What, in opposition to all the omens that declared against him, made Julius Caesar cross the Rubicon? And to come to more modern examples, what scuttled the ships, and left stranded and cut off the gallant Spaniards under the command of the most courteous Cortes in the New World?

To cross the Rubicon means to make a decision or take a step that commits one to a specific course of action from which there is no turning back.

If we could just cross the Rubicon and be able to extend hands of infrastructural relationship across Africa; build joint pipeline, plants and refineries; begin to protect the African market, we would have taken a huge step, not only in the development of Africa, but to the stabilisation of independent countries.

He added: "Once you cross the rubicon of saying 'because you are terminally ill your life is less worth living' there is no going back."

DEAR Editor, Archbishop Welby's views in a joint letter to MPs expressed a truism that the Assisted Dying Bill would cross the Rubicon if passed.

What is unclear still is the time when he is likely to cross the Rubicon.

When the time comes for the animals to cross the rubicon, Tink helps Fawn (Angela Bartys) to lead the critters to the checkpoint and watches with envy as the four-legged charges magically sprout winter fur.

When the time comes for the animals to cross the Rubicon, Tink helps Fawn (Angela Bartys) to lead them to the checkpoint and watches with envy as the four-legged charges magically sprout winter fur.

When the time comes for the animals to cross the rubicon, Tink helps Fawn (Angela Bartys) to lead the critters to the checkpoint and watches with envy, aware that she and her pals are forbidden from crossing the divide into the kingdom ruled by Lord Milori (Timothy Dalton).

In justifying its hesitancy, Washington bases itself on Russia's inflexible stance at the Security Council and on its desire not to "cross the Rubicon" with Moscow.