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Sewing machine Tension Problems sorted in a heartbeat! Crossing the Rubicon Alex has spent a lifetime in the sewing industry and is considered one of the foremost experts of pioneering machines and their inventors. He has written extensively for trade magazines, radio, television, books and publications world wide. |
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Crossing the Rubicon Over
the years I had often heard the term “Crossing the Rubicon” or “You’ve
crossed the Rubicon now”. I wondered what it meant. I had a vague idea
but one day I took the time to find out where the old saying came from.
It is a fascinating story. Today
'Rubicon' is on a thousand items from motorbikes
to drinks, so why is this ancient name so famous? The
Rubicon was a small river in northern In
Roman times it flowed into the Adriatic Sea between Ariminum (Rimini)
and Caesena (
So what
does “Crossing the Rubicon” actually mean and why has it gone down in
history? Crossing the Rubicon has come to imply going past a point of no
return but why? I’ll tell you. The
Rubicon was considered to mark the boundary
where any Roman General coming home from war had to disband his army
before continuing onward and entering
So basically, for the safety of Rome, the Republic passed a law which forbade any general from crossing the shallow river with a standing army. Anywhere north of the Rubicon armies were disbanded and travelled back in small units to their separate vicinities or garrisons.
This was to protect the Republic from any
internal military threat.
Julius Caesar, A legend is born
Now let us jump to 49BC. In January 49BC the all-conquering Julius Caesar was returning victorious from years of campaigning against the barbaric hoards of the North (that would be my family and other distant relations). On his long march back, at the head of his faithful legions, news came to him that in Rome The
Republic could not tolerate one all-powerful man. It relied on the
collaboration of the many nobles (however corrupt) not one
man. Caesar was in big trouble. His
choice was simple, to gamble on his political prowess and popularity
with the common people (that would be those plebs down the market) or
take Rome
by force. As a warring general the answer was obvious, take Rome
by force, rely on his sword and his loyal legions. So in
the winter of 49BC Caesar decide to take his army across the Rubicon and
start a civil war. By crossing the Rubicon he had passed the point of no return, committed
everything and gambled all. On January 10th, Caesar, with his faithful 13th Legion marched on Rome. Over the next five years he fought, bribed and negotiated his bloody way to the top.
Caesar
became
the first Emperor of Rome and instigated the seeds that would see
Octavian (in 27BC) replacing the Republic that had governed the ancient
empire. Julius Caesar had started the first line of emperors. Mind
you he did become the most powerful man in the world, start a new
political system, become one of the most famous men in history and have
a fling with a real stunner, Cleo, before he bit the dust. I do that
most weeks!
So the
phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has survived to refer to any person who
commits themselves irrevocably past the point of no return.
See I told you it was fascinating! Let me know what you thought: alexsussex@aol.com OUT NOW!
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Hello, Alex,
Thank you for sharing the info on crossing the Rubicon. I am a realtime captioner who works with a hard-of-hearing student for communication access in the classroom. The historical account came up in class. It sounded like the teacher said Octavian crossed the Rubicon, but needed to clarify that it was not Octavian but Julius Caesar, so I researched it. Your account of the historical event was very helpful with a touch of humor. Great job! Thank you very much for this. Best, Diana
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