Three betrayals wey change di course of history

History dey full of traitors and loyalists - as well as pipo wey dey somwia in between.

But sometimes di decisions of individuals to betray a pesin or an idea fit get a significant impact on history and even completely change di course.

BBC Bitesize don cite examples of such betrayals: one help to overthrow one medieval king, anoda one kill a popular Roman leader and a third one nearly contribute to di defeat di United States for di war against di British.

Julius Caesar: Beware of di Ides of March!

Julius Caesar fatal betrayal on March 15, 44BC change di course of Roman history. Tanks to William Shakespeare, di day go forever dey associated wit di phrase “Beware of di Ides of March,” a warning to dey careful wit pipo wey dey around you (di Ides of March refer to di 74th day of di Roman calendar, March 15).

Julius Caesar na military general and statesman wey rise reach di highest position for di Roman Republic. Im power bin dey so great dat for di early 44BC im declare imsef dictator for life.

Dis mean say im fit rule di kontri alone. Im political enemies fear say im dey become too powerful and so dem begin plot against am.

Di three leaders na Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and Decimus Junius Brutus - all of dem na senators.

Decimus Brutus bin dey close to Caesar and e bin dey considered as one of im possible successors. Meanwhile, Marcus Brutus bin dey oppose Caesar - e fight against am for di Battle of Pharsalus for 48BC. However, Caesar later pardon am and promote am.

Togeda wit about 60 oda conspirators, dem surround Caesar for di Senate of Rome and kill am.

We no know wetin Caesar last words actually be, but Shakespeare choose to emphasize di depth of di betrayal for im historical play. Inside am, Julius Caesar ask Marcus Brutus "Et tu, Brutus?", wey mean, “and you, Brutus?” - wey emphasise say e no expect to dey betrayed by pesin wey e don forgive bifor and consider to be im friend.

Unfortunately for di conspirators, dem fail to consider how popular Caesar bin dey wit di general public. Wen dem announce im death from di Capitoline Hill for Rome, di crowd reaction bin initially dey muted but dem burst into anger and violence. Marcus Brutus, Decimus Brutus and Cassius bin dey forced to run comot from di city.

Di death of Julius Caesar mark di beginning of di end of di Roman Republic, as im designated successor, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus eventually become di first emperor of Rome.

Isabella of France: Di Rebellious Queen

While di first queens by birth right appear for Britain only for di 16th century, female monarchs bin don make dia mark in history long bifor dat. One of such na Isabella of France, sometimes called di “She-Wolf of France,” wey play ogbonge role for di downfall of King Edward II of England for 1327.

Na di daughter of di French king Philip IV di fair, and dem born her for di early 1290s - she marry Edward on 25 January 1308.

Edward dey known to get favourites among im nobles, first Piers Gaveston (wey bin dey captured and executed for June 1312 by nobles wey e offend), and den Hugh Despenser di Younger.

Wen Edward declare war on Isabella brother Charles IV of France for 1324, Despenser accuse her say she be foreign spy, seize her lands and restrict her access to her husband.

However, Edward bin still dey willing to send her to France to successfully negotiate peace wit her brother.

Edward imsef bin also need to visit France to pay tribute to Charles IV for im French lands but e bin dey reluctant to leave England becos of di threat of rebellion against imsef and Despenser.

Instead, e bin make di mistake to send im young son and heir, di future Edward III away. Isabella find hersef under di protection of her brother along wit her son.

From dis position of strength, she offer di king ultimatum: Isabella and young Edward go only return if Despenser dey removed from court and her status and lands dey restored. However, Edward bin no dey willing to give up Despenser.

Isabella ally hersef wit Roger Mortimer, wey be exiled English nobleman wey escape from di Tower of London afta e dey imprisoned for im part in a rebellion against di king and di Despenser. Togeda dem plot to invade England and overthrow di duo.

Wit moni, sojas and supplies provided by di Count of Hainut (modern Belgium), dem land for England on 24 September 1326. King Edward support quickly reduce and Isabella bin dey joined by im half-brothers and cousin.

Hugh Despenser bin Dey captured and executed and Edward bin dey forced to abdicate in favour of im 14-year-old son. Later dat year, e dey mysteriously murdered for Berkeley Castle.

Coincidentally, Edward III reign start on di 19th wedding anniversary of im warring parents for January 25, 1327.

Benedict Arnold: America notorious traitor

For di United States, Benedict Arnold name dey synonymous wit betrayal. E be one of George Washington most talented field marshals, wey help di Continental Army win dia first victory of di American Revolutionary War for Fort Ticonderoga for May 1775.

E achieve more success for di Battle of Saratoga for 1777, wey be turning point for di war and make di French to join bodi wit di revolutionaries. But all dat change few years later wen Arnold betray di Americans and begin spy for di British.

Arnold feel say im achievements bin no dey well rewarded and say odas bin dey recognized for im tactics and so e no dey receive di promotion e deserve.

Im wife excessive spending bin lead to im mounting debts and Washington bin don accuse am of misconduct. Insulted, bitter and penniless, Arnold make deal wit di British.

Wen Washington offer am di command of di army for 1780, Arnold instead insist say e go control di defences for West Point, New York, along di Hudson River. Dat na strategic location for communication and transportation to New England.

E bin plan to weaken di defences and cede di territory to di British in exchange for 20,000 pounds sterling, wit di possible added bonus of luring Washington to di enemy.

Arnold betrayal kon dey discovered wen one British Intelligence officer e bin dey in contact with dey captured and dem find incriminating documents wit am. E bin manage escape to di British warship HMS Vulture, wia dem promote am to brigadier general and begin fight against im former comrades.

Arnold bin survive di war, move to England and die dia for 1801.