The Ides of March refers to March 15th on the Roman calendar and marks the full moon. It was a day to honor the Roman god Mars and hold military parades. Most notably, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by his friends and people on the Ides of March. The document provides background on the origins and significance of the Ides of March in Roman history and culture.

1. The Ides of March…Beware

2. What are the Ides of March?The Ides of March (or March 15th) is the start of the year on the Roman calendar.Ides comes from the Latin word ‘idus’ and represents the fifteenth day of the Roman calendar months…IdusMartii is probably chosen as the beginning of the year because of the moon phases and it was a full moon.The month of March is a month inspired by the Roman god ‘Mars’

3. MarsWas the Roman god of war and also the Roman god of achieving wisdom…On the Ides of March the Romans held a military parade to honor him.

4. Who is involved with the Ides of March?The Ides of March is most commonly acknowledged by the fact that Julius Caesar, one of the most popular Roman emperors, was stabbed by his friends and people, resulting in his murder.George Clooney also happens to be involved with the Ides of March, yet in a very irrelevant, unrelated way…(he is the star of an upcoming political drama entitled ‘The Ides of March’)

5. The Ides of March I hope I have slightly increased your knowledge base, and enlightened you on the events and importance of the ‘Ides of March’…This year the ‘Ides of March’ falls on a Tuesday, as always March 15th, and of course 2011.