Beware the Ides of March

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In the Roman calendar, the term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other 8 months.

In modern times, the term Ides of March (Latin Idus Martiae) is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated, in 44 BC, the story of which was famously retold in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. The term has come to be used as a metaphor for impending doom.

A popular phrase, "Beware the Ides of March", originates from Shakespeare and refers to impending doom. In Julius Caesar (Act 1, scene 2, 15–19), a soothsayer relates to Caesar "Beware the ides of March", warning Caesar of his impending death.