Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you loved Julius Caesar, try Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Richard III, I, Claudius and Imperium. Each one explores political ambition, betrayal, rhetoric or the fall of a powerful leader.
Shakespeare's Roman tragedy follows the conspiracy against Julius Caesar, who is about to become Rome's sole ruler. The idealistic Brutus is persuaded by Cassius to join the plot, and Caesar is assassinated on the Ides of March. Mark Antony's famous funeral speech turns the crowd against the conspirators, leading to civil war. Readers love its speeches and its moral questions. These works share its politics and its power struggles.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Format | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antony and Cleopatra | William Shakespeare | Play | readers who want the sequel |
| Macbeth | William Shakespeare | Play | readers who like murder for power |
| Coriolanus | William Shakespeare | Play | readers who want another Roman tragedy |
| Richard III | William Shakespeare | Play | readers who like political schemers |
| I, Claudius | Robert Graves | Novel | readers who like Roman court intrigue |
| Imperium | Robert Harris | Novel | readers who want Cicero's rise |
| Dictator | Robert Harris | Novel | readers who want Caesar's era |
| Rubicon | Tom Holland | Nonfiction | readers who want the real history |
| SPQR | Mary Beard | Nonfiction | readers who want Rome's history |
| The Death of Caesar | Barry Strauss | Nonfiction | readers who want the assassination itself |
| Emperor: The Gates of Rome | Conn Iggulden | Novel | readers who like adventure |
| Animal Farm | George Orwell | Novel | readers who like power corrupting revolution |
| House of Cards | Michael Dobbs | Novel | readers who like modern political drama |
| The Prince | Niccolò Machiavelli | Nonfiction | readers who want political strategy |
| Wolf Hall | Hilary Mantel | Novel | readers who like court politics |
1. Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
Antony's love for Cleopatra clashes with his duty to Rome.
Best for: readers who want the sequel.
2. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
A general kills his king after a prophecy.
Best for: readers who like murder for power.
3. Coriolanus by William Shakespeare
A proud general turns against Rome.
Best for: readers who want another Roman tragedy.
4. Richard III by William Shakespeare
A duke murders his way to the throne.
Best for: readers who like political schemers.
5. I, Claudius by Robert Graves
A stammering emperor narrates the bloody history of his family.
Best for: readers who like Roman court intrigue.
6. Imperium by Robert Harris
Cicero's secretary narrates his climb to power.
Best for: readers who want Cicero's rise.
7. Dictator by Robert Harris
Cicero navigates the end of the Roman Republic.
Best for: readers who want Caesar's era.
8. Rubicon by Tom Holland
The fall of the Roman Republic.
Best for: readers who want the real history.
9. SPQR by Mary Beard
A history of ancient Rome.
Best for: readers who want Rome's history.
10. The Death of Caesar by Barry Strauss
The story of the Ides of March.
Best for: readers who want the assassination itself.
11. Emperor: The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden
A novel about young Julius Caesar.
Best for: readers who like adventure.
12. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Farm animals find new tyrants.
Best for: readers who like power corrupting revolution.
13. House of Cards by Michael Dobbs
A politician schemes his way to power.
Best for: readers who like modern political drama.
14. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
Advice on gaining and keeping power.
Best for: readers who want political strategy.
15. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Thomas Cromwell rises at Henry VIII's court.
Best for: readers who like court politics.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Julius Caesar: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the first three picks in the table: they are the closest match to Julius Caesar. The rest of the list moves further out, so it works well once you know which part of the original you liked most. If a pick is part of a longer series, read the first book before you commit, and check the age or content notes in the table before passing a book to a younger reader.
How to Choose
Read Antony and Cleopatra to continue the story. If you want Roman history, Rubicon, SPQR and The Death of Caesar are excellent. Fiction readers will enjoy Robert Harris's Imperium and Dictator or the classic I, Claudius. For politics of any era, House of Cards and The Prince are good companions.
Related: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: Summary and Key Takeaways · The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Julius Caesar about?
Roman senators assassinate Caesar, then fight a civil war against Mark Antony and Octavius.
Who is the tragic hero?
Many readers see Brutus, who betrays his friend for what he thinks is the good of Rome.
What is the most famous line?
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears,” from Mark Antony's speech.
What are the Ides of March?
March 15, the day Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.
Is Julius Caesar based on history?
Yes. Shakespeare drew on Plutarch's Lives.
Is Julius Caesar taught in schools?
Yes. It is one of the most commonly taught Shakespeare plays.
What does Brutus believe?
He believes Caesar's ambition threatens Roman freedom, so killing him is a patriotic duty.
What happens to Brutus and Cassius?
They lose the battle of Philippi and both take their own lives.