| Born | First century BC |
| Died | 42 BC |
| Legacy | Martyr and symbol of the enduring principles of the Roman Republic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Gaius Cassius Longinus |
| Full name | Gaius Cassius Longinus |
| Occupation | General • politician |
| Affiliation | |
| Nationality | |
| Place of birth | Rome, Italy |
| Notable battles | Battle of Philippi |
| Significant event | Organized the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC |
Cassius Longinus (115 BC – 44 BC) was a Roman general and politician known primarily for orchestrating the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Born into wealth and power, Longinus had a successful military career before becoming a military and political rival of Caesar. In death, he has gone down as a martyr and a symbol of the ideals of the Roman Republic.
Cassius Longinus was born into a prominent noble family in Rome. His father, Caeso Cassius Longinus, was a consul and censor of the Republic. From an early age, Longinus was educated and trained in the art of warfare and was admitted to the military as a young officer. He distinguished himself with his martial prowess and strategic acumen, fighting in numerous battles across the Republic's expanding empire.
Longinus' reputation as a capable military commander grew over the years. He was appointed quaestor in 72 BC and subsequent positions culminated in his appointment as commander of Syria in the 50s BC. He commanded Roman legions with skill and discipline, and his troops admired his courage and leadership.
Cassius Longinus and Julius Caesar first met during their respective military careers. However, their relationship changed not from mutual respect but from opposition. As Caesar grew in power and influence, Longinus recognized his threat to the Republic's stability and the traditional power structures that Longinus championed.
The gulf between the two widened during Caesar's campaign in Gaul and subsequent civil war against Pompey the Great, in which Longinus took the latter's side. Pompey's defeat at Pharsalus in 48 BC left Longinus' faction weakened. Nevertheless, Longinus continued to resist Caesar's growing dictatorial powers.
As Caesar's rule became increasingly autocratic, tensions between him and Longinus grew. Longinus feared that Caesar would destroy what remained of the Republic in his pursuit of personal power. Eventually, he decided to take drastic action to remove Caesar from power.
In 44 BC, Longinus conspired with a group of other senators, known as the Liberators, to assassinate Caesar at a meeting of the Senate. Longinus, having secured the support of the famed Marcus Junius Brutus, emerged as the plot's chief mastermind.
On the Ides of March (March 15) of that year, Caesar was struck down by Longinus and the other Liberators. Following the assassination, Longinus briefly found himself at the head of a faction opposing Caesar's supporters Mark Antony and Octavian.
Longinus secretly believed that by eliminating Caesar, he would have saved the Republic from a tyrant, but his actions ignited a civil war between the Liberators and his political rivals.
Although Longinus had hoped that Caesar's death would usher in a return to the Republic's traditional form of governance, the assassination served only to exacerbate discord and instability throughout the Republic.
Faced with growing military pressure from Mark Antony and Octavian, the Liberators' forces suffered defeats at the Battle of Philippi and were rendered all but powerless. Longinus' dreams for a restored Republic were dashed.
In 42 BC, Longinus took his own life at the Battle of Philippi rather than face capture by enemy forces. He remains known as one of the Republic's most dedicated leaders, even if his methods were ultimately problematic and divisive.
Cassius Longinus' role in the assassination of Caesar made him a controversial figure, but his dedication to the Republic's ideals and principles was never in doubt. His actions underscored the continued struggle between the forces of authoritarianism and republicanism in the history of the Roman Republic and its eventual transformation into an empire.
In death, Longinus was immortalized not only as a skilled military commander but as a passionate republican who was willing to sacrifice everything for his ideals. Revered by some as a martyr and despised by others as a traitor, his actions had a lasting impact on the trajectory of Roman history.
