The die is cast

Rome 49 BC.

Caesar with his army crossed the Rubicon and said: 'The die is cast.'

Background: Rome, unlike all the other major civilizations the world has seen, was not a monarchy. There was a Senate consisting of aristocrats which decided the political and economic fate of the state. The majority was the slave population with no rights.

Around 60 BC, the time when triumvirate ruled which was constituted by Caesar, Pompey and Crassus(who repressed the revolt by the gladitorial slaves led by Spartacus).

49 BC, Caesar crossed the river Rubicon which was the mark of his intention to defy law of Senate and to face the forces of Pompey. Crossing the Rubicon indicated his determination to move along a one way road, beyond the point of no return.

44 BC, The Roman Senators, who had always abhored the idea of monarchy, conspired against Caesar who returned with soaring ambitions from Egypts after his honeymoon with Cleaopatra, the Pharaoh Queen, and stabbed him 60 times to death.

But till then Caesar had inscribed his name indelibly on the surface of time.

History remembers the names of men who are not scared of throwing dice. Most of us die keeping it in our hands.