Have you ever wondered how often we use the phrase "the die is cast"? Who said it and what does it mean? You will find answers to the questions posed in the article.
The history of the appearance of the expression
In the first century BC, Italy was not yet the great Roman Empire, but was only on its way to world domination. To strengthen their power and authority, the emperors needed to expand their possessions through aggressive campaigns in nearby lands.
The future emperor, proconsul Gaius Julius Caesar, having gathered his military forces, set off to conquer Cisalpine Gaul, the path to which ran through the Rubicon (in Latin, "Rubicon" is a red river). But Caesar's campaign was not approved by the Senate, an order was even issued to disband the troops.
Gaius Julius Caesar disobeyed the Senate, and in January 49 BC. e. the legion approached the shores of the Rubicon. Stopping, Caesar hesitated whether he should move on, because if you cross the Rubicon, then there will be no way back. Being in great doubt, Caesar nevertheless decides to cross the river, saying at the same time: “The die is cast.”
Some historians claim that before saying this phrase, he really threw some kind ofdice, indicating that you should go. According to others, "the die is cast" was only a phrase.
After crossing the Rubicon, Caesar entered into open war with the Senate and eventually overthrew the emperor. The victory was for Caesar. From this moment begins the history of the great power - the Roman Empire.
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Still arguing about the true origin of the great emperor, who turned a small country into a mighty empire. Some scholars argue that Gaius Julius Caesar was from a we althy family, but most are inclined to believe that he entered the ranks of the aristocrats only after marrying a rich woman, Cornelia.
Their marriage provoked the wrath of the dictator Rome Sulla. Refusing to dissolve the marriage, Julius Caesar found salvation in the army and after some time became a very successful commander. After the death of Sulla, he managed to return to Rome and begin his political career. His popularity grew and was strengthened by the successful opposition to Mithridates VI Eupator, who tried to organize an invasion of Rome.
A decade later, Caesar was able to capture Gaul, while not forgetting to prepare the ground for continuing his political career in Rome. After the civil war of 49-48 BC. e. and the overthrow of the power of Pompey, Caesar takes the imperial throne.
Having entered into an alliance with the ruler of Egypt, Cleopatra, he enlists international support for decisive reforms in the state. All subsequent years of his reign were marked by reforms in all spheres of life. Hewill continue its aggressive campaigns and significantly expand the territory of the small Roman Republic.
The reforms and policies of Gaius Julius Caesar were positively perceived by the population, but the reaction of the Senate was unambiguously negative. During the reign of Caesar, the senate tried in every possible way to undermine his authority and turn the people to his side. In the end, the Senate organized a conspiracy against Caesar. During a speech in the Senate, he was treacherously stabbed to death by Brutus. Gaius Julius Caesar once overthrew the emperor, and he himself overtook the same fate.
Meaning of the phrase
As already mentioned, it is possible that Caesar was throwing the dice when he said: "The die is cast." By doing so, he implied that he was making one of the most important decisions of his life. He intended to overthrow the emperor.
His decision was unconditional, and there was no other way, it was final. So this is the point of no return. The phrase acquired its metaphorical character only by the seventeenth century.
Researchers highlight another metaphor left by Gaius Julius Caesar. Over time, the crossing of the Rubicon River itself gained symbolism. There was an expression "to cross the Rubicon". As in the case of the phrase "the die is cast", the idiom "to cross the Rubicon" means to decide on an important step, it is also a kind of point of no return, meaning that there is no turning back.
Latin version
The phrase "the die is cast" in Latin has reached our time- Alea jacta est ("alea yakta est"). But few people know that the famous phrase, according to the ancient Greek historian Plutarch, was said in Greek and is nothing more than a quote from Menander.
