to leave Rome 3 days later to fight in another war. He had appointed members of his army to rule the empire while he was away. This action angered many in the Roman Senate who didn’t want to take orders from Caesar ‘s subordination. If he hadn’t dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.

  on the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered the senate. If he did receive such a note, he didn’t read it. It seems as if he was in a state of denial and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him. Once he had entered the Senate, he was surrounded by Senators holding daggers, or knives. The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood. Then the other senators joined in and stabbed him repeatedly untill he fell to the floor and died. In total, he suffered 23 knife wounds.

  With his death, power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assasssins. Eventually,several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide. After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the empire for many years. In the end, caesar’s attempts to end corruption failed.