Every year on March 15, history whispers a warning: Beware the Ides of March. The phrase echoes through time because it marks when and where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE — a turning point that reshaped the Roman world. But here’s what most travelers don’t realize: You can stand exactly where it happened.
And today? It’s filled with cats.
The Ides of March Is March 15
In the ancient Roman calendar, the “Ides” marked the midpoint of the month. In March, that date fell on the 15th.
Originally, it was a festive religious day honoring the goddess Anna Perenna — a celebration of renewal and the coming spring. No doom. No betrayal. That changed in 44 BCE.
Where Was Julius Caesar Assassinated?
Caesar was killed during a Senate meeting held at the Theatre of Pompey, built by his rival, Pompey the Great. The exact location of the assassination is now preserved at Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome.
Not the Roman Forum. Not the Colosseum. But a sunken archaeological complex just below the busy streets of Rome
Here, among four ancient temples and the remains of Pompey’s theatre, a group of senators — including Marcus Junius Brutus — stabbed Caesar 23 times.
The Roman Republic would never recover.
As For The Cats
In one of Rome’s most unusual twists, these ruins became home to a colony of stray cats in the 20th century. Volunteers eventually formalized rescue efforts, creating the
Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary.
Today dozens of rescued cats live safely and lazily among the ancient stones. The sanctuary provides medical care, sterilization, and adoptions. Visitors can observe the cats lounging in the very place, just a whisker away from where a Roman emperor met his grisly death.
In 2023, Rome opened Largo di Torre Argentina to walk-through visitors via elevated pathways. Beneath a stairwell under the streets, is a small subterranean room where the cat shelter is located. You can purchase a variety of cat-related souvenirs, and visit the cats waiting to be adopted.
It’s one of the most underrated stops in central Rome.
Photos By Susan Geiger
