Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger

8.9

A Roman politician who helped plan and take part in killing Julius Caesar

proper noun

: Marco Junio Bruto el Joven

Shakespeare’s play 'Julius Caesar' dramatizes the role of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger in Roman history.

Examples

Many historians debate the motives of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger in the assassination of Caesar.
The legacy of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger remains controversial among scholars of classical antiquity.
What did Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger hope to achieve?
Many historians consider Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger a key figure in Roman history.
Many historians debate the motives of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger in the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Shakespeare’s play 'Julius Caesar' dramatizes the actions of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger during the conspiracy against Caesar.
The legacy of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger is often discussed in relation to his role in the downfall of Julius Caesar.

Synonyms

Brutus

vsMarcus Junius Brutus the Younger

29 7.9

A Roman politician who led the plot to kill Julius Caesar

uses the longer formal name rather than the short familiar form

Marcus Junius Brutus

vsMarcus Junius Brutus the Younger

1 9.9

A Roman leader who helped kill Julius Caesar

uses the same full name but gives exact birth and death years

Surface Forms

Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger main

Morphology

Marcus + Junius + Brutus + the + younger

This is a full proper name referring to a specific historical individual; the referent (a Roman statesman who helped assassinate Julius Caesar) cannot be inferred from the literal constituents. Although 'younger' signals a distinguishing label, that alone does not convey the biographical or idiomatic meaning, so a B1 learner who only knows the words would not derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger was a Roman leader who helped plan the killing of Julius Caesar. He was seen as a friend who turned against Caesar, so his name is now used to mean 'a traitor' or someone who 'betrays' a friend.