The famous Roman leader assassinated on the Ides of March was Julius Caesar. He was a pivotal figure in Roman history, known for his military conquests and pivotal role in the demise of the Roman Republic. His rise to power and appointment as dictator led to concerns among senators regarding his increasing authority and potential to establish a monarchy. On March 15, 44 BC, a group of senators, including Brutus and Cassius, conspired to murder Caesar during a Senate meeting. His assassination sparked a civil war, ultimately leading to the rise of his grandnephew Octavian, who became the first Roman Emperor, Augustus.