Rubicon
Syllabification: (Ru·bi·con)
Pronunciation: /ˈro͞obəˌkän/
Definition of Rubicon
- a stream in northeastern Italy that marked the ancient boundary between Italy and Cisalpine Gaul. Julius Caesar led his army across it into Italy in 49 bc, breaking the law forbidding a general to lead an army out of his province, and so committing himself to war against the Senate and Pompey. The ensuing civil war resulted in victory for Caesar after three years.