Brutus, Marcus Junius. Born in 85 B.C., the nephew of Cato of Utica. Sided with Pompey against Caesar, and after the battle of Pharsalia retired to literary pursuits. Caesar made him governor of Cisalpine Gaul, but he joined the conspirators who murdered the consul. After the assassination, he collected troops in Macedonia, and assuming the title of imperator, ravaged Rhodes and Lydia. In 42 B.C., he and Cassius were defeated by Octavius Caesar and Mark Antony, and Brutus committed suicide.