‘March’ is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by the European winter.
The Ides of March has long been considered an ill-fated day. Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15th, 44 BC Historians note that it is likely that a soothsayer named Spurinna had warned Caesar that danger would occur by the Ides of March.
William Shakespeare included the phrase “Beware the ides of March” in his play Julius Caesar.