By Lubna Abdel-Aziz "Beware the Ides of March," cried Titus Vestricius Spuma, Soothsayer of Rome to the Emperor Julius Caesar. The Emperor ignored his warnings, and thus fell Caesar to his enemies' daggers at the floor of the Roman Senate. The date was March 15, 44 BC. Shakespeare used this tragic event making "The Ides of March," one of the most literarily notorious dates in history. The "Ides" comes from the Latin to "divide", marking the halfway point of the month, which fell on either the 13th or 15th. Before the 7-day week was established, the Romans used 3 name days as reference points to the calendar. The 'Kalends' was the first day of the month (origin of calendar.) The 'Nones' was the day of the first half moon, 5th-7th, and the 'Ides' the day of the full moon. In the 3rd century AD, a 7-day week was adopted by the Roman Senate, but informal references survived for centuries, well into Shakespeare's time. Using the conspiracy as his dramatic plot, the Bard created his famous line in Julius Caesar Act I scene 2. Countless accomplished writers, scholars, historians, including Plutarch were also motivated by this historic event. In modern times Thornton Wilder's brilliant novel The Ides of March (1948) is a captivating 'fantasia' on the last days of the Roman Republic and on one of history's most magnetic personalities. Following Caesar's demise, Romans avoided marriages or other important ventures on a date so doomed. "It eventually entered the lexicon as a metaphor of impending catastrophe." Superstitions are an ancient part of our human heritage, and many have survived over the last 2000 years despite their irrationality. Our vast technological advances have proved helpless against the deeply embedded beliefs of yesteryear. If you have not noticed yet, this month combines another ominous sign Friday the 13th. Together with The Ides of March, they reserve the lion's share of superstitions, and judging from the way the economic health is waning, we may indeed have plenty to fear. The persistence of superstitious beliefs is explained by Stuart Vyse, Professor of Psychology at Connecticut College: "Although the products of science are all around us, people do not think scientifically." In our everyday lives we do not seek evidence and reason as much as our own intuition. Different cultures have different beliefs, fears and superstitions. Researchers estimate that United States businesses "lose between $800 and $900 million every Friday the 13th." Bad luck on that day is one of the most prevalent superstitions in the Western World. In the Orient, the Chinese and Japanese dread the 4th day of the month, and consider the 8th day the luckiest. So be prudent, even if such beliefs seem nonsensical. Threats of the economic "boogy man" are surrounding us. To farmers, March is also a dreaded month, unpredictable and capricious. It can be windy, blustery, rainy or mild. It usually comes in like a lion, still bearing the cloak of cruel winter, but it will go out like a lamb, warm and sunny, happy and hopeful. The first three days of March are called "blind days," meaning "unlucky." Bad spirits are believed to affect the weather adversely. If rain falls on these days, farmers supposedly will have poor harvests. Some farmers will not plant a seed until March 4th. March has not always been associated with bad luck. Once upon a time it was the first month of the early Roman calendar, heralding the birth of Spring with the vernal equinox, the start of the new year which now occurs on March 21. On this day the centre of the sun is directly over the equator, which marks the first day of spring. Now, is this not a credible, logical time to start a new year? Spring is the season of rebirth, when hibernating animals wake up to Nature's warm caress, to enjoy the green plants come back to greet them. Why should not this be the beginning of the year as nature dictates! The Romans considered it such. They called this month "Martius," after the god Mars, son of Jupiter and Juno, king and queen of the gods. Initially Mars was the god of agriculture and fertility. However, with the growth of the Roman Empire, and its absorption of the Greek pantheon, which associated Mars with Ares, the focus of Mars' godly powers shifted and he became associated with war. The Romans continued to observe the New Year in March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by the various emperors. In 153 BC the Roman Senate declared January 1as the beginning of the new year. Tampering continued with Julius Caesar in 46BC, who established the Julian calendar. In 1580 Pope Gregory XIII established the calendar we use today, based on the year Jesus Christ was born-hence B.C. indicates before 'Christ' and A.D. 'anno Domini' (the year of our Lord). Some prefer B.C.E. a non-Christian nomination for Before 'Christian Era,' and C.E. for Christian Era. Now, March is immovable as the third month, a mixture of dreaded doom and gloom, and a celebration of dawn, new life, youth, love, birth, and rejuvenation. The equinox, meaning "equal night," brings celebrations everywhere of flowers and eggs, representing fertility and growth. Nature finally sheds her somber winter attire and decks herself with all the beauty and charm of joyful colours. In Egypt we have combined the date with the celebration of Mother's Day, a most befitting occasion to rejoice, not only in Mother Nature, but in all of motherhood. Until Spring has sprung, we should perhaps heed the lesson which Julius Caesar did not. Caesar was warned by the Soothsayer, by his wife's dream, and by numerous menacing forecasts. According to historian Nicolaus of Damascus, the signs were reputedly ominous. But a swaggering over-confident Caesar, entered the Senate, and met his death. Even the mighty, fall! It would be worthwhile therefore, to heed warnings and not be blinded by pride and power. We are governed by our reason, our seasons, and sometimes, perhaps often, by those lingering superstitions. `So watch your step - to be wary is to be wise! Caesar : The ides of March are come. Soothsayer : Ay Caesar; but not gone." -- Julius Caesar Act III, scene 1; William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
