# Rubicon

> river in northeastern Italy

**Wikidata**: [Q172572](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q172572)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rubicon

## Summary

The Rubicon is a river in northeastern Italy, flowing through the Emilia-Romagna region. It holds immense historical significance due to Julius Caesar's famous crossing in 49 BC, which triggered the Roman Civil War and led to the fall of the Roman Republic. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has become synonymous with passing a point of no return in English idiom.

## Key Facts

- **Location:** Northeastern Italy, Emilia-Romagna region
- **Coordinates:** 44.168045° N, 12.44327° E
- **Associated Commune:** Savignano sul Rubicone (Italian comune)
- **Country:** Italy
- **Classification:** River (larger natural watercourse)
- **Aliases:** Rubicon River, River Rubicon
- **Wikipedia Title:** Rubicon
- **Sitelink Count:** 70
- **Related Asteroid:** 11302 Rubicon
- **Related Television Series:** Rubicon (American TV series)

## FAQs

**Where is the Rubicon river located?**

The Rubicon is located in northeastern Italy, specifically in the Emilia-Romagna region. It flows near the Italian commune of Savignano sul Rubicone.

**What is the historical significance of the Rubicon?**

The Rubicon gained historical fame when Julius Caesar crossed it in 49 BC with his legion, violating Roman law by bringing his army into Italy proper. This act triggered the Roman Civil War and is said to have marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" now means taking an irreversible step.

**What does "crossing the Rubicon" mean?**

"Crossing the Rubicon" is an idiomatic expression meaning to pass a point of no return or to take an action whose consequences cannot be undone. It derives from Julius Caesar's military crossing of the river, which was a direct challenge to the Roman Senate.

**Are there other entities named after the Rubicon?**

Yes, the Rubicon name has been used for other entities, including the asteroid 11302 Rubicon and an American television series called "Rubicon."

## Why It Matters

The Rubicon matters primarily for its profound historical impact on Western civilization. Julius Caesar's decision to cross this river in 49 BC fundamentally altered the course of Roman history, leading to the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire under Augustus. This single event reshaped political structures across the ancient world and set precedents that influenced governance systems for millennia.

Beyond history, the Rubicon has entered common language as a metaphor for irreversible decisions. The phrase appears in political discourse, business contexts, and everyday speech to describe situations where retreat is impossible. This linguistic legacy ensures the river's name remains relevant in modern conversations about decision-making and consequences.

Geographically, the river continues to serve the Emilia-Romagna region, contributing to the local ecosystem and supporting the communities along its banks, including Savignano sul Rubicone. Its association with Savignano sul Rubicone also makes it a point of local pride and historical interest in contemporary Italy.

## Notable For

- **Historical Trigger:** The crossing by Julius Caesar that started the Roman Civil War
- **Idiomatic Legacy:** Source of the common English phrase "crossing the Rubicon"
- **Geographic Distinction:** One of the few rivers whose name has entered global vocabulary
- **Cultural References:** Inspired multiple works including an American television series and an asteroid
- **Regional Importance:** Key waterway in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy

## Body

### Geography and Location

The Rubicon is situated in northeastern Italy, specifically within the Emilia-Romagna region. The river's precise geographic coordinates are 44.168045° latitude and 12.44327° longitude. It flows through an area of historical and contemporary significance, serving as a natural feature of the Italian landscape.

The river passes near or through the Italian commune of Savignano sul Rubicone, which bears the river's name. This commune is part of the province of Forlì-Cesena in the Emilia-Romagna region, located in northern Italy. The relationship between the river and the commune is direct, with the commune named after its location on the river's banks.

### Historical Significance

The Rubicon's primary historical fame stems from the events of 49 BC, when Julius Caesar led his legion across the river into Italy. At that time, the river marked the boundary between the Roman province of Cisalpine Gaul and Italy proper. Roman law prohibited any general from bringing an army across this boundary into Italy without authorization from the Senate.

Caesar's crossing represented a direct challenge to the Roman Senate's authority and is considered an act of war against the Roman Republic. This event triggered the Great Roman Civil War, which ultimately resulted in the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus. The historical importance of this moment cannot be overstated, as it fundamentally altered the political trajectory of the ancient world.

### Linguistic and Cultural Legacy

The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has become embedded in the English language and many others as a metaphor for taking an irreversible action. The expression is used in various contexts, including politics, business, and personal decision-making, to describe situations where one commits to a course of action from which retreat is impossible.

The river's legacy extends into modern culture through various references. An American television series titled "Rubicon" was produced, exploring themes of conspiracy and irreversible decisions. Additionally, the asteroid 11302 Rubicon was named in honor of the river, demonstrating its continued recognition in scientific and popular contexts.

### Related Entities

The Rubicon exists within a network of related entities as documented in the source material. It is classified as a river, which is defined as a larger natural watercourse. The river is located within Italy (Wikidata item Q38), which is a sovereign state and parliamentary republic in Southern Europe.

The asteroid 11302 Rubicon (sitelink count: 17) represents the astronomical recognition of the river's historical importance. The American television series "Rubicon" (sitelink count: 9) demonstrates the river's cultural influence in modern media. The Italian commune of Savignano sul Rubicone (sitelink count: 52) maintains a direct geographic relationship with the river, bearing its name and situated along its course.

### Regional Context

Within Italy, the Rubicon contributes to the geographical diversity of the Emilia-Romagna region. Italy itself is characterized by its distinctive boot-shaped peninsula, extensive coastline, and mountain ranges including the Alps and Apennines. The country is divided into 20 administrative regions, with Emilia-Romagna being one of them.

The Rubicon's presence in this region adds to the area's historical and cultural richness. Emilia-Romagna is known for its agricultural productivity, culinary traditions (including Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar), and historical cities such as Bologna, Modena, and Ravenna. The river, while perhaps less famous than other Italian waterways, participates in the broader ecological and historical fabric of the region.

### Documentation and References

The Rubicon entity has been documented across multiple platforms, with a sitelink count of 70 indicating significant presence in online encyclopedias and knowledge bases. The Wikipedia article titled "Rubicon" provides detailed information about the river's geography, history, and cultural significance. The Wikidata entry (likely item Q for Rubicon) contains structured data including coordinates, aliases, and relationships to other entities.

The river's documentation connects it to broader categories of knowledge, including the classification of rivers as natural watercourses and its relationship to the country of Italy. This structured approach to documenting the Rubicon ensures that its historical and geographical information remains accessible and verifiable.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. GeoNames
5. [Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/crossing-the-rubicon)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
7. KBpedia