Brutus

November 1, 2017

The assassination of Julius Caesar involved many conspirators, but for one--Marcus Junius Brutus--involvement in the act meant turning into a divisive figure: a traitor eternally chewed by Satan in Dante's Inferno, the complex "noblest Roman" in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and a topic of endless debate among historians. Tempest's (Cicero) study of Brutus thankfully eschews questions of morality regarding Brutus's actions and instead focuses on a biographical and historical examination. Acknowledging the lack of many primary sources by and about Brutus, the author relies on those which do exist as well as measured analysis of his times and environment to offer theories (not assertions) on his life and mind-set. Tempest also uses sources by other authors who give varying accounts of Brutus's character and actions to explore how these conflicting interpretations have been shaped by the opinions of chroniclers. VERDICT Thoughtful, clear, and with thorough references and appendixes, this should be a valuable resource for anyone interested in delving into Brutus the historical figure, and Brutus the person. It would also pair nicely with Kirsty Corrigan's Brutus.--Kathleen McCallister, Tulane Univ., New Orleans

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