Final answer:
Cassius's idea that he can change his fate likely stems from Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasizes self-control, virtue, and acceptance of fate. Enlightenment ideas about power deriving from the people also echo this sense of individual agency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that Cassius believes he can change his fate and improve his life on his own aligns with the philosophical teachings of Stoicism, which emerged during the Hellenistic period and continued to influence the Roman Republic. Stoicism emphasizes personal virtue and the belief that individuals can achieve happiness by accepting their fate and living in accordance with nature and reason.
This philosophy celebrated qualities like self-sacrifice and political service, and these ideals resonated with many Roman aristocrats, aligning with the wider concept of Romanitas.
Moreover, during the Enlightenment period, thinkers like Rousseau challenged the divine right of kings and posited that power comes from the consent of the governed—a revolutionary idea implying that individuals can shape their destinies and societies.
Stoicism and Enlightenment thinking both offer a frame for understanding the individual's power to influence their life and conditions, which likely inspired Cassius's belief in his ability to change his fate.