Brutus

Marcus Junius (85-42 B. C.), a noted Roman citizen. He was a nephew of Cato and a follower of Pompey. After Caesar had overthrown Pompey in the battle of Pharsalia, he received Brutus kindly and made him governor of Cisalpine Gaul, and later of Macedonia. None the less Brutus allowed himself to be drawn into the conspiracy described in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and even raised his hand to stab his benefactor. No wonder that Caesar, seeing him, cried out, "And you, too, Brutus!" After Antony had aroused the populace to fury, Brutus fled to his former government of Macedonia, placed himself at the head of the Roman legion in that province, and joined Cassius in Asia. They were beaten by the forces of Antony and Octavius. Brutus fell on the point of his sword and ended a life that should have turned out far otherwise. In Shakespeare's speech of Brutus to the citizens of Rome we have his own self justification:

If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's to him I say that Brutus's love for Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I lov'd Caesar less, but that I lov'd Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar lov'd me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition.

See Caesar