Part 20: Crossing the Rubicon
If you say Charles has crossed the Rubicon, you are probably implying he:
(1) Has made a decision or taken a step that he cannot undo,
(2) Has reached a point where turning back or reversing is not possible, or
(3) Has to continue with what he is doing because it is too late to stop.
Here are some examples:
(1) "Once he submitted the resignation letter, he had crossed the Rubicon."
(2) "Tonight, we cross the Rubicon; there will be no turning back after that."
(3) "You cannot achieve your dream if you are afraid of crossing the Rubicon."
The Origin
The term "crossing the Rubicon" comes from Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon River on 10 January 49 BC, which ignited the Roman Civil War.
The Rubicon is a shallow stream in Northern Italy. At that time, it marked the boundary between Roman Gaul and Italy.
Caesar had been governor of Gaul for eight years, and his position afforded him both power and immunity. However, the Senate, Rome's ruling body, despised Caesar and intended to limit his authority since he was popular with the people and opposed the status quo.
After his term expired, the Senate ordered him to return to Rome, and Caesar realized that the Senate wanted to keep him out of politics and limit his ascent to power.
There was a law preventing any army from crossing the Rubicon River and entering Italy without the approval of the Senate. Any general who crossed the Rubicon without authorization was presumed to have declared war on the Senate.
Caesar was ready to face the Senate, so he travelled alone to the Rubicon River at night on 9 January 49 BC and directed the nearest battalion, the 13th Legion, to meet him there at daylight.
When it arrived, Caesar declared in Greek, "Alea Iacta Est," which means "The die is cast," and promptly crossed the Rubicon.
The Roman civil war broke out at that point, altering the course of history so dramatically that the expression "we have crossed the Rubicon" is still used today to refer to a point of no return.
