Brutus
historical figure · 9 works · 17 mentions · 26 anchored passages
Marcus Brutus · my Brutus · our Brutus · you, Brutus · your Brutus · your uncle
in the texts
Tusculan Disputations
Addressee of the Tusculan Disputations, credited with prompting Cicero's return to philosophy.
So lately, after your departure, when several of my friends were with me at my Tusculan villa, I made trial of what I could do in that kind.
When at last I had been set free, either wholly or in great part, from the labours of advocacy and from my senatorial duties, I betook myself once more, Brutus, chiefly at your urging, to those studies which, though kept alive in my mind, had been laid aside as the times demanded and after a long interval interrupted;
As for me, Brutus, I judge that I must philosophize — for what better thing can I do, especially now that I have nothing to do?
On Moral Ends
The dedicatee of the work, addressed directly by Cicero, credited with encouraging the philosophical project and cited as a legal authority.
And yet in this very thing I act at your own provocation, by reason of that most welcome book on virtue which you sent me.
I was well aware, Brutus, that when I committed to Latin what philosophers of the highest genius and the most exquisite learning had treated in the Greek tongue, this labour of mine would meet with various criticisms.
Since that book seemed to win the approval both of yourself and of those whom I judged capable of forming a judgment, I have undertaken more, fearing that I might seem to rouse men's enthusiasm but be unable to hold it.
On the Nature of the Gods
The dedicatee of the work, addressed directly by Cicero at the opening.
While there are many matters in philosophy that even now have by no means been adequately explained, the inquiry into the nature of the gods is one of peculiar difficulty and obscurity, as you, Brutus, are very well aware — an inquiry which is at once the noblest of all for the understanding of the mind and indispensable for the regulation of religion.
The Rights of War and Peace
Roman statesman who condemned then imitated Cato's suicide.
Brutus, following the opinions of the Platonists, had formerly condemned the death of Cato, whom he himself afterwards imitated.
Construction Construed and Constitutions Vindicated
Roman statesman traditionally credited with the exclamation that virtue is but a name, invoked here as an analogy about words losing their substance.
Brutus exclaimed, “virtue, thou art but a name:
Meditations
A figure associated with the idea of a commonwealth under equal laws, known to Marcus through his brother Severus.
that through him I came to know Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dio, and Brutus, and conceived the idea of a commonwealth under equal laws, governed by equality and freedom of speech, and of a kingship that honours above all else the liberty of the governed.
Consolation to Marcia
Lucius Junius Brutus, legendary founder of the Roman Republic, who expelled the kings after Lucretia's death.
In the one in which Lucretia and Brutus cast the king off the necks of the Romans:
Letters to Lucilius
Roman figure whose death is depicted as base and shameful, seeking delay and pleading to live, in contrast to Cato.
Cato used it most honourably, Brutus most basely.
For this is that Brutus who, when about to die, sought delays for his death, withdrew to relieve his bowels, and, summoned to death and bidden offer his neck, said, "I will offer it, so may I live.
De Anima
One of Caesar's enemies at the battle of Philippi.
as when Caesar, otherwise ill, in the battle of his enemies Brutus and Cassius at Philippi, yet thinking he would bring back a greater danger from the foe, escaped, by a vision shown to Artorius, leaving the tent;