Still it seemed hardly probable that Brutus could be led to take a decided stand against Caesar, for they had been warm personal friends ever since the conclusion of the civil wars.  Brutus had, indeed, been on Pompey’s side while that general lived; he fought with him at the battle of Pharsalia, but he had been taken prisoner there, and Caesar, instead of executing him as a traitor, as most victorious generals in a civil war would have done, spared his life, forgave him for his hostility, received him into his own service, and afterward raised him to very high and honorable stations.  He gave him the government of the richest province, and, after his return from it, loaded with wealth and honors, he made him praetor of the city.  In a word, it would seem that he had done every thing which it was possible to do to make him one of his most trustworthy and devoted friends.  The men, therefore, to whom Cassius first applied, perhaps thought that they were very safe in saying that they would unite in the intended conspiracy if he would get Brutus to join them.  They expected Cassius himself to make the attempt to secure the co-operation of Brutus, as Cassius was on terms of intimacy with him on account of a family connection.  Cassius’s wife was the sister of Brutus.  This had made the two men intimate associates and warm friends in former years, though they had been recently somewhat estranged from each other on account of having been competitors for the same offices and honors.  In these contests Caesar had decided in favor of Brutus.  “Cassius,” said he, on one such occasion, “gives the best reasons; but I can not refuse Brutus any thing he asks for.”  In fact, Caesar had conceived a strong personal friendship for Brutus, and believed him to be entirely devoted to his cause.

[Sidenote:  Interview between Brutus and Cassius.]

Cassius, however, sought an interview with Brutus, with a view of engaging him in his design.  He easily effected his own reconciliation with him, as he had himself been the offended party in their estrangement from each other.  He asked Brutus whether he intended to be present in the Senate on the Ides of March, when the friends of Caesar, as was understood, were intending to present him with the crown.  Brutus said he should not be there.  “But suppose,” said Cassius, “we are specially summoned.”  “Then,” said Brutus, “I shall go, and shall be ready to die if necessary to defend the liberty of my country.”

[Sidenote:  Arguments of Cassius.]

Cassius then assured Brutus that there were many other Roman citizens, of the highest rank, who were animated by the same determination, and that they all looked up to him to lead and direct them in the work which it was now very evident must be done.  “Men look,” said Cassius, “to other praetors to entertain them with games, spectacles, and shows, but they have very different ideas in respect to you.  Your character, your name, your position, your ancestry, and the course of conduct which you have already always pursued, inspire the whole city with the hope that you are to be their deliverer.  The citizens are all ready to aid you, and to sustain you at the hazard of their lives; but they look to you to go forward, and to act in their name and in their behalf, in the crisis which is now approaching.”