The song “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay describes a king who was once powerful and revered but soon fell from the graces of his people. After losing his throne, the king was reduced to a commoner and became only a shell of his former self. This song bears a great number of similarities to Julius Caesar, a powerful Roman leader with the potential to become king. Before he can officially become a monarch, however, his friends all turn against him and plot to murder him. Both Julius Caesar and the king in “Viva la Vida” were influential and well-loved leaders that are betrayed by those who had previously supported them. Besides speaking of the falls of these individuals, the song and play also discuss the dangers and consequences of being a king or…show more content… When Julius Caesar is offered the crown during the parade celebrating his victory over Pompey’s sons, he refuses the crown as to seem humble. In this way Caesar is manipulating the people into thinking that he is not power-hungry and has only the interest of others in mind. However, at the same time, Caesar is being constantly manipulated and lied to. Brutus, whom Caesar thought of as close friends, assists a group of conspirators in planning his assassination. Caesar is also manipulated by the other conspirators into coming to Capitol where he is to be murdered. The song is saying that, in a king’s life, there is no room for truth, as deception is how a king stays in power. However, at the same time, deception from others can cause a king to fall. The song also make several direct references to events occurring in Julius Caesar. The line, “Listen as the crowd would sing / ‘Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!” refers to Caesar’s defeat of Pompey and the dismantling of the triumvirate until Caesar was the only leader