Republic · Roman Empire Daily
In 49 BC, Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon river, an act of war against Rome itself.
Deep dive
By law, a general could not bring his army into Italy proper. Crossing the small Rubicon with his legion committed Caesar to civil war. Suetonius reports he declared the die was cast ('alea iacta est'). The phrase survives as a metaphor for a point of no return.
Source: Suetonius, 'Lives of the Caesars,' Julius 31–33.
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