Brutus cultural definition

A character in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare; one of the assassins of Julius Caesar. (See “Brutus is an honorable man,” “Et tu, Brute?” and “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”)

An ancient Roman politician who helped assassinate his friend Julius Caesar.

• Brutus is a leading character in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare.
• Caesar is said to have addressed Brutus with the words Et tu, Brute? (“Even you, Brutus?”) as Brutus stabbed him. This sentence has become a proverbial response to betrayal.