At Spartan Armor Systems, we know our customers think about the Roman Empire frequently. So, we couldn't let one of the most important dates of the year slide on by. With the Ides of March approaching, one haunting question has been on our minds:How would history have changed had Julius Caesar been prepared for the coming attack that day?

Of course, we can't know for sure. But history is rife with lessons, and we’d be remiss not to reflect on them this March 15.

What Happened on the Ides of March?

On March 15, 44 BC, Julius Caesar met his end at the hands of his enemies on the floor of the Roman Senate. Though Rome had not officially declared him emperor, the Senate had deemed him dictator for life at this point. Led by Marcus Junius Brutus, opponents launched a surprise attack on Julius, leaving him dead on the Senate floor. What followed was a descent into another civil war for Rome.

Lessons from the Ides of March

With Rome heading into another period of civil strife and unrest, it’s easy to draw parallels to the state of the world today. We see conflicts raging, increasing division, and violent turmoil in our streets. What lessons can we learn from Julius Caesar’s unfortunate end and apply them to our modern situation?

Read on for three timely warnings from that fateful event over 2,000 years ago.

Be Careful Who You Trust

We recognize the phrase, “Et tu, brute?” as Julius’ famous last words, at least insofar as William Shakespeare portrayed them in his play, Julius Caesar. It's an expression symbolizing betrayal. We, too, must be on guard about the motives of others, sometimes even within our own circles.

That's just sound advice for personal security across the board. We tell our children not to give out personally identifiable information (PII), and then we get lax ourselves. How many times have you given PII while checking out with a cashier, not giving a thought to the person listening behind you in line? Do you immediately open the front door to your house to greet a stranger? How about allowing an unfamiliar person to encroach on your personal space in public?

Keep Your Head on a Swivel

One of the fascinating parts of history is wondering what a person was thinking at a particularly crucial moment. Julius didn't have an iPhone distracting him from what may have been an obvious threat. We don’t think his mind was necessarily on Cleopatra either. But he was human like the rest of us. And there may have been as many as 70 Senators involved in this deadly plot.

These days, it's not out of the question to find yourself amid a mob of 70 angry people. It’s vital to know your surroundings and sense when something isn't right. Avoid these situations if possible. If not, you at least want to be hard to catch off-guard.

Invest in Concealable Stab-Resistant Body Armor

Armis Level IIIA Multi Curvature Body Armor Plates

The Spartan Armor Systems Armis Level IIIA Composite Body Armor perfectly blends body-conforming comfort and full 10" x 12" edge-to-edge coverage. The ultra-thin 3/8” design means staying protected all day without drawing attention. And check out these other features:

• IIIA rated
  • Stops common handgun rounds up to .44 Mag
• Lightweight
  • Weighs only 1.5 pounds per plate
• Stab-resistant
  • Not only protects against handgun rounds, but also knife attacks

DL Concealment Plate Carrier

Our DL Plate Carrier is the perfect pairing for the Armis Level IIIA plates. And you can now pick them up as a duo with our DL Concealment Plate Carrier Package.

• Made of 500 Denier/Nylon blended material
  • Bendable, durable, and highly comfortable
• Fully-adjustable 4” cummerbund
  • Helps with comfort and stability
• Rated for multiple plate sizes
  • The DL Carrier can accommodate 10" x 12" or 11" x 14" body armor plates.

Conclusion

In the wake of the Ides of March, you can imagine civilians in ancient Rome felt a heightened need to protect themselves. In the same way, body armor addresses that need during periods of societal uncertainty or instability in our times.

It's tough to say whether stab-resistant body armor would have helped Julius Caesar in his specific circumstances. He was reportedly surrounded by a group of conspirators who stabbed him over 20 times. Our perspective is to stay alert, avoid unsafe situations when possible, and gear up with the best personal protective equipment for your situation.

In other words, be "never unprepared." Or, if you prefer, Nunquam non paratus.