BRUTUS, Lucius Jumus, figures in the legendary history of early Rome, as the who overturned the monarchical, and established the republican form of government. The legend runs that he.was the son of a rich Roman. On his father's death, Tarquin the proud took possession of the property, and put an elder brother to death, and B. himself only escaped the same fate by feigning idiocy (hence the name Brutus, stupid). The oracle of Delphi foretold that he should govern in Rome. Remembering his own wrongs. and gifted with the strength and wisdom of one who was fulfilling the decrees of fate, 13., when the foul rape committed.by one of the royal family upon Lucretia had shocked the people, convoked them, placed himself at their head, and drove the kings from Rome. He is said to have been then elected one of the two first consuls (509 B. C.). That his character as n stern old Roman hero might be complete, the legend adds that he sacrificed to the new republi8 his own sons. detected in a conspiracy to restore the monarchy; and that at last he fell in mortal combat repelling an attack led on by one of the sous of Tarquin. Little more, however, can be said to be established upon suf ficient historical evidence with regard to B., than that there existed a person of that name who held high oflice in Rome at a very early period.
BRUTUS, Jumus, b. 85 B.C., appears to have spent the early years of man hood in exclusive devotion to literary pursuits, and not to have taken part in the politi cal dissensions agitating Rome till he bad attained a mature age. When the civil war broke out between Pompey and Cesar, he sided with the former; but after the battle of Pharsalia, made his submission to the latter, and, in the following year, was appointed governor of Cisalpine Gaul. On returning to Rome, he divorced his wife, in order to marry Portia, the daughter of Cato, of whose principles in politics he professed to be a disciple. The influence of Cassius prevailed upon him to join the conspiracy which ended in the murder of Csar. The efforts of B. to retain popular favor afterwards being unavailing to counteract the effects of the eloquence of Antony, he was forced to leave first Rome, and then Italy. The remainder of his life was spent partly in Athens, partly in Asia glinor, and partly as the leader of a marauding force which maintained itself by plundering the inhabitants of the eastern shores of the Adriatic. Defeated by Antony and Octavmuus (Augustus) at Philippi (42 u.c.), he terminated his life by falling upon his sword.