On the way to the forum Julius Caesar encounters a group of about sixty senators who have called him for a meeting. This is a stroke of luck for the senators intent on assassinating the dictator. They urge Caesar into a side room in the theatre of Pompey ostensibly for privacy. The senators urge a petition upon Caesar who is puzzled but begins to read the document. It is a ruse. Servilius Casca, one of the senators, draws his dagger to deliver a stroke. At that moment there is a commotion at the entrance. Marcus Antonius has been warned by an informer minutes before and storms in with a squad of vigiles (police) shouting "Casca, noli!" The dagger falls from a nerveless hand and the vigiles quickly surround the senators. Out of breath, Marcus explains to Caesar the failed assassination. Cae