English Idioms from the Roman Empire Crossing the Rubicon Meaning: To make an irreversible decision or to take an action that may have dire consequences. Example: I knew that by telling the truth I would be crossing the Rubicon, but I could not live a lie any more. Etymology: The Rubicon is a shallow river in northeastern Italy. In 49 BC, Julius Caesar crossed this river with his armies in the field, a violation of Roman law (only the elected magistrates of consul & praetor could hold imperium within Italy). The violation of this law was a capital offence, punishable by death. Caesars decision for swift action forced Pompey, the lawful consuls (C. Claudius Marcellus and L. Cornelius Lentulus Crus), and a large part of the Roman Senate to flee Rome in fear. Caesars subsequent victory in Caesars civil war ensured that punishment for the infraction would never be rendered. The phrase crossing the Rubicon refers to any individual or group committing itself irrevocably to a risky or revolutionary course of action, similar to the modern phrase passing the point of no return.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 09:25:12 +0000
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