Rop Saltberg
He would never become emperor because his own senators brutally stabbed him to death. The assassination of Julius Caesar is reenacted annually in the center of Rome. It happens on the former Field of Mars, exactly the location where the drama took place according to historians.
The temple complex of the martius campus in Rome was accidentally discovered at the end of the last century during excavations for the construction of new houses. On what is now called Largo di Torre Argentina, according to historians, the Roman dictator Caesar died in 44 BC.
world power
"It's more than a play for us," says an actor who plays in the group of rebellious senators on the edge of the temples. 'We feel very connected to the history of Rome. Once upon a time, the rulers of this city were the leaders of a world power. That's the story we're telling, even if not all pieces of history have been passed down.'
“In his time, Europe was truly united. All of Europe spoke one language, had one currency. Once upon a time, Europe was one.”
The annual performance of the reckoning invariably attracts hundreds of spectators. 'Caesar was one of the most important Roman leaders, one of the people who stood at the cradle of our civilization,' says Sofia of ten, over-enthusiastically. At school she is just learning everything about the old empire. "He was killed because the senators wanted to return power to the people."
laurel wreath
The 21st century Romans diligently reenact their history, and carry 'their' Caesar off on a stretcher under a red cloth, with a golden laurel wreath on the chest. "We choose Caesar precisely because he was the man who made Rome great," says the actor of the group Storico Romano. We wish Italy had such a figure today. Remember that in his time Europe was truly united. All of Europe spoke one language, had one currency. Once Europe was one. And it was called Rome.'
Trajan
All of Europe? He shakes his head. The story of that small settlement in northern Gaul that continued to resist valiantly does not advance his group. With a serious face: 'We stick to real history.'
Between April 20 and 23, the group plays the story of Emperor Traiano, 1.900 years after his death. That happens during the birthday of Rome.
Knowing more? View on www.gruppostoricoromano.it.
Photo: Rop Zoutberg
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