1/5) Caesar crossed the small Rubicon river with his 13th Legion, on this day January 10, 49 BC. Crossing this boundary into Italy with his forces, he effectively declared war on the Roman state. Plutarch vividly describes the point of no return:
"When he reached the river...
"When he reached the river...
2/5) "..known as the Rubicon, he paused to reflect; now as he drew nearer and nearer to the dreadful step. His mind wavered as he considered the tremendous magnitude of this venture. He ordered a complete halt and for a long time he weighed matters up silently in his own mind"..
3/5) .."his resolution wavered back and forth and his purpose suffered change after change. For some time too he discussed his perplexities with his friends around him. He considered the sufferings which him crossing the river might bring upon mankind, but he also...
4/5) .."imagined the great fame which this story would leave to posterity. Finally, a sort of passion came over him, as though he were throwing all calculations aside and abandoning himself to whatever the future might have in store"..
5/5) .."he uttered the phrase frequently used by those who are on the point of committing themselves to desperate and unpredictable chances: "Let the die be cast," he said, and with these words he hurried across the river."
(Plutarch, Life of Caesar)
(Plutarch, Life of Caesar)
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