The assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 BC, remains one of history’s most dramatic and studied events. The image of the powerful dictator falling under a flurry of daggers, particularly at the hands of those he considered friends, has been immortalized in literature and popular culture. A persistent detail that often surfaces in retellings is the sheer number of stab wounds Caesar sustained, frequently cited as “more than 20.” But is this a historical reality or a sensationalized myth? Let’s delve into the ancient accounts to uncover the truth behind Caesar’s final moments.

The primary historical sources providing details of Caesar’s assassination are the Roman historians Suetonius, Plutarch, and Cassius Dio. These authors, though writing centuries after the event, drew upon earlier accounts and likely had access to official records. Crucially, their testimonies largely converge on a surprising and gruesome detail: the number of wounds.

Suetonius, in his Life of Julius Caesar, states unequivocally that Caesar was “stabbed with three and twenty wounds.” He further notes that, according to the physician Antistius who examined the body, “of so many wounds none, in the opinion of the physician Antistius, would have proved mortal except the second one in the breast.” This detail is incredibly significant, as it suggests an early form of autopsy was performed on Caesar’s body, providing a medical assessment of the injuries. It implies that while the conspirators aimed for a spectacle of collective vengeance, only one blow was truly fatal. The intent was not just to kill, but to ensure that everyone involved in the plot had a hand in the act, binding them to the conspiracy and sharing the responsibility.

Plutarch, in his Life of Caesar, corroborates the number of wounds, also reporting “twenty-three.” His account paints a vivid picture of the chaotic scene, with conspirators crowding around Caesar, each eager to strike. He describes how the conspirators, in their haste and fervor, even wounded each other in the frenzied assault. Plutarch also mentions the tradition that Brutus, one of the leading conspirators, delivered a blow to Caesar’s groin. This particular detail, while dramatic, might have been added to emphasize the betrayal or carry symbolic weight, as some theories suggest it was meant to mock Caesar’s alleged promiscuity or even a supposed father-son dynamic with Brutus.

Cassius Dio, another Roman historian, also records the high number of wounds, suggesting that Caesar was “slain with many wounds (he had 23 stab wounds).” He emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the attack, noting that Caesar was “unable to say or do anything, but veiling his face, was slain with many wounds.” This highlights the suddenness and ferocity of the assassination, overwhelming Caesar before he could react effectively. The sheer volume of attackers, numbering between 60 and 70 senators, meant that many blows were delivered simultaneously or in rapid succession.

Considering the consistent accounts from these respected ancient historians, the claim of Caesar suffering “more than 20 stab wounds” appears to be not a myth, but a chilling historical reality. The number 23, specifically mentioned by both Suetonius and Plutarch, lends a remarkable specificity to the event. While the exact motivations for each individual stab might be debated, the collective effort to ensure Caesar’s death through multiple wounds served a clear purpose for the conspirators: to make it a shared act of “liberation” and to prevent any single person from claiming sole responsibility – or blame. The subsequent autopsy, the first recorded in history, further solidifies the veracity of these accounts, providing an early forensic insight into one of the most famous political assassinations in history. Caesar’s brutal end was a testament to the intensity of the political tensions in Rome, and the multitude of wounds served as a visceral symbol of the republicans’ desperate attempt to restore their perceived freedom.