Summary of The Ides of March
“The Ides of March” recounts, through fictional letters, diaries, and other documents, the events leading up to the assassination of Julius Caesar on 15 March 44 BC. The novel offers a vivid portrayal of the final years of the Roman Republic, depicting the love affairs, jealousies, intrigues, gossip, and philosophical reflections surrounding Caesar and his circle. The book features many historical figures, including Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Cicero, Cato, Brutus, and Catullus.
Reasons to read The Ides of March
“The Ides of March” is a literary and fictionalised account that incorporates anachronisms and fictional characters in order to develop its narrative, yet the overall atmosphere and portrayal of Roman society are historically convincing. The novel has been praised in particular for its complex and nuanced characterisation of Julius Caesar. Thornton Wilder was a celebrated American novelist and playwright. He won the Pulitzer Prize three times: for the novel “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” and for the plays “Our Town” and “The Skin of Our Teeth”. He also received the U.S. National Book Award for his novel “The Eighth Day”.
Original title: The Ides of March
Year of publication: 1948
Nr of pages: 304
