The Die Is Cast ('Alea Iacta Est')
Attributed by Suetonius, Julius Caesar addressed his 13th Legion at the Rubicon river in 49 BCE, making the fateful decision to march on Rome and initiate civil war.
Full Transcript
Coming up with his troops on the banks of the Rubicon, which was the frontier of his province, he halted for a while, and revolving in his mind the greatness of his step, turned to those about him, saying:
‘Even yet we may draw back; but once across that little bridge, the whole issue is with the sword.’
As he stood in suspense, a figure of extraordinary size and beauty appeared, sitting close at hand, playing upon a reed pipe. When news came that the tribunes had fled from Rome to his camp, Caesar cried out:
‘Let us go where the omens of the gods and the iniquity of our enemies call us. The die is cast!’
With these words, he led his legions across the river into Roman territory, changing the course of Western history forever.
Defining Key Excerpts
"The die is cast. Let us accept the challenge of the gods and our enemies."
"Even yet we may draw back; but once across that little bridge, the whole issue is with the sword."
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