The Ides of March

The Ides of March (March 15) was marked on the calendar centuries before Pi Day (March 14). According to Grok:

The Ides of

(Image from Getty.edu)

March is a date on the Roman calendar that corresponds to March 15th. In the Roman system, the "Ides" marked the middle of the month and were originally tied to the full moon. For March, May, July, and October, the Ides fell on the 15th; for other months, it was the 13th.

Historically, the Ides of March is most famous for the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. A group of Roman senators, led by Brutus and Cassius, stabbed Caesar to death at a Senate meeting, fearing his growing power threatened the Republic. The event was later dramatized by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar, where a soothsayer warns, "Beware the Ides of March."

Today, it’s often referenced as a symbol of betrayal or a turning point. Since it’s March 15, 2025, right now, you’re living through it—hopefully with less drama than Caesar! Anything specific you’re curious about regarding it?

Julius Caesar was the first Shakespeare play I read. At first I was disappointed that the play was really about Brutus, who was one of the assassins of the famous conqueror. Then we delved into the play, stewarded by our very capable 7th-grade English teacher. To this day I remember "et tu, Brute", "the evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones" and of course "beware the Ides of March."

Were it not for Shakespeare, I doubt anyone would know--or care--about "Ides" (the middle of a month).