First published 1599
Julius Caesar stands at the height of his power when senators plot his assassination on the Ides of March. Brutus wrestles with his love for Caesar against his duty to Rome. Mark Antony mourns his fallen leader while Coriolanus, the proud warrior, cannot bend to the common people who demand his respect. Antony later abandons his Roman duties for Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen whose beauty and wit captivate him completely. Their passionate romance spans the Mediterranean as Octavius consolidates power in Rome. Coriolanus faces exile when he refuses to humble himself before the plebeians, torn between his aristocratic pride and his need for political support. Each man must choose between personal desires and public obligations. Caesar's ambition leads to betrayal, Antony's love leads to ruin, and Coriolanus's honor leads to isolation. These Romans discover that political power demands sacrifices that may destroy the very things they value most.
Genres: drama, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, classical-studies
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: Egypt, Mediterranean, Rome
Period: Ancient
672 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Penguin Books
Content warnings: death, violence