Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Characters

List of Characters

Julius Caesar—Dictator of Rome

Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony)—Friend of Caesar and one of the leaders of Rome after Caesar’s death

Marcus Brutus—Friend of Caesar who kills him “for the good of Rome”

Cassius—Leader of the conspiracy against Caesar and brother-in-law of Brutus

Casca—The first conspirator to stab Caesar

Trebonius—Member of the conspiracy against Caesar

Caius Ligarius—Final member of the conspiracy, a sick man who joins them when Brutus asks him to help make Rome well

Decius Brutus—Conspirator who uses flattery to get Caesar to the Senate House

Metellus Cimber—Conspirator and brother of Publius Cimber who was banished from Rome

Cinna—Conspirator who urges Cassius to bring Brutus into the conspiracy to gain favorable public opinion

Flavius and Marullus—Tribunes who guard the rights of Roman citizens

Octavius Caesar—Nephew of Julius Caesar and first Roman Emperor

Lepidus—Ally of Antony and Octavius and one of the three rulers of Rome after Caesar’s assassination

Cicero—Roman senator and orator later killed by Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus

Publius—Elderly senator and witness to Caesar’s death

Popilius Lena—Senator who was opposed to Caesar

Calphurnia—Wife of Caesar who tried to keep her husband home on the day of his...

(The entire section is 403 words.)

Julius Caesar Characters Discussed (Great Characters in Literature)

Marcus Brutus

Marcus Brutus (MAHR-kuhs BREW-tuhs), one of the leading conspirators who intend to kill Julius Caesar. Although defeated in the end, Brutus is idealistic and honorable, for he hopes to do what is best for Rome. Under Caesar, he fears, the Empire will have merely a tyrant. Something of a dreamer, he, unlike the more practical Cassius, makes a number of tactical errors, such as allowing Marcus Antonius to speak to the citizens of Rome. Finally, defeated by the forces under young Octavius and Antonius, Brutus commits suicide. He would rather accept death than be driven, caged, through the streets of Rome.

Caius Cassius

Caius Cassius (KAY-yuhs KAS-ee-uhs), another leading conspirator, one of the prime movers in the scheme. A practical man as well as a jealous one, he is a lean and ambitious person. Some of his advice to Brutus is good. He tells Brutus to have Antonius killed; failure to do this dooms the conspirators to defeat. Like Brutus, Cassius commits suicide when his forces are routed at Philippi. To the last a brave man, he has fought well and courageously.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar (JEWL-yuhs SEE-zur), the mighty ruler of Rome, who hopes to acquire even more power. As portrayed in the play, he is a somewhat bombastic and arrogant man, possibly even a cowardly one. From the first, he mistrusts men who, like Cassius, have “a lean and hungry look.” Finally reaching for too much power, he is stabbed by a large number of conspirators led by Brutus and Cassius.

Marcus Antonius

Marcus Antonius (an-TOH-nee-uhs), also known as Mark Antony, the close friend of Caesar. Although he denies it, he has a great ability to sway a mob and rouse them to a feverish pitch. As a result of his oratorical abilities, he, with the help of a mob, forces the conspirators to ride for their lives to escape the maddened crowd. Later, along with Octavius and Lepidus, he is to rule Rome.


Calpurnia (kal-PUR-nee-uh), Caesar’s wife. Afraid because she has had frightful dreams about yawning graveyards and lions whelping in the streets, she begs her arrogant husband not to go to the capitol on the day of the assassination.


Portia (POHR-shuh), Brutus’s wife. When she learns that her husband has been forced to flee for his life, she becomes frightened for his safety. As matters worsen, she swallows hot coals and dies.

Decius Brutus

Decius Brutus (DEE-shuhs), one of the conspirators against Julius Caesar. When the others doubt that the superstitious Caesar will come to the capitol, Decius volunteers to bring him to the slaughter; he knows Caesar’s vanities and will play on them until Caesar leaves the security of his house.


Publius (PUHB-lee-uhs),


Cicero (SIHS-uh-roh), and

Popilius Lena

Popilius Lena (poh-PIHL-ee-uhs LEE-nuh), three senators.

A soothsayer

A soothsayer, who at the beginning of the play warns Caesar to beware the Ides of March. For his trouble, he is called a dreamer.

Artemidorus of Cnidos

Artemidorus of Cnidos (AHR-teh-mih-DOH-ruhs of NI-dos), a teacher of rhetoric who tries to warn Caesar to beware of the conspirators led by Brutus and Cassius. Like the soothsayer, he is ignored.


Casca (KAS-kuh),

Caius Ligarius

Caius Ligarius (lih-GAY-ree-uhs),


Cinna (SIHN-uh), and

Metellus Cimber

Metellus Cimber (meh-TEHL-uhs SIHM-bur), the other conspirators.


Flavius (FLAY-vee-uhs) and Marullus (ma-RUHL-uhs), tribunes who speak to the crowd at the beginning of the play.


Pindarus (PIHN-da-ruhs), Cassius’ servant. At his master’s orders, he runs Cassius through with a sword.


Strato (STRAY-toh), a servant and friend to Brutus. He holds Brutus’ sword so that the latter can run upon it and commit suicide.

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (ee-MIHL-ee-uhs LEHP-ih-duhs), the weakest member of the triumvirate after the deaths of Brutus and Cassius.


Lucius (LEW-shee-uhs), Brutus’ servant.

Young Cato

Young Cato (KAY-toh),


Messala (meh-SAY-luh), and


Titinius (tih-TIHN-ee-uhs), friends of Brutus and Cassius.

Julius Caesar Character Analysis

Antony (Character Analysis)

A professional soldier and public official. He has the third largest speaking role in the play. While his role in the first two acts of the...

(The entire section is 775 words.)

Brutus (Character Analysis)

Despite the play's title, Brutus is the central character of Julius Caesar, and it is within the anguished workings of Brutus's mind...

(The entire section is 1141 words.)

Julius Caesar (Character Analysis)

Julius Caesar, a Roman statesman and general, appears in only three scenes and is assassinated halfway through the play. Although he is the...

(The entire section is 1018 words.)

Cassius (Character Analysis)

Cassius is the instigator in the conspiracy against Caesar. Statements Cassius makes, particularly during the "seduction scene," suggest that...

(The entire section is 795 words.)

Other Characters (Descriptions)

Another Poet
An unnamed poet approaches the tent of Brutus to seek out Brutus and Cassius. He is ridiculed by both men...

(The entire section is 2513 words.)