Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome

Those interested in the the history of Greece and Rome should read this book and series. Puts some flesh on the bare bones of historical accounts.

'Imperium' (pub Sept 2006) is an incredible read - a fictionalized biography of Cicero, the Roman advocate, orator and writer who became one of the most powerful men in Roman history. It follows Cicero's career from his early days as a young advocate to the point of him becoming consul-elect. Not an easy path to tread with enemies as powerful as Julius Caesar and later, Mark Antony. Battling bribery, massive corruption and treachery, Cicero used the only weapon at is disposal - his voice - to win support for his ideals from the aristocrats, tribunes, senators and the people of Rome. His story is told through the gentle voice of his slave/secretary/confidant, Tiro. For me, Harris's historical novel brings to life this segment of Roman history Thoroughly recommended.

What a treat this book is and what an extraordinary author is Robert Harris. His scholarship is impeccable, his story-telling is mesmerizing, and his writing is a pure treat. This novel, depicting the early career of Marcus Tullius Cicero, is presented as the recollections of Tiro, Cicero's personal secretary and assistant throughout his life. There was an actual publication by Tiro on the life of Cicero which was lost forever during the tumult during the 6th century and the fall of empire. Harris writes a plausible, and thoroughly enjoyable, recreation of that lost tract. If you enjoy Roman history you will be entranced with this novel. In my opinion it is better even than his popular "Pompeii" which was a smashingly good book. The novel covers the first twenty years of Cicero's career from when Tiro was first given to Cicero in their early twenties, their travels through Greece to learn philosophy and their sojourn on the island of Rhodes to learn public speaking from Molon, the brilliant legal career of the young Cicero on his return to Rome including his infamous prosecution of Gaius Verres, the wicked governor of Sicily, and his rise to the seat of Consul during the years of strife between Crassus and Pompey. As the book itself points out, Cicero was never an able, dashing general, nor an aristocrat; he was an upstart young attorney from the country, a "new man" with no friends or fortune. So how, in the face of adversity, and the enmity of the ruling class, did he climb the cursus honorum to become Consul of Rome? Why, when he controlled no armies, conquered no territory, amassed no fortune, is the name of Cicero still remembered and revered today along with the likes of Crassus, Julius Caesar, and Pompey? This book does an admirable job of showing how Cicero used his mind, his indomitable will, and his razor sharp wit to carve himself a place in history. For those unfamiliar with Cicero, I can't imagine a more entertinaing or enjoyable introduction to this complex and fascinating figure. I have long been a fan of Colleen McCullough's Rome series, perhaps my favorite work of literature ever, but I have to admit that Imperium is so good it compares favorably with her works. If I have any true quibbles with this book it is only that it ends on the day he becomes Consul of Rome at age 42. The story of Cicero has so much more to it yet! Where is the story of his persecution of Catilina, his antagonism to Caesar even while his beloved brother Quintus served as one of his legates in Gaul, and his role in the Civil war between Pompey and Caesar? Harris tells only the first half of the story; I am hoping that there will be a sequel soon to complete this fabulous and wonderfully entertaining treatment of the brilliant Cicero.

As historical novels go, this novel is superb. I love the portrait of Cicero and his familar life, the life in Rome, the slow developing of Roman Republic's tragedy. You feel full of foreboding, even you see Cicero struggling with the procedural entrapments, the subtle intrigues of politics, the blatant lies of those high in power. It's the portrait of an intriguing man sa well of a crucial era in world's history, an era that strangely echoes our own. There are some curious flaws, though: a Roman in a court would swear to Minerva, Justice's Goddess, or to the Justitia, certainly not to "God". IMO Roman religion feels a bit neglected, yet it was an important part of a Roman's everyday life, even of a cultured and relatively skeptic man as Cicero was. Yet this novel is certainly worth reading for its skillful characterizations and its brilliant rendition of historical events.

I unconditionally recommend Robert Harris' latest novel to any fan of historical fiction. This novel is a must-read for any of the following: (1) Roman history fans; (2) lawyers, particularly litigators; (3) political wonks. (I am among the first two of those three and strongly suspect that I'm right for the third category.) Marcus Tullius Cicero was one of the most memorable figures from an era of great men who, among them, competed to tear apart or preserve the Roman republic. Cicero was a "new man" -- a provincial who rose from the middle class, doing so neither through wealth or military service but rather as a consummate trial lawyer -- and his rise to power is both an inspirational and cautionary tale. The two halves of "Imperium" tell the story of Cicero's prosecution for extortion against Verres and Cicero's campaign to become consul (the highest office a Roman could hold). While Roman history fans know the story and ending for both episodes, Harris fills in the ellipses left by the written records of the era with fine storytelling and educated speculation as to how the events played out in the eyes of a contemporary. Using Cicero's personal secretary to tell the story is a great device. Through the slave Tiro, Harris brings not only Cicero to life, but his wife Terentia, along with Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, and so many other interesting characters from the era. Harris' narrative of the prosecution of Verres is some of the most memorable courtroom drama I have ever read. Any fan of legal fiction -- regardless of whether you are interested in Roman history -- will enjoy the courtroom scenes. The story of Cicero's campaign to become consul similarly should entertain any fan of electoral politics. While Cicero was a great lawyer, he was above all a politician, and a very skilled politician, and Harris portrays this aspect of the man skillfully and unflinchingly. I assume that Harris will cover Cicero's consulship (and the Catilinarian conspiracy) and Cicero's ill-fated defense of the Republic against Marc Antony in subsequent volumes. I can't wait to read them. While I know how the story must end, Harris has hooked me with the way he is telling the tale.

Robert Harris has accomplished a truly remarkable task. He has written an historically accurate novel that moves at a page-turning pace without the benefit of an endless succession of battle scenes. The interest derives from his depiction of the incredibly fascinating political career of Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of history's greatest orators. The book is written from the viewpoint of Tiro, Cicero's amanuensis. Tiro was a real historical character who is credited with the invention of the first usable system of shorthand. In this role, he accompanied Cicero throughout his political career. This novel covers Cicero's public life from the beginning through his campaign for consul. We see the young Cicero launching his career through his prosecution of a corrupt governor of Sicily, advancing through the positions of aedile and praetor, always opposed by the aristocrats of Rome, and always with the ultimate goal of consul in his mind. How he surmounts obstacles through shrewd politics and inspired oratory makes a great read. I give this book my highest recommendation.