Convex projective manifolds, symmetric spaces and geometric decompositions

Abstract

We prove that if a closed, indecomposable, properly convex real projective $4$-manifold is geometric or admits a geometric decomposition in the sense of Thurston, then every piece is real hyperbolic. This extends a theorem of Benoist to dimension four. Moreover, we build orientable (non-hyperbolic) $4$-manifolds of the above type, with arbitrary positive, even, Euler characteristic. Finally, we characterise the compact locally symmetric spaces that virtually support properly convex real projective structures in terms of their geometry.