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The Jerusalem Post

Rome to open ancient square where Julius Caesar was killed

 
 A puddle reflects the Roman Colloseum following a rain shower in Rome. (photo credit: REUTERS)
A puddle reflects the Roman Colloseum following a rain shower in Rome.
(photo credit: REUTERS)

Accounts, embellished by William Shakespeare, tell how the Roman dictator was stabbed to death by a group of aggrieved senators on the Ides of March - March 15 - in 44 BC.

History buffs will be able to stroll close to the spot where legend says Julius Caesar met his bloody end, when Rome authorities open a new walkway on the ancient site on Tuesday.

Accounts, embellished by William Shakespeare, tell how the Roman dictator was stabbed to death by a group of aggrieved senators on the Ides of March - March 15 - in 44 BC.

According to tradition, he died in the capital's central Largo Argentina square - home to the remains of four temples

They are all currently below street level and up until recently could only be viewed from behind barriers close to a busy road junction.

William Shakespeare (credit: Wikimedia Commons)
William Shakespeare (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

From Tuesday, visitors will be able to move through the site at ground level on the walkway and see the structures up close.

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Italian fashion house Bulgari funded the work at a site that was first discovered and excavated during building work in Rome in the 1920s.

The area - close to where Caesar is supposed to have exclaimed "Et tu, Brute?" as he saw his friend Brutus among his murderers - is these days also home to a sanctuary for stray cats.

Non-residents will pay 5 euros ($5.50) to visit it.

($1 = 0.9161 euros)

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