Cassius (Fully Caius Cassius Longinus)

Cassius (Fully Caius Cassius Longinus)

Cassius (Fully Caius Cassius Longinus),

one of the murderers of Julius Caesar, first appears in history as the quaestor of Crassus in the unfortunate campaign against the Parthians, B.C. 53, when he greatly distinguished himself by his military skill. After various public services he conspired with Brutus against Caesar, B.C. 44, and in the anarchy that followed he usurped the presidency of Syria, in which capacity his violent conduct toward the Jews is related by Josephus (Ant. 14:11 and 12). The forces of the conspirators were defeated by Antony at Philippi, and Cassius commanded his freedmen to put an end to his life, B.C. 42. — Smith, Dict. of Class. Biog., s.v. Longinus. Josephus also mentions another (Caius) Cassius Longinus as appointed governor of Syria, A.D. 50, by Claudius, in the place of Marcus (Ant. 20, 1:1; comp. 15:11, 4). He was banished by Nero, A.D. 66, who dreaded his popularity at Rome (Smith, ut sup.).