Rubikon is a word that can refer to different things, depending on the context. Here are some of the possible meanings of Rubikon:

• A river in northeastern Italy, known for being crossed by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, which marked the start of a civil war and a point of no return for his political career. The river was named Rubikon because of its red color, caused by iron deposits in the riverbed. The phrase “crossing the Rubicon” means to take an irrevocable step or decision.
• A German online magazine for critical journalism, founded in 2016, that covers topics such as politics, culture, media, science, health and environment. The magazine aims to challenge the mainstream narratives and offer alternative perspectives on current issues. The magazine’s name is inspired by the historical event of Caesar crossing the Rubicon river.
• A 2022 science fiction film directed by Magdalena Lauritsch, starring Julia Franz Richter, George Blagden and Mark Ivanir. The film is set in 2056, when a catastrophe on Earth covers the planet in a toxic fog. The crew of a space station must decide whether to risk their lives to return home and search for survivors, or stay safe in the station’s “algae symbiosis system”. The film’s title refers to the dilemma faced by the characters and their choice between hope and despair.
• A Slovak word for Rubicon, the river in Italy.

As you can see, Rubikon is a name that has different meanings and associations, depending on the language and the context. It is a word that evokes history, politics, culture and science fiction.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the meanings of Rubikon and explore their origins and implications.

The Rubicon river is a small stream that flows from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea, near the city of Rimini in northeastern Italy. The river is about 80 km long and has a variable width and depth. The river was originally called Fiumicino until 1933, when it was officially identified with the ancient river Rubicon that was mentioned by classical writers such as Caesar, Cicero and Suetonius. The identification was based on historical and archaeological evidence, as well as on the similarity of the names. However, some scholars have disputed this identification and suggested other possible locations for the ancient Rubicon.

The river became famous in history and literature because of the event that took place in 49 BC, when Julius Caesar, the governor of Cisalpine Gaul (a Roman province north of the river), led his army across the Rubicon into Italy proper, which was under the control of the Roman Senate and its allies. This act was considered an act of war and treason, as it violated the law that forbade any general to enter Italy with an armed force without the permission of the Senate. Caesar reportedly said “alea iacta est” (“the die is cast”) as he crossed the river, indicating that he had made a decisive and irreversible choice. His crossing of the Rubicon triggered a civil war between Caesar and his supporters (the populares) and the Senate and its supporters (the optimates), which lasted until 45 BC and resulted in Caesar’s victory and dictatorship. The phrase “crossing the Rubicon” has since become a metaphor for taking a bold or risky step that has significant consequences.

Rubikon is a German online magazine that was founded in 2016 by Jens Wernicke, a journalist and author who had previously worked for other media outlets such as Telepolis, NachDenkSeiten and KenFM. The magazine describes itself as “a magazine for the critical mass” and claims to offer “independent journalism beyond mainstream and alternative media” . The magazine covers a wide range of topics such as politics, culture, media, science, health and environment, with a focus on challenging the dominant narratives and exposing the hidden agendas and interests behind them. The magazine also features interviews, videos, podcasts, cartoons and book reviews.

The magazine’s name is inspired by the historical event of Caesar crossing the Rubicon river, which is seen as a symbol of courage and resistance against tyranny. The magazine’s logo depicts a stylized bridge over a red river, representing the crossing of boundaries and the connection of different perspectives. The magazine’s motto is “dare to know”, which is a translation of the Latin phrase “sapere aude”, attributed to the philosopher Immanuel Kant and considered to be the motto of the Enlightenment. The magazine aims to encourage its readers to think critically and independently, to question authority and to seek truth and justice.

Rubikon is a 2022 science fiction film directed by Magdalena Lauritsch, a Austrian filmmaker who had previously directed short films such as “The Last Day” (2015) and “The Last Supper” (2017). The film stars Julia Franz Richter as Hannah Wagner, a company soldier who works for an international corporation that controls most of the resources on Earth; George Blagden as Gavin Abbott, a scientist who is part of an algae project that aims to provide humanity with oxygen and food; Mark Ivanir as Dimitri Krylow, another scientist who is Gavin’s colleague; Nicholas Monu as Philipp Jenson, an engineer who works on the space station; Daniela Kong as Tracy Sato, a hacker who helps Hannah; Konstantin Frolov as Danilo Krylow, Dimitri’s son; Hannah Rang Knopf as Ljubisa Grujcic, a pilot who flies Hannah to Earth; Jonas Gerzabek as Little Knopf, Hannah’s son; Stephanie Cannon as Esther, Hannah’s mother; Bevin Kina Knappitsch as Child on Earth.

The film is set