核心课·Level6·Unit2·PART·3

The Murder of Caesar（凯撒谋杀案）

1️⃣In this course, we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news.2️⃣ Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises(危机）. 3️⃣Once in a while, an event is extraordinary（奇特的） and will change the world.4️⃣In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever. This historic event was the assassination（暗杀）of the Roman leader, Julius Caesar. We willnever know how history mighthave beendifferent hadthis event not takenplace.But we can speculate what caused it and how in might have been prevented（阻止）. 

(Many of the senators hated him./This kind of language is often used in news reports.)

One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar. 1️⃣At the time of his death in 44 B.C., he was the leader of the Roman Empire.2️⃣ His title was “Dictator for Life” which meant he had absoluteauthority(权力） for as long as he lived. 3️⃣He had gained this power through his successes as a military commander. 4️⃣In fact, some historians consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history. 

1️⃣Once gaining power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government. 2️⃣For example, he increased the number of senators（参议员）and changed how they were chosen.  3️⃣Instead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome. 4️⃣These actions reduced the power of individual senators and shifted the power to Caesar himself. 5️⃣In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy(贵族）. However, he also had many admirers who supported his efforts to end corruption（腐化、堕落）. 

(The aristocracy is the ruling class of a country./He was reducing their power./He changed how senators were chosen./…wouldn’t have created as many enemies.)

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 subordinates（低级别的）.He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed his security force not long before the assassination. If he hadn’tdismissed it, the assassination attemptmight not have succeeded. 

(A group of army subordinates./He dismissed his security force./Many of the senators hated him./He refused to realize how his actions had angered so many powerful men./If he hadn’t acted against the aristocracy, he wouldn’t have created as many enemies./He increased the number of senators and changed how they were chosen./He appointed members of his army to rule while he was away from Rome./He shouldn’t have dismissed his security force.)

On the day of his assassination, it is reportedthat Caesar may have been handed a warningnote ashe entered the senate. If he didreceive such a note, he didn’t read it. It seems as if he was in a stateof denial and refusedto recognizethe danger that was facinghim. Once he had entered the senate, he was surroundedby senators holding daggers, or knives.The first blow hitCaesar in his neck and drew blood. Then the other senators joinedin and stabbedhim repeatedlyuntil he fell to the floor and died. In total, he suffered 23 knife wounds. 

(He may have been overconfident and in a state of denial./He refused to realize how his actions had angered so many powerful men./If he did receive the warning note and had read it, he might have escaped./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.)

With his death, power shiftedto his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revengeagainst the assassins. Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide. After a power struggle, Octavian strengthenedhis position as leader and ruledthe Empire for many years. In the end, Caesar’s attemptsto end corruption failed. 

(He may have been overconfident and unaware of the magnitude of the danger facing him./If he did receive such a note, he didn’t read it.)