Cassius (c. 85 BC–42 BC)

Roman general and politician, one of Julius Caesar's assassins. He fought with Marcus Licinius Crassus (the Elder) against the Parthians in 53 BC and distinguished himself after Carrhae by defending the province of Syria. He sided with Pompey against Julius Caesar on the outbreak of the civil war in 49 BC, but was pardoned after the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. Nevertheless, he became a leader in the conspiracy against Caesar which resulted in the latter's murder in 44 BC.

After Caesar's death, Cassius joined Brutus to lead the republican armies against Octavian and Mark Antony at Philippi in 42 BC. In the first battle, he commanded the left flank and was defeated by Mark Antony. Unaware that the right flank under Brutus had achieved success, Cassius despaired of the situation and committed suicide.