Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus
The trusted general who betrayed Julius Caesar, his close friend and benefactor, in history's most famous assassination.
Born -85 (age 2111)·Roman general, politician, and assassin of Julius Caesar (81–43 BC)·Birthday: April 27
Biography
Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus was not the Brutus of 'Et tu, Brute?' fame, but his role in the fall of Julius Caesar was arguably more pivotal. A skilled military commander, he fought loyally for Caesar in Gaul and the civil war, earning deep trust and significant provincial commands. This intimacy made his betrayal in 44 BC so devastating. While Marcus Brutus provided the conspiracy's philosophical veneer, Decimus provided the practical cunning. He used his friendship to lure Caesar to the Senate on the Ides of March, ignoring the dictator's wife's warnings. After the murder, however, his fortunes crumbled. He was given command in Gaul but was soon besieged by Mark Antony's forces. Attempting to flee to join Marcus Brutus, he was captured and executed on Antony's orders, becoming one of the first conspirators to fall in the brutal wars that followed.
#1 When Decimus Was Born
The biggest hits of -85
Decimus's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
-85Born
-80Started school
-72Became a teenager
-69Could drive
-67Could vote
-64Turned 21
-55Turned 30
-45Turned 40
-35Turned 50
-25Turned 60
-15Turned 70
-5Turned 80
2026Age 2111 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as a key naval commander for Julius Caesar during the siege of Massilia in the civil war against Pompey.
- Was appointed governor of Cisalpine Gaul by Caesar, a position of great strategic importance.
- Played an essential operational role in the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar in 44 BC.
- Authored surviving letters that provide a direct, contemporary view of the political chaos following Caesar's death.
Did You Know?
He was named in Caesar's will as a secondary heir, to be a guardian of any potential posthumous son.
Decimus was several years older than his more famous distant cousin, Marcus Junius Brutus.
The poet Cicero corresponded with him and addressed several letters of advice to him after Caesar's death.
His full name indicates he was adopted into the Brutus family, originally being from the Junia gens.
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