The Conspirators

CassiusBrother-in-law of Brutus; organizes the conspiracyagainst Caesar and recruits Brutus by passionate argument and by deviously placed, forged letters.

Marcus Brutus (Brutus)widely admired for his noble nature; joins the conspiracy because he fears that Caesar will become a tyrant, but his idealism causes him to make several poor judgements; defeats Ocatavius’ forces in the first battle at Philippi, but loses the second battle and commits suicide rather than be taken prisoner.

Cinnaurges Cassius to bring "noble" Brutus into the conspiracy; places some of Cassius' forged letters where Brutus will discover them.

CascaInforms Cassius and Brutus of Caesar's attempts to manipulate the people of Rome into offering him the crown;joins the conspiracy the night before the assassination and is the first conspirator to stab Caesar.

Cicerosenator and a famous orator of Rome; meets Casca the night proceeding the day of the assassination. The triumvirs have him put to death.

Flavius and MarullusTribunes who wish to protect the plebians from Caesar's tyranny; condemn the plebeians for cheering Caesar, when once they cheered for Caesar’s enemy Pompey; punished for removing the decorations from Caesar’s statues during his triumphal parade.

Non-Conspirators

Julius CaesarA successful military leader; becomes easily flattered and overly ambitious. He is assassinated midway through the play; later, his spirit appears to Brutus at Sardis and also at Philippi.

Calphurnia wife of Julius Caesar; urges him to stay at home on the day of the assassination because her prophetic dream in which Caesar's body is a fountain of blood.

Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony)devoted to Caesar and offers him a crown;is militarily accomplished, politically aware, and skilled at oration; dupes Brutus into allowing him to speak at Caesar's funeral and excites the crowd to rebellion; one of the triumvirs; defeats Brutus and Cassius at Philippi.

The soothsayerwarns Caesar during the feast of Lupercal to "Beware the ides of March” and again warns Caesar as he enters the Senate House.

Portia wife of Brutus and daughter of Marcus Cato; argues that those relationships make her strong enough to conceal Brutus’ secrets; commits suicide on the morning of the assassination when she realizes that her husband's fortunes are doomed.

Artemidorusgives Caesar a letter warning him of the plot to kill him as he enters the Capitol, but Caesar does not read it.

Popilius Lenawishes Cassius well in his "enterprise" as Caesar enters the Senate House; causes Cassius and Brutus to fear that they have been betrayed.

Octavius Caesaradopted son and heir of Caesar; one of the triumvirs who rule following the death of Caesar. He and Antony lead the army that defeats Cassius and Brutus at Philippi.

M. Aemilius Lepidusjoins Antony and Octavius to form the 2nd Triumvirate following the assassination of Caesar;is weak and used to run errands.

Young Catoson of Marcus Cato; brother of Portia; brother-in-law of Brutus; soldier in the army commanded by Brutus and Cassius; dies during the second battle at Philippi while trying to inspire the army.