The phrase is sometimes said to have originated with Roman Marcus Junius Brutus during the assassination of Julius Caesar on 15 March 44 BC,[REF][REF] but according to Plutarch, Brutus either did not have a chance to say anything, or if he did, no one heard what was said: .
The phrase has been invoked historically in Europe and other parts of the world as an epithet or rallying cry against abuse of power.