Crossing the Rubicon
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The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" is an idiom meaning "passing the point of no return". Its meaning comes from the crossing of the Rubicon river by Julius Caesar in January 49 BC at the head of the 13
An idealized 1849 illustration of the crossing by Jacob Abbott (History of Julius Caesar). Modern historians, such as Mary Beard, note that Caesar likely crossed at night in a carriage, rather than on horseback as depicted here.
Retrato de Julio César
Caesar's civil war
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Caesar's civil war occurred during the late Roman Republic between two factions led by Julius Caesar and Pompey. The main cause of the war was political tensions relating to Caesar's place in the Repu
Crossing the Rubicon
…allowed to command an army within Italy proper, and by crossing the river with his forces was defying law and risking death. The crossing precipitated a civil war, which eventually led to Caesar becoming dictator for life (dictator perpetuo). Caesar had previously been appointed governor of a region that stretched…
Renaissance inscription claiming to have been erected by Julius Caesar at the spot where he addressed his army after crossing the Rubicon. Rimini, Italy.
Pompey flees from Pharsalus, as imagined by a 1882 drawing
Pompey is murdered in Egypt, as imagined by a 1880 drawing