In this course, we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news.
Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often, we learn of problems and crises.
Once in a while, an event is extraordinary and will change the world.特别的；离奇的；
In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever.
This historic event was the assassination of the Roman leader, Julius Caesar.
We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place.
But we can speculate what caused it and how it might have been prevented.
One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.
At the time of his death in 44 B.C., he was the leader of the Roman Empire.
His title was "Dictator for Life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.
He had gained this power through his successes as a military commander.
In fact, some historians consider him to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.
Once gaining power, he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government.
For example, he increased the number of senators, and changed how they were chosen.
Insead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome.
These actions reduced the power of individual senators, and shifted the power to Caesar himself.
In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy.
However, he also had many admirers who supported his efforts to end corruptions.
Caesar was stabbed to death, by a group of Roman senators, on March 15, 44B.C.
He was scheduled to leave Rome 3 days later to fight in another war.
He had appointed members of his army to rule the empire while he was away.
This action angered many in the Roman senate who didn't want to take orders from Caesar's subordinates.
He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed his security force not long before the assassination.
If he hadn't dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.
On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered the senate.
If he did receive such a note, he didn't read it.
It seemed as if he was in a state of denial and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him.
Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers, or knives.
The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood.
Then the other senators joined in and stabbed him repeatedly until he fell to the floor and died.
In total, he suffered 23 knife wounds.
With his death, power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assassins.
Eventually, several of the leading assassins were either killed or committed suicide.
After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the Empire for many years.
In the end, Caesar's attempts to end corruption failed.
(He contributed to his own death by not realizing how his actions had angered so many powerful men.)
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