How the mighty have fallen

"Who else would soar above the view of men, 

and keep us all in servile fearfulness..."

Julius Caesar

Shakespeare

Act I, Scene 1

Julius Caesar was assassinated on the 15th, or Ides, of March, 44 BC.  Ever since then, the Ides of March has been considered an ill-fated date. The Romans used the term "ides" to note the middle of a month.

A soothsayer made the spooky prophesy in the play Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March."

It's a myth that Caesar died a noble, dignified death with the last words, "Et tu Brute." Along with the soothsayer, that quote was a Renaissance (Shakespearean) invention.

Caesar was a hardened solider, and if you tried to stab this guy, he's going to fight back.  Even though he was cornered and out-numbered, it was a scrappy end. He probably pulled out his stylus (writing instrument) to defend himself. 

At any rate, the death of Caesar was a turning point in Roman history, one of the events that marked the transition from the historical Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

Speaking of Rome, it's the time of year when I like to watch movies from my little DVD collection of classic epics: The Ten Commandments, Spartacus, The Robe, Quo Vadis, and so on. Nothing says Easter afternoon like a ham in the oven and Ben Hur on the TV.

But first we have to finish up a sleazy, modern fall from greatness that we're streaming over Netflix.  Kevin Spacey is finally the president in Season 3 of House of Cards, and surprise, it hasn't made him a nice person. Ditto Wife Claire.  They spend a lot of time bickering and plotting on Air Force One, which looks like a Hilton Hotel.  Who knew?

What could possibly happen now that the Underwood's biggest ambition is realized?  Well, actually this season started out as sort of a dud, but the episodes are picking up momentum.

Since just about everyone who can has already binge-watched House of Cards, I'm being careful to avoid the Internet spoilers. We have 4 episodes to go.