It follows the events leading up to and including the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BC. The story is told from the perspective of a fictional character named Quintus Valerius, a Roman senator who is torn between his loyalty to Caesar and his commitment to the Republic.The novel is notable for its detailed and realistic portrayal of ancient Rome, and its sympathetic treatment of both Caesar and his assassins. Mundy avoids taking sides in the conflict, instead presenting a complex and nuanced portrait of the political and social forces that led to Caesar's death.