#historicalstudies

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Ides of March: A striking event inspiring Historical Studies and Literature

You can remember soothsayers foretelling or warning to Julius Caesar “Beware the Ides of March”, however, do you know from where the term has been originated? William Shakespeare has adapted Ides concept from Roman calendar where among ten months, Maritius (March) is the first month. As per history and Literature, King Romulus created the calendar based on the lunar phase around 753 B.C. As full moon phase lies on 15th day of any month termed as Ides, March 15 considered being the first full moon phase of a new year.

As per historical studies, on Ides of March, late Roman Republic people celebrate a New Year festival by gathering on banks of Tiber River. However, later Ides of March is considered as strange, sinister and sordid among public conscious. Probably, you have heard the word “Ides of March” in Roman Literature, Julius Caesar as date of his assassination. According to public notion, Ides of March promote negative vibes or spirits. However, among historical studies, opposite connotations still persist. As per the words of Bard, Caesar met a foreteller and came to know about Ides of March. Historian Barry Strauss has contradicted Caesar's visit to a soothsayer for inquiring about his future in his historical studies.

From the Roman calendar, Ides of March has made its significant presence in historical studies as well as in literature. The Assistant Professor of Classical at Georgetown University Josiah Osgood has mentioned in his study or literature about Cicero’s letter by referring ‘The Ides changed everything’.

Presence of Ides of March in Literature is inevitable in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as by the period of Caesar, a stiff and long Republican Government was headed by two consulting groups. The concept of Ides has inspired historical studies and literature to gift readers some suspense and thriller novel. Thorton Wilder’s ‘The Ides of March’ has no difference. Modern literature also unravels the same inspiration in ‘The Customs Law of Asia' which does not deal with ancient Roman history, however, express unfolded drama in political turmoil.  

Though Ides of March has a humble origin, historical studies have made it significant by considering it as a grim miasma. The nefarious existence of Ides of March is ranging through television episodes of ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’. Even, Ryan Gosling and George Clooney telecasted a political thriller named ‘The Ides of March’ in 2011. They have shown modern context of Julius Caesar’s unfortunate demise.

Historical studies and Literature have proved strange tragic occurring on Ides of March. In 1952, on Ides of March, La Reunion received the highest rainfall for 24 hours which raise water level of the Indian Ocean by 73.62 inches. It is ominous. Isn't it? On the Ides of March of 2003, WHO announced global health alert for SARS.