Mark Twain First Published Killing of Julius Caesar Localized in 1864

Summary: American humorist Mark Twain first published "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized'" in 1864 in The Californian, a San Francisco literary weekly.

"We learn that the coat deceased had on when he was killed was the same he wore in his tent on the afternoon of the day he overcame the Nervii, and that when it was removed from the corpse it was found to be cut and gashed in no less than seven different places. There was nothing in the pockets" (Mark Twain, The Killing of Julius Caesar Localized, page 108); "There was nothing in the pockets," artwork by American book and magazine illustrator Frederick Strothmann (1872–1958), M. Twain, Editorial Wild Oats (1905), opposite page 82: Not in copyright, via Internet Archive

American humorist Mark Twain first published "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized'" as a short story in the Nov. 12, 1864, issue of The Californian, a San Francisco-based literary newspaper weekly.

Mark Twain, pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Nov. 30, 1835-April 21, 1910), included his parody of a newspaper report of the assassination of Roman general and statesman Gaius Julius Caesar (July 12, 100 BCE-March 15, 44 BCE) in his first book, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, published in 1867. "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized'" numbered as 12th of the book's collection of 27 previously published short stories.

Twain summarized "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized'" as ". . . the only true and reliable account ever published" (1869 edition, page 99). He credited "the Roman 'Daily Evening Fasces'" as the source for timely reporting on "the date of that tremendous occurrence." Fasces, bound bundles of wooden rods, reference an ancient Roman symbol of authority that appeared on the reverse of coins depicting Julius Caesar on the obverse.

The reporter expressed regret at not ". . . reporting in Rome when Caesar was killed -- reporting on an evening paper, and the only one in the city, and getting at least twelve hours ahead of the morning paper boys with this most magnificent 'item' that ever fell to the lot of the craft." Also, he would have attempted to interview "the dying Caesar" at the base of Pompey's statue. He would have coaxed last words from his prize interviewee: "Oh! come now, you an't so far gone, you know, but what you could stir yourself up a little and tell a fellow just how this thing happened, if you was a mind to, couldn't you -- now do!" (Twain, pages 99-100).

He overcame, nevertheless, his disappointment at his missed opportunity for live reporting of breaking news. For, as the writer seriously explained, he had the "rare satisfaction" of supposedly translating ". . . the following able account of it from the original Latin of the Roman Daily Evening Fasces of that date -- second edition" (Twain, page 101).

An "election row" motivated the political killing on March 15, 44 BCE, according to the Daily Evening Fasces. "It is said that when the immense majority for Caesar at the polls in the market was declared, the other day, and the crown was offered to that gentleman, even his amazing unselfishness in refusing it three times was not sufficient to save him from the whispered insults of such men as Casca . . . and other hirelings of the disappointed candidate, . . . who were overhead speaking ironically and contemptuously of Mr. Caesar's conduct upon that occasion" (Twain, pages 102-103).

The crown refusal referenced the festival of Lupercalia, an ancient Roman annual pastoral festival celebrated on Feb. 15. Roman militarian and politician Marcus Antonius "Mark Antony" (Jan. 14, 83-Aug. 1, 30 BCE) attempted three times during the ceremonies to crown Caesar as king with a laurel-adorned diadem but Caesar, wisely attuned to the crowd's disfavor of kingship, made multiple rejections of the offer, according to Greek biographer Plutarch (46 BCE-ca. 122 CE) in Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, commonly known as Parallel Lives. Antony ". . . carried a diadem, round which a wreath of laurel was tied, and held it out to Caesar. Then there was applause, not loud, but slight and preconcerted. But when Caesar pushed away the diadem, all the people applauded; and when Antony offered it again, few, and when Caesar declined it again, all, applauded," according to the translation (volume VII, page 585) first published in 1919 by American classicist Bernadotte Perrin (Sep. 15, 1847-Aug. 31, 1920).

Twain's account imbued the fortune teller's warning with local color. "Just as he was passing in front of Demosthenes & Thucydides's drug-store, he was observing casually to a gentleman, who, our informant thinks, is a fortune-teller, that the Ides of March were come. The reply was, 'Yes, they are come, but not gone yet'" (Twain, pages 103-104).

Contrastingly, Plutarch emphasized the date's prophesied fatefulness. "But destiny, it would seem, is not so much unexpected as it is unavoidable, since they say that amazing signs and apparitions were seen. . . . A certain seer warned Caesar to be on his guard against a great peril on the day of the month of March which the Romans call the Ides; and when the day had come and Caesar was on his way to the senate-house, he greeted the seer with a jest and said: 'Well, the Ides of March are come,' and the seer said to him softly: 'Aye, they are come, but they are not gone'" (Perrin, volume VII, pages 589, 591).

Pretextual petition by Twain's Metellus Cimber (Roman senator Lucius Tillius Cimber) to Julus Caesar, stationed in front of Pompey's statue, prefaced first strike by daggered Casca (Roman senator Publius Servilius Casca Longus); artwork by American artist and prolific Mark Twain illustrator Truman "True" W. Williams (March 22, 1839-Nov. 23, 1897), Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old (1875), page 162: Public Domain, via Internet Archive

Roman senator Lucius Tillius Cimber (ca. 85 BCE-42 BCE), identified as Metellus Cimber by Twain, provided the pretext for Caesar's assassination with his unsuccessful imploration for rescission of his brother's banishment. The first stab was made, confusedly and shallowly, by daggered Roman senator Publius Servilius Casca Longus (84 BCE-42 BCE).

"Instantly seizing upon this shallow pretext for a fight, Casca sprang at Caesar and struck him with a dirk, Caesar grabbing him by the arm with his right hand, and launching a blow straight from the shoulder with his left, that sent the reptile bleeding to the earth. He then backed up against Pompey's statue, and squared himself to receive his assailants" (Twain, pages 106-107).

Caesar bravely defended himself against the stabbing frenzy until his supposed friend, Marcus Junius Brutus ca. 85 BCE-Oct. 23, 42 BCE), drew his dagger. "And amid it all, great Caesar stood with his back against the statue, like a lion at bay, and fought his assailants weaponless and hand to hand, with the defiant bearing and the unwavering courage which he had shown before on many a bloody field," reported Twain. "But at last, when Caesar saw his old friend Brutus step forward, armed with a murderous knife, it is said he seemed utterly overpowered with grief and amazement, and dropping his invincible left arm by his side, he hid his face in the folds of his mantle and received the treacherous blow without an effort to stay the hand that gave it. He only said, 'Et tu, Brute?' and fell lifeless on the marble pavement" (Twain, pages 107-108).

Twain's fictitious Daily Evening Fasces provided a detail not included in Plutarch's account. "We learn that the coat deceased had on when he was killed was the same one he wore in his tent on the afternoon of the day he overcame the Nervii, and that when it was removed from the corpse it was found to be cut and gashed in no less than seven different places. There was nothing in the pockets. It will be exhibited at the coroner's inquest, and will be damning proof of the fact of the killing" (Twain, page 108).

"And amid it all great Caesar stood with his back against the statue, like a lion at bay, and fought his assailants weaponless and hand to hand, with the defiant bearing and the unwavering courage which he had shown before on many a bloody field," artwork by American artist and prolific Mark Twain illustrator Truman "True" W. Williams (March 22, 1839-Nov. 23, 1897), Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old (1875), page 164: Public Domain, via Internet Archive

The Battle of the Sabis, also known as the Battle Against the Nervii, took place in 57 BCE near modern Saulzoir in northern France. Despite a surprise ambush and such obstructions as impenetrably constructed, briary and thorny hedges, Caesar emerged victorious against the powerful Belgic tribe.

An announcement of an impending popular, riotous reaction to Caesar's assassination postscripted "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized.'" "Later. -- While the coroner was summoning a jury, Mark Antony and other friends of the late Caesar got hold of the body, and lugged it off to the Forum, and, at last accounts Antony and Brutus were making speeches over it and raising such a row among the people that, as we go to press, the chief of police is satisfied there is going to be a riot, and is taking measures accordingly" (page 109).

Plutarch described the mass unrest predicted by Twain. "But when the will of Caesar was opened and it was found that he had given every Roman citizen a considerable gift, and when the multitude saw his body carried through the forum all disfigured with its wounds, they no longer kept themselves within the restraints of order and discipline, but after heaping round the body benches, railings, and tables from the forum, they set fire to them and burned it there; then, lifting blazing brands on high, they ran to the houses of the murderers with intent to burn them down, while others went every whither through the city seeking to seize the men themselves and tear them to pieces" (Perrin translation, volume VII, page 603).

Twain's time-sensitive "translation," however, omitted Plutarch's inclusion of nature's displeasure with Caesar's assassination. ". . . among events of divine ordering, there was the great comet, which showed itself in great splendour for seven nights after Caesar's murder, and then disappeared; also, the obscuration of the sun's rays. . . ." (Perrin translation, pages 605, 607).

"While the coroner was summoning a jury, Mark Antony and other friends of the late Caesar got hold of the body, and lugged it off to the Forum," artwork by American artist and prolific Mark Twain illustrator Truman "True" W. Williams (March 22, 1839-Nov. 23, 1897), Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old (1875), page 165: Public Domain, via Internet Archive

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

"We learn that the coat deceased had on when he was killed was the same he wore in his tent on the afternoon of the day he overcame the Nervii, and that when it was removed from the corpse it was found to be cut and gashed in no less than seven different places. There was nothing in the pockets" (Mark Twain, The Killing of Julius Caesar Localized, page 108); "There was nothing in the pockets," artwork by American book and magazine illustrator Frederick Strothmann (1872–1958), M. Twain, Editorial Wild Oats (1905), opposite page 82: Not in copyright, via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/editorialwildoat00twaiuoft/page/n104/mode/1up

Pretextual petition by Twain's Metellus Cimber (Roman senator Lucius Tillius Cimber) to Julus Caesar, stationed in front of Pompey's statue, prefaced first strike by daggered Casca (Roman senator Publius Servilius Casca Longus); artwork by American artist and prolific Mark Twain illustrator Truman "True" W. Williams (March 22, 1839-Nov. 23, 1897), Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old (1875), page 162: Public Domain, via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/sketchesmark00twairich/page/162/mode/1up; Public Domain, via Project Gutenberg @ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3189/old/orig3189-h/images/p162.jpg

"And amid it all great Caesar stood with his back against the statue, like a lion at bay, and fought his assailants weaponless and hand to hand, with the defiant bearing and the unwavering courage which he had shown before on many a bloody field," artwork by American artist and prolific Mark Twain illustrator Truman "True" W. Williams (March 22, 1839-Nov. 23, 1897), Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old (1875), page 164: Public Domain, via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/sketchesmark00twairich/page/164/mode/1up; Public Domain, via Project Gutenberg @ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3189/old/orig3189-h/images/p164.jpg

"While the coroner was summoning a jury, Mark Antony and other friends of the late Caesar got hold of the body, and lugged it off to the Forum," artwork by American artist and prolific Mark Twain illustrator Truman "True" W. Williams (March 22, 1839-Nov. 23, 1897), Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old (1875), page 165: Public Domain, via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/sketchesmark00twairich/page/165/mode/1up; Public Domain, via Project Gutenberg @ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3189/old/orig3189-h/images/p165.jpg

For further information:

Depasse, René. "Le Meurtre de Jules César en fait divers." Mark Twain: Esquisses et autres. Un reportage sur le meurtre de Jules César aux Ides de mars 44 avant J.C, une satire des horlogers, des jugements peu aimables sur les Parisiens, la description d’un personnage étrange et une conférence amusante sur les délices du mensonge, cinq moments d’humour varié . . . Traduction: Gabriel de Lautrec (1867-1938). Consulter la version texte de ce livre audio (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9780027c). Télécharger ce livre audio par archive Zip: Mark-Twain -- Esquisses et autres.zip. Illustration: The Killing of Julius Caesar “Localized” (1905). (https://archive.org/details/editorialwildoat00twaiuoft/page/n104/mode/1up). Livre audio gratuit ajouté le 28/09/2009.
Available via Litterature audio.com @ https://www.litteratureaudio.com/livre-audio-gratuit-mp3/mark-twain-esquisses-et-autres.html

Dryden, John. "The most signal preternatural appearances were the great comet, which shone very bright for seven nights after Caesar's death, and then disappeared, and the dimness of the sun, whose orb continued pale and dull for the whole of that year, never showing its ordinary radiance at its rising, and giving but a weak and feeble heat. The air consequently was damp and gross, for want of stronger rays to open and rarify it. The fruits, for that reason, never properly ripened, and began to wither and fall off for want of heat, before they were fully formed." Page 580. Plutarch's Lives: The Dryden Plutarch. Vol. Two, Caesar: pages 530-581. Revised by Arthur Hugh Clough. First issue of this edition: 1910. Reprinted 1912, 1914, 1916, 1920. London and Toronto: J.M. Dent & Sons; New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1910.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/plutarchslivesdr02plutuoft/page/580/mode/2up

Kenty, Joanna. "Julius Caesar refused to be crowned king." The Conversation > Politics + Society. March 12, 2020.
Available @ https://theconversation.com/julius-caesar-refused-to-be-crowned-king-132239

Marriner, Derdriu. "Beware the Ides of March: The Assassination of Julius Caesar." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/beware-ides-of-march-assassination-of.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Beware the Ides of March Meal: Caesar or Brutus Salad, Cleopatra's Dulcis Coccora, Caesar Cocktail." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/beware-ides-of-march-meal-caesar-or.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Caesar Salad Recipe: Named for Chef Cesare Cardini, Not Julius Caesar." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 17, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/caesar-salad-recipe-named-for-chef.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Julius Caesar's Birth Quintilis 12/13 Became July in Julian Calendar." Earth and Space News. Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/07/julius-caesars-birth-quintilis-1213.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Waning Crescent Moon: Old Moon Signals End of Lunar Cycle via Completed Orbit." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, March 18, 2015.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/03/waning-crescent-moon-old-moon-signals.html

Perrin, Bernadotte. "Caesar. LXIX. . . . among events of divine ordering, there was the great comet, which showed itself in great splendour for seven nights after Caesar's murder, and then disappeared; also, the obscuration of the sun's rays. For during all that year its orb rose pale and without radiance, while the heat that came down from it was slight and ineffectual, so that the air in its circulation was dark and heavy owing to the feebleness of the warmth that penetrated it, and the fruits, imperfect and half ripe, withered away and shrivelled up on account of the coldness of the atmosphere." Pages 604-607. Plutarch's Lives. Vol. VII Demosthenes and Cicero, Alexander and Caesar. First printed 1919. Reprinted 1928, 1949, 1958, 1967. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., MCMLXVII [1967]).
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/plutarchslives07plut/page/604/mode/2up

Shapiro, James, ed. "'The Killing of Julius Cæsar “Localized.'" Library of America > Story of the Week > April 2021.
Available via Library of America @ https://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2021/04/the-killing-of-julius-csar-localized.html

Shapiro, James. ed. "'Mark Twain: The Killing of Julius Caesar (Localized)' (1864)." Shakespeare in America: An Anthology From the Revolution to Now. New York: Library of America, April 3, 2014.

Twain, Mark. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Other Stories. Edited by John Paul. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by C.H. Webb. New York: C.H. Webb, 1869.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/celebratedjumpin00twai/

Twain, Mark. "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized.'" Pages 99-109. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Other Stories. Edited by John Paul. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by C.H. Webb. New York: C.H. Webb, 1869.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/celebratedjumpin00twai/page/99/mode/1up

Twain, Mark. "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized.'" Pages 70-83. Editorial Wild Oats. New York and London: Harper Brothers, MCMC [1905].
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/celebratedjumpin00twai/page/99/mode/1up

Twain, Mark. "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized.'" Pages 162-166. Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old. Now First Published in Complete Form. Hartford, Conn., and Chicago, Ill.: The American Publishing Company, 1875.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/sketchesmark00twairich/page/162/mode/1up

Twain, Mark. "The Killing of Julius Caesar 'Localized.'" Pages 162-166. Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old. Now First Published in Complete Form. Hartford, Conn., and Chicago, Ill.: The American Publishing Company, 1882.
Available via Project Gutenberg @ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3189/old/orig3189-h/p7.htm#caesar