I was standing at the edge of the Rubicon. All of us were. The horses were moving restlessly, stamping their hooves and snorting, their breath forming clouds in the air. Even they seemed to know something important was about to happen. An icy January wind rippled the waters of the small stream and I shivered.

All of the soldiers were standing there, looking at Caesar expectantly. Not a sound did we make. We had been his loyal followers for the better part of ten years and we would follow him still, to peace or war, to life or death. Caesar’s face was thoughtful as he stood there, contemplating the decision before him. He had to make a choice, a choice that would change our fates and the fate of Rome forever.

The Gallic wars had been long and hard. I hadn’t seen my family in years and life in Italy seemed like a distant dream. Commanders were strict and rations meager. Day after day we marched into battle, day after day we conquered more land for Rome. We were tired, hungry, and sick of bloodshed.

Through long, tiring years of war a loyalty had formed between the soldiers. We ate, slept, lived, and died together. When the Gaels attacked we defended each other, when times were rough we all suffered. Soon the adventurous life became norm, we never knew what the next day would bring.

Caesar was our general. He was always there, managing, giving orders, preparing for battle. Over in Gaul we knew nothing of the glory our general was receiving, of the fame he had back in Italy, we knew him only as he was, a man. Time after time as we prepared for battle Caesar would pace back and forth, forming plans and creating strategies in his mind. It was any man’s guess what he would think of next.

When he ordered us into our positions and brought us to the edge of the Rubicon we were stunned. Some of my fellow soldiers whispered that surely this would be the downfall of Caesar. The Rubicon was the only thing separating us from Italy. For a general to lead his army into Italy was an act of treason, and he and all his followers would be declared outlaws and enemies of Rome. Caesar already had enemies among the senate who would be happy to see him destroyed. On the other hand, if Caesar disbanded his army and stayed in Gaul all of his power and hard earned victories would be lost.

So there we were, waiting. The soldier next to me coughed into his hand, but other than that not a sound was made. Caesar’s face was turned so I could not see his expression, but we could all feel the weight of the decision he had to make. Then he straightened and took a decisive step forward. He raised his voice so all could hear, “the die is cast!”

We followed Caesar across the river, we followed him as we had so many times before. With each step I could feel a tremor in the ground, as if the very earth was afraid at what we had done.

I thought ahead about what was to come. Crossing the Rubicon was an open declaration of war and many battles would follow. A civil war could start, dividing my country forever. Caesar could become the sole ruler of Rome and expand his empire far beyond Gaul, or he could be defeated and executed, and all of us with him. Yet we marched. Whether to victory of defeat we would follow him, right into the mouth of glory or destruction.