What Is 'the Ides of March,' and Should You Beware It?

The phrase "Beware the Ides of March" was used in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar to warn the character of a dire warning. What does it mean? Why should we beware?

What are ‘ides?’

The first new moon of a month is referred to on the Roman lunar calendar. The new moon is referred to as the "Ides of March."

What’s the deal about March’s ides?

Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators on March 15, 44 BC, setting off a civil war that ultimately resulted in the formation of the Roman Empire. Julius was warned by a fortune-teller to beware on the 15th.

Even if a seer could see the future, there is no reason for us to be more concerned about The Ides of March than any other day.

How do we celebrate the Ides of March?

March 15 is National Shoe the World Day and the International Day of Action Against Canadian Seal Slaughter, but we don't do a lot to mark them.

March 15 was an important day in ancient Rome. It was the first day of the New Year on the Roman calendar and was a deadline day for paying debts. Caesar was stabbed to death by the senators on a day dedicated to paying debts and ringing in a new year, which is powerful symbolism.

Is the Ides of March actually unlucky?

There was a brutal raid on England by the French in 1368, and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939. We only say beware the Ides of March because of Shakespeare's play.

Other supernatural warnings of Julius Caesar’s assassination

The seer warned Shakespeare about Julius Caesar's assassination, but it wasn't the only one. The following warnings of doom preceded the political murder, according to The Georgics.

• Ill-boding dogs and birds that spell mischief sent signs which heralded disaster.
• Germany heard the noise of battle sweep across the sky.
• Phantoms of unearthly pallor were seen in the falling darkness.
• Beasts uttered human speech.
• Rivers stood still.
• In the temples ivory images wept for grief, and beads of sweat covered bronze statues.
• Never fell more lightning from a cloudless sky; never was comet’s alarming glare so often seen.