Alyssa Ogi

Assignment #3: Plot Outline

As the son of one of the wealthiest senators in Rome, Aelius has grown up in the lap of luxury. Like most adolescents of his age and status, he has been taught by the most brilliant educators of the time and trained to defend himself by acclaimed soldiers. Yet while he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and ascend to elite governmental positions, Aelius is more concerned about his own pleasures: opulent dinner parties, trips to the southern islands, and the beautiful daughters of his father’s friends. When his best friend, the gossiping Flavius, starts to spread rumors about unrest in the Senate and a lack of confidence in the great Caesar, Aelius ignores him. He and his father share a close relationship, and if there were any real problems, his father would have told him. He continues to deny the circumstances until his father is accused with assassination and conspiracy charges, and is arrested. Scared of Caesar’s wrath, the exclusive circle in which Aelius’ family socializes casts them out of favor. Instead of being one of the most respected names in Rome, the family becomes at the top of the blacklist.

Forced to face facts and determined to prove his father’s innocence, Aelius digs deeper into the corruption of the Roman Senate in 44 BCE, and uncovers the terrible chain of treachery, blackmail, and murder that preceded his father’s arrest. As the truth reveals itself, he must reconsider his faith in the government and in his father himself. More and more turmoil shakes through the city, and Aelius can feel time running out to absolve his father’s allegations. Everything reaches a climax on the Ides of March. Though he can’t say why, Aelius knows that it will be an unforgettable day.