Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Hutchinson (2007), Paperback, 416 pages
Description
A tale inspired by the writings of Tiro, Cicero's confidential secretary, traces the life of the ancient Roman orator from his beginnings as a young lawyer through his competitions with Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus in the political arena.
Media reviews
In his new novel, “Imperium,” the British author Robert Harris fictionalizes Cicero’s less-known early career as a young lawyer on the make. He paints an engrossing picture of the caldron of Roman politics and presents a Cicero for our own times, a man who is the lineal ancestor of the modern
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career politician. Show Less
The result is an experiment as bold as it is unexpected: a novel that draws so scrupulously on the Roman source material that it forgoes much of what are traditionally regarded as the prime features of the thriller. Although there is detective work, there is no detective; although there are twists
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and turns, there is rarely any artificial ratcheting up of suspense. Instead, Harris trusts to the rhythm of the republic's politics to generate his trademark readability, a rhythm that the Romans themselves enshrined in their literature as something relentlessly exciting: in short, a thriller. Genres ancient and modern have rarely been so skilfully synthesised.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member morbidromantic
You know Cicero?
Yes, Cicero, the Roman statesman who is known by us today as the guy who talked and talked and did a lot of stuff with law. And oh yeah, talked. You probably had to read something by him in high school or college, so you likely have pretty bad and boring memories related to the name
So when I read that Imperium by Robert Harris was about Cicero, I gave an internal groan.
A premature assumption of boredom that turned out to be totally wrong.
Imperium is a great book. It’s that simple. The story is told through the narrative of Cicero’s ex-slave Tiro. Tiro takes us through Cicero’s life up to the events leading into his Consulship. What Harris writes is based on truth and has some evidence to support the basics. The events Cicero finds himself a part of are quite full of power plays, intrigue, and political corruption. But to set the background, we first meet Cicero as a student of philosophy with a humble farmer background and a sharp mind and wit that has the unfortunate result of offending many of the wrong men. After his study of philosophy, we move with Cicero into his political career, where he climbs up the ladder of the state, gaining office as he becomes a champion of the people. The first half of the book involves Cicero taking on the case of Verres, a corrupt Sicilian governor who has friends in all the right places. Cicero’s way with words and luck with evidence, attributed to his cleverness, leads to a resounding victory against all odds and popularity beyond words.
But not all is good with Cicero at this point— prosecuting Verres puts Cicero at odds with the aristocratic foundation of the Republic. After Verres comes the grand general Pompey (the guy Caesar chased out of Rome when he crossed the Rubicon much later) and his rivalry with Crassus. Cicero gives his support to Pompey and makes a powerful enemy of Crassus, who soon engages in vote buying at a high scale to pack the government in his favor. The plan is to arrange the government so that Crassus and Caesar will have an open door to increasing their own power. Pretty clever Crassus. Naturally, Cicero finds out about the plot and exposes them before the Senate, winning a victory for Consul at the youngest age allowed.
You have a lot of big names: Pomepy, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Piso, Metelleus. Since Imperium is about Cicero and his dealings, these characters are supportive in nature only and come and go as the story requires. This is just as well because there are volumes written about Caesar by everyone and their grandmother. It was quite amusing to see Caesar portrayed as a horny, shady, power hungry youngster and nothing more. Oh, I respect Caesar and am quite enamored with him as most are, but the turn of character was great. Usually Cicero is the annoying old man who won’t shut up and Caesar is the charming hero. In Imperium Cicero was the hero, and a quite charming one at that.
What about the politics and history? Was it dry and full of historical detail? Historical yes, but dry it was definitely not. I don’t think that this is a book for your Roman novice, though. For anyone not familiar with the various political offices, names, social classes, and Republican standards, the book may be difficult to grasp. I feel that my background in Roman history helped me a lot in reading through the book as a fluid novel rather than a pause and continue that requires a bit of Google searching to understand completely.
Yes, Cicero, the Roman statesman who is known by us today as the guy who talked and talked and did a lot of stuff with law. And oh yeah, talked. You probably had to read something by him in high school or college, so you likely have pretty bad and boring memories related to the name
Show More
Marcus Tullius Cicero.So when I read that Imperium by Robert Harris was about Cicero, I gave an internal groan.
A premature assumption of boredom that turned out to be totally wrong.
Imperium is a great book. It’s that simple. The story is told through the narrative of Cicero’s ex-slave Tiro. Tiro takes us through Cicero’s life up to the events leading into his Consulship. What Harris writes is based on truth and has some evidence to support the basics. The events Cicero finds himself a part of are quite full of power plays, intrigue, and political corruption. But to set the background, we first meet Cicero as a student of philosophy with a humble farmer background and a sharp mind and wit that has the unfortunate result of offending many of the wrong men. After his study of philosophy, we move with Cicero into his political career, where he climbs up the ladder of the state, gaining office as he becomes a champion of the people. The first half of the book involves Cicero taking on the case of Verres, a corrupt Sicilian governor who has friends in all the right places. Cicero’s way with words and luck with evidence, attributed to his cleverness, leads to a resounding victory against all odds and popularity beyond words.
But not all is good with Cicero at this point— prosecuting Verres puts Cicero at odds with the aristocratic foundation of the Republic. After Verres comes the grand general Pompey (the guy Caesar chased out of Rome when he crossed the Rubicon much later) and his rivalry with Crassus. Cicero gives his support to Pompey and makes a powerful enemy of Crassus, who soon engages in vote buying at a high scale to pack the government in his favor. The plan is to arrange the government so that Crassus and Caesar will have an open door to increasing their own power. Pretty clever Crassus. Naturally, Cicero finds out about the plot and exposes them before the Senate, winning a victory for Consul at the youngest age allowed.
You have a lot of big names: Pomepy, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Piso, Metelleus. Since Imperium is about Cicero and his dealings, these characters are supportive in nature only and come and go as the story requires. This is just as well because there are volumes written about Caesar by everyone and their grandmother. It was quite amusing to see Caesar portrayed as a horny, shady, power hungry youngster and nothing more. Oh, I respect Caesar and am quite enamored with him as most are, but the turn of character was great. Usually Cicero is the annoying old man who won’t shut up and Caesar is the charming hero. In Imperium Cicero was the hero, and a quite charming one at that.
What about the politics and history? Was it dry and full of historical detail? Historical yes, but dry it was definitely not. I don’t think that this is a book for your Roman novice, though. For anyone not familiar with the various political offices, names, social classes, and Republican standards, the book may be difficult to grasp. I feel that my background in Roman history helped me a lot in reading through the book as a fluid novel rather than a pause and continue that requires a bit of Google searching to understand completely.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MarysGirl
Imperium is the first in a trilogy of novels about the life and times of Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of Republican Rome's most famous orators. The book is narrated by Tiro, Cicero's slave and secretary, many years after Cicero's death. Tiro existed and lived to be a hundred years old. He was famous
"Imperium—the power of life and death as vested by the state in an individual. Many hundreds of men have sought this power, but Cicero was unique in the history of the republic in that he pursued it with no resources to help him apart from his own talent. He was not, unlike Metellus or Hortensius, from one of the great aristocratic families, with generations of political favors to draw on at election time. He had no mighty army to back up his candidacy, as did Pompey or Caesar. He did not have Crassus' vast fortune to smooth his path. All he had was his voice—and by sheer effort of will he turned it into the most famous voice in the world."
The story is primarily a political thriller—there is little physical action and only a scene or two in which there might be some physical danger. Tiro is a wonderful, sympathetic character—intelligent, loyal, hard-working; brave when he needs to be; and, at all times, discreet. His "voice," through Harris, is straightforward narrative with not a lot of reflection or poetry, but excellent descriptions of places and people—what you might expect from a person who spends his life listening, watching and recording.
As Tiro states in the early pages, he probably spent more time with Cicero than anyone else, including Cicero's family. The famous orator comes across as ambitious, politically astute and a ferocious master of detail. Cicero married for money, so he could enter the Senate, but was a loving husband and father, writing frequently about his children and his fears for them. I liked his intelligent, abrasive wife Terentia, who on more than one occasion gave him the inspiration to do something unexpected. He stayed married to her long after he made enough money to fund his own ambitions and many people at the time wondered why he didn't divorce her.
As to the plot, if you don't have some familiarity with the players and events of the times, it can become quite confusing. Harris does a good job of weaving the historical details into the narrative without boring the reader, but it still helps to have some background. There are plots within plots, shifting factions and loyalties, and the minutia of governing. Cicero walks a fine line trying not to alienate the men in power while not becoming their pawn. He successfully prosecutes an "untouchable" aristocrat who plundered Sicily, adroitly advises Pompey in his transition from army to public life, and foils the ambitious plot of some of the most powerful men in Rome to steal an election. But with all his brilliance, he still makes enemies and, by the end, when he wins the imperium he so lusts for, they are lining up on all sides to take him down.
Harris does us a favor bringing this famous Roman back to the public in such an accessible story. Since Latin is no longer required in high school or college, Cicero is fading from our collective memory, which is a shame—he profoundly affected our U.S. founding fathers. Because so many of his books and letters survived, his work became canon in studying the language and his views on a balanced government suffused the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers and are reflected in our constitution. John Adams' first and most prized book was his Cicero. I recommend Imperium and will be looking forward to the next installment: Conspirata.
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for creating a short hand that he used for taking notes and later was adopted by the Senate. There is considerable evidence he wrote a biography of his former master, but those books are lost to history. Harris gives him back his voice. From the opening pages:"Imperium—the power of life and death as vested by the state in an individual. Many hundreds of men have sought this power, but Cicero was unique in the history of the republic in that he pursued it with no resources to help him apart from his own talent. He was not, unlike Metellus or Hortensius, from one of the great aristocratic families, with generations of political favors to draw on at election time. He had no mighty army to back up his candidacy, as did Pompey or Caesar. He did not have Crassus' vast fortune to smooth his path. All he had was his voice—and by sheer effort of will he turned it into the most famous voice in the world."
The story is primarily a political thriller—there is little physical action and only a scene or two in which there might be some physical danger. Tiro is a wonderful, sympathetic character—intelligent, loyal, hard-working; brave when he needs to be; and, at all times, discreet. His "voice," through Harris, is straightforward narrative with not a lot of reflection or poetry, but excellent descriptions of places and people—what you might expect from a person who spends his life listening, watching and recording.
As Tiro states in the early pages, he probably spent more time with Cicero than anyone else, including Cicero's family. The famous orator comes across as ambitious, politically astute and a ferocious master of detail. Cicero married for money, so he could enter the Senate, but was a loving husband and father, writing frequently about his children and his fears for them. I liked his intelligent, abrasive wife Terentia, who on more than one occasion gave him the inspiration to do something unexpected. He stayed married to her long after he made enough money to fund his own ambitions and many people at the time wondered why he didn't divorce her.
As to the plot, if you don't have some familiarity with the players and events of the times, it can become quite confusing. Harris does a good job of weaving the historical details into the narrative without boring the reader, but it still helps to have some background. There are plots within plots, shifting factions and loyalties, and the minutia of governing. Cicero walks a fine line trying not to alienate the men in power while not becoming their pawn. He successfully prosecutes an "untouchable" aristocrat who plundered Sicily, adroitly advises Pompey in his transition from army to public life, and foils the ambitious plot of some of the most powerful men in Rome to steal an election. But with all his brilliance, he still makes enemies and, by the end, when he wins the imperium he so lusts for, they are lining up on all sides to take him down.
Harris does us a favor bringing this famous Roman back to the public in such an accessible story. Since Latin is no longer required in high school or college, Cicero is fading from our collective memory, which is a shame—he profoundly affected our U.S. founding fathers. Because so many of his books and letters survived, his work became canon in studying the language and his views on a balanced government suffused the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers and are reflected in our constitution. John Adams' first and most prized book was his Cicero. I recommend Imperium and will be looking forward to the next installment: Conspirata.
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LibraryThing member thinkingmeat
I found this book at a used book sale last fall and picked it up from my fiction pile recently because I wanted to escape from the contemporary political scene into the story of a politician long gone. The book describes the ascent of Marcus Tullius Cicero to the consulship of Rome, a position he
Despite my attempt to escape current politics, I found that Harris had tried hard to draw parallels between current events (the book was published in 2006) and those of Cicero's time. For example, at one point a law is proposed to allow one man supreme command of the Mediterranean and its shores for the purpose of eradicating the pirates that preyed on ships at sea. Harris described the pirates as a new sort of menace: stateless, not bound by treaties, a "worldwide pestilence" that threatened the peace and security of Rome. The law was a response to an attack at Ostia, Rome's harbor, in which two Roman officials were kidnapped, and a nervous public, their fears played on by politicians, were willing to give unprecedented great power to a single man. A speaker against the new law argued that "ancient liberties were not to be flung aside merely because of some passing scare about pirates." The parallels with current events were clear, although I'm not sure how a historian would view them. At the same time, political dealings were quite different in some ways (fistfights in the Senate House, for example), making me realize how ugly political life could really get.
The first third of the book covers a case that Cicero bravely and energetically prosecuted against a provincial governor for abuses of power committed against his subjects. Cicero comes across as dedicated and heroic here, but political considerations pushed him into some gray areas if not entirely onto the wrong side in later episodes (although I was glad to see that he did have some limits). His political ambitions dominated his decisions; at one point he says to Tiro that "Everything I do now must be viewed through the prism of that election [for praetor]." (I was reminded of something historian Will Durant said, in Caesar and Christ, about how Cicero "trimmed his wind to every sale"; I'm not sure if he was referring to any of the events in this book, but Cicero was certainly flexible in the causes he supported depending on how they would serve his career.) The tension between the right thing, the politically possible thing, and the merely politically expedient was also quite timely.
The last part of the book is a vivid description of the election for consul. I found it gripping enough that I sat up late finishing it. It is a tribute to Harris's storytelling that I was totally absorbed and had to keep reading to determine the outcome of an election 2000 years ago that Wikipedia could have told me about immediately. I'm hoping that the sequel to this book, Conspirata, is that good.
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held for the year 63 BCE. The book goes into particular detail about his elections to the office of praetor (one of eight who served the city) and then consul (one of two). Cicero was a "new man," not one of the old aristocratic families, which was a strike against him, but he was an intelligent and shrewd politician and an acclaimed orator. He also had the upport of his brother and, for a while, his cousin, as well as the services of a slave, Tiro, who narrates the story in the form of a memoir written in old age. In fact, the real Tiro did live to be 91; various writings, including a biography of Cicero, have been attributed to him, as well as a shorthand system for taking notes at meetings and in court proceedings. (The shorthand system plays a key role toward the end of the book.) He's an engaging narrator. Despite my attempt to escape current politics, I found that Harris had tried hard to draw parallels between current events (the book was published in 2006) and those of Cicero's time. For example, at one point a law is proposed to allow one man supreme command of the Mediterranean and its shores for the purpose of eradicating the pirates that preyed on ships at sea. Harris described the pirates as a new sort of menace: stateless, not bound by treaties, a "worldwide pestilence" that threatened the peace and security of Rome. The law was a response to an attack at Ostia, Rome's harbor, in which two Roman officials were kidnapped, and a nervous public, their fears played on by politicians, were willing to give unprecedented great power to a single man. A speaker against the new law argued that "ancient liberties were not to be flung aside merely because of some passing scare about pirates." The parallels with current events were clear, although I'm not sure how a historian would view them. At the same time, political dealings were quite different in some ways (fistfights in the Senate House, for example), making me realize how ugly political life could really get.
The first third of the book covers a case that Cicero bravely and energetically prosecuted against a provincial governor for abuses of power committed against his subjects. Cicero comes across as dedicated and heroic here, but political considerations pushed him into some gray areas if not entirely onto the wrong side in later episodes (although I was glad to see that he did have some limits). His political ambitions dominated his decisions; at one point he says to Tiro that "Everything I do now must be viewed through the prism of that election [for praetor]." (I was reminded of something historian Will Durant said, in Caesar and Christ, about how Cicero "trimmed his wind to every sale"; I'm not sure if he was referring to any of the events in this book, but Cicero was certainly flexible in the causes he supported depending on how they would serve his career.) The tension between the right thing, the politically possible thing, and the merely politically expedient was also quite timely.
The last part of the book is a vivid description of the election for consul. I found it gripping enough that I sat up late finishing it. It is a tribute to Harris's storytelling that I was totally absorbed and had to keep reading to determine the outcome of an election 2000 years ago that Wikipedia could have told me about immediately. I'm hoping that the sequel to this book, Conspirata, is that good.
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LibraryThing member smik
We were so pleased with recently listening to the audio version of CONCLAVE that we
decided to follow it up with another by the same author. IMPERIUM did not disappoint.
It is the first of what is now known as the Cicero Trilogy and traces Cicero's rise from lawyer, to senator, and then to consul. At
The rest of the series is
2. Lustrum (2009)
aka Conspirata
3. Dictator (2015) and I can see that we will be following it to the end, and then maybe venturing into some other Harris books.
decided to follow it up with another by the same author. IMPERIUM did not disappoint.
It is the first of what is now known as the Cicero Trilogy and traces Cicero's rise from lawyer, to senator, and then to consul. At
Show More
nearly 14 hours it makes a long audio book but it is fascinating listening.The rest of the series is
2. Lustrum (2009)
aka Conspirata
3. Dictator (2015) and I can see that we will be following it to the end, and then maybe venturing into some other Harris books.
Show Less
LibraryThing member dougwood57
In 'Imperium', Robert Harris delivers an historically highly authentic and enjoyably readable account of Marcus Tullius Cicero's rise from 'new man' Senator to the consulship. Harris uses the historical character Tiro, Cicero's slave and private secretary, to tell the tale of legal and political
Tiro chronicles the exciting story of Cicero's risky high stakes prosecution of Gaius Verres, Roman governor of Sicily, for gross corruption and murder. We also follow Cicero's climb from mere Senator through the rungs of the 'cursus honorum' or "succession of magistracies" to aedile, praetor, and finally consul - no easy task for a man without great wealth, military valour, or patrician background.
The great power granted to Pompey in order to destroy the pirates attacking the Rome - pirates who turn out to have been an overstated threat - has suggestive echoes for our own time, but no more than echoes. Harris is not trying to make an overt political statement.
Along the way we encounter historical figures such as the Cicero's brother and political manager, Quintus, the giant of the law courts Hortensius, Pompey Magnus, a young Julius Caesar, wicked Cataline, the great general Crassus, and his sharp-witted patrician wife Terentia. Indeed, it is unclear whether any character in the book is actually fictional.
'Imperium' presents an interesting excursion inside the power struggles of the Roman Republic that is made the more compelling by being told from Cicero and Tiro's particular viewpoint rather than with an omniscient narrative voice. The book ends just as Cicero becomes consul at age 43 in 63 B.C. and leaves many an interesting tale untold (his role in defeating the Cataline Conspiracy, for one, and his relation with Pompey and Julius Caesar in the Civil War for another).
Highest recommendation for readers of historical fiction, anyone with an interest in Roman history, and fans of Robert Harris ('Imperiium' surpasses his 'Pompeii'). Here's hoping for at least one sequel.
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intrigue in the late Roman Republic. (Tiro actually wrote memoirs of his life with Cicero, which as with so much of the record of antiquity is unfortunately lost to us.) Tiro chronicles the exciting story of Cicero's risky high stakes prosecution of Gaius Verres, Roman governor of Sicily, for gross corruption and murder. We also follow Cicero's climb from mere Senator through the rungs of the 'cursus honorum' or "succession of magistracies" to aedile, praetor, and finally consul - no easy task for a man without great wealth, military valour, or patrician background.
The great power granted to Pompey in order to destroy the pirates attacking the Rome - pirates who turn out to have been an overstated threat - has suggestive echoes for our own time, but no more than echoes. Harris is not trying to make an overt political statement.
Along the way we encounter historical figures such as the Cicero's brother and political manager, Quintus, the giant of the law courts Hortensius, Pompey Magnus, a young Julius Caesar, wicked Cataline, the great general Crassus, and his sharp-witted patrician wife Terentia. Indeed, it is unclear whether any character in the book is actually fictional.
'Imperium' presents an interesting excursion inside the power struggles of the Roman Republic that is made the more compelling by being told from Cicero and Tiro's particular viewpoint rather than with an omniscient narrative voice. The book ends just as Cicero becomes consul at age 43 in 63 B.C. and leaves many an interesting tale untold (his role in defeating the Cataline Conspiracy, for one, and his relation with Pompey and Julius Caesar in the Civil War for another).
Highest recommendation for readers of historical fiction, anyone with an interest in Roman history, and fans of Robert Harris ('Imperiium' surpasses his 'Pompeii'). Here's hoping for at least one sequel.
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LibraryThing member jmoncton
Marcus Tullius Cicero is one of those names that you know is historically significant, but can't really think of what he is famous for. Part of the reason is that unlike many of the other historical figures of that era, he did not earn his fame by commanding victorious Roman legions or purchase
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power by being part of the Roman aristocracy. Instead, Cicero, coming from a wealthy, but not powerful family, made history through the use of his wit and amazing skills as an orator, rising through the Roman Senate and becoming a Consul of Rome. The story is told through the eyes of Cicero's personal secretary and slave, Tiro, another historical figure who created a form of short hand to allow him to record speeches and dictation at speed. Although you would think that the life of an orator would not be that exciting, Cicero was a major player in the politics and intrigue of Rome. Parts of this story were riveting, especially Cicero's role in exposing the corruption of Verres, the brutal governor of Sicily. However, parts of this book also dragged. Although Cicero's accomplishments are impressive, some parts of his life seemed to be included in the book for completeness and could have been left out. I listened to this with my son, who as a Latin student will be reading some of Cicero's speeches as part of the curriculum. It was definitely a good experience for both of us - we both learned quite a bit and hopefully it will motivate him in translating some long passages. Show Less
LibraryThing member JumpingJacquesFlash
Excellent book, well researched.
There are moments you actually believe you are there and witness the cleverness and wit of one of the most famous lawyers ever.
Remarkable is how the Roman Senate and political world so mirrors our own world in this time!
Corruption, greed and power are still
There are moments you actually believe you are there and witness the cleverness and wit of one of the most famous lawyers ever.
Remarkable is how the Roman Senate and political world so mirrors our own world in this time!
Corruption, greed and power are still
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everywhere. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
If you do not enjoy novels of political intrigue, schemes and machinations with very little action, don’t read this book. If you can’t keep Roman names straight and often confuse them, this is not the novel for you. Also, if you don’t have some grasp of Republican Rome, this might not be the
I do read a lot of fiction of this kind and the limited scope of this novel took some getting used to. Seeing so many pages devoted to a single trial early on, I had to remind myself that Tiro’s narrative would end with Cicero’s being elected Consul and no further. That the story was his rise to this position and not about what he did when he attained it.
Seeing Cicero abandon and compromise many of his principles in his quest for Consul was a very realistic approach. So many historical novelists fall a bit in love with their subjects and it colors their portrayal of them. Cicero was a principled man who had to learn how to be a politician. That meant not sticking to his guns when it could advance his career. Even these days people sometimes forget that politicians are primarily in it for themselves. For millennia this has been the case and it is very much the theme here.
Tiro’s perspective was also interesting. He was resigned to his fate. He hoped to be freed one day, but did not consciously dwell on it and did not expect it any time soon. That kind of sanguinity is almost unheard of in this day and age where the concept of happiness rules everything we do and strive for. Tiro is not concerned with being happy, he’s concerned with keeping his head above water. His meager existence is just the way things are and he does not feel like he should even aspire to want the comforts, rights and privileges of Cicero and his ilk. It must have been a difficult task to not imbue Tiro with that trait. Well done.
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place to learn. Harris writes with an assumption that his reader is familiar with the basics (such as what an aedile is) of Republican Roman society, practices, politics and personages. That being said, it’s a pretty decent read, better than Pompeii. I do read a lot of fiction of this kind and the limited scope of this novel took some getting used to. Seeing so many pages devoted to a single trial early on, I had to remind myself that Tiro’s narrative would end with Cicero’s being elected Consul and no further. That the story was his rise to this position and not about what he did when he attained it.
Seeing Cicero abandon and compromise many of his principles in his quest for Consul was a very realistic approach. So many historical novelists fall a bit in love with their subjects and it colors their portrayal of them. Cicero was a principled man who had to learn how to be a politician. That meant not sticking to his guns when it could advance his career. Even these days people sometimes forget that politicians are primarily in it for themselves. For millennia this has been the case and it is very much the theme here.
Tiro’s perspective was also interesting. He was resigned to his fate. He hoped to be freed one day, but did not consciously dwell on it and did not expect it any time soon. That kind of sanguinity is almost unheard of in this day and age where the concept of happiness rules everything we do and strive for. Tiro is not concerned with being happy, he’s concerned with keeping his head above water. His meager existence is just the way things are and he does not feel like he should even aspire to want the comforts, rights and privileges of Cicero and his ilk. It must have been a difficult task to not imbue Tiro with that trait. Well done.
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LibraryThing member runner56
The 1969/1970 comedy Up Pompeii starred British comedian Frankie Howerd as put upon slave Lurcio always ready and willing to spread a little gossip from his adopted Roman household. Now in no way am I trying to suggest or draw a comparison between Lurcio and Tiro (personal secretary to Tiro) but
The first part of Imperium shows Cicero develop his skills both as orator and advocate using his talents to expose the tyrannical reign of Gaius Verres, Roman magistrate, notorious for his misgovernment of Sicily extorting local farmers and plundering temples for his own personal gain….”Gaius Verres has robbed the treasury and behaved like a pirate and a destroying pestilence in his province of Sicily. You have only to find this man guilty and respect in you will be rightly restored”….His most heinous crime was the crucifixion of Publius Gavius accused of being a spy and sentenced to death….”and had Gavius stripped naked and publicly flogged before us all. Then he was tortured with hot irons. And then he was crucified”….Civis romanus sum were the only words uttered by Gabius as he slowly died.
The second half of the book is given over to Cicero’s bid to be elected one of Rome’s two governing consuls and by so doing achieved “Imperium” absolute power. It is wonderful to be party to and to understand just how difficult oppressive and cruel life could be for the ordinary populace of Rome in the latter days of the Republic. Wealth was king, wealth was the stepping stones of a life of influence, status and honour. We meet the great players of the day, Pompey and Crassus, efficient killing machines, at advancing the rule of Rome spreading citizenship for and wide. Success in battle resulted in wealth, (plundered) power and influence….”Crassus, said Pompey at once his old enemy was never far from his thoughts”….”Well I suppose if you are really worried said Cicero we could always specify that the supreme commander should be an ex consul whose name begins with a P”….
Imperium is the first of a trilogy about the life of Cicero, It is a brilliant piece of writing, taut, informative, alive with the sights and sounds of everyday Rome….”Rome is not a question of blood or religion: Rome is an ideal, Rome is the highest embodiment of liberty and law that mankind has yet achieved in the ten thousand years since our ancestors came down from those mountains and learned how to live as communities under the rule of law”…
Highly, highly recommended!
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using a member of Cicero’s household to act as narrator we have a wonderful “fly on the wall” storyteller. Cicero was an excellent lawyer, orator, shrewd politician and through his own speeches and letters Robert Harris is able to construct a powerful unforgettable story of Rome at a time of great turmoil and change. By using the voice of Tiro, first a slave then a freeman of Cicero, he effectively invites us the reader to enjoy a private view of the Roman Republic.The first part of Imperium shows Cicero develop his skills both as orator and advocate using his talents to expose the tyrannical reign of Gaius Verres, Roman magistrate, notorious for his misgovernment of Sicily extorting local farmers and plundering temples for his own personal gain….”Gaius Verres has robbed the treasury and behaved like a pirate and a destroying pestilence in his province of Sicily. You have only to find this man guilty and respect in you will be rightly restored”….His most heinous crime was the crucifixion of Publius Gavius accused of being a spy and sentenced to death….”and had Gavius stripped naked and publicly flogged before us all. Then he was tortured with hot irons. And then he was crucified”….Civis romanus sum were the only words uttered by Gabius as he slowly died.
The second half of the book is given over to Cicero’s bid to be elected one of Rome’s two governing consuls and by so doing achieved “Imperium” absolute power. It is wonderful to be party to and to understand just how difficult oppressive and cruel life could be for the ordinary populace of Rome in the latter days of the Republic. Wealth was king, wealth was the stepping stones of a life of influence, status and honour. We meet the great players of the day, Pompey and Crassus, efficient killing machines, at advancing the rule of Rome spreading citizenship for and wide. Success in battle resulted in wealth, (plundered) power and influence….”Crassus, said Pompey at once his old enemy was never far from his thoughts”….”Well I suppose if you are really worried said Cicero we could always specify that the supreme commander should be an ex consul whose name begins with a P”….
Imperium is the first of a trilogy about the life of Cicero, It is a brilliant piece of writing, taut, informative, alive with the sights and sounds of everyday Rome….”Rome is not a question of blood or religion: Rome is an ideal, Rome is the highest embodiment of liberty and law that mankind has yet achieved in the ten thousand years since our ancestors came down from those mountains and learned how to live as communities under the rule of law”…
Highly, highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member ALincolnNut
The British historical novelist Robert Harris, who so famously has set novels in the World War II/Cold War era, has recently turned to the ancient world for inspiration. After a novel on Pompeii, he turns to the politics of ancient Rome with "Imperium," the story of the rise of Cicero. The first of
Ostensibly narrated by Tiro, who was Cicero's longtime secretary and an inventor of shorthand, the book is an intimate account of Cicero's daring use of his rhetorical abilities in public trials and political deliberations. It also suggests many behind-the-scenes deliberations between ever-changing political factions, offering glimpses of other significant political figures of the time, who have prestige such that Cicero covets their support, or who are likewise fighting for the support of powerful patrons. In particular, the young Julius Caesar looms over the narrative in these years before his military glories.
Like Harris' other books, it is a fascinating read, relying on a wealth of historical details to support the intricate plot. It offers Cicero as a generally likeable fellow of great potential and great ambition, relying not only on his gilded tongue but on his political cunning to advance his career. His secretary Tiro is loyal and invaluable; his wife Terentia was from a moneyed family, giving him station, but also the headaches of dealing with marrying someone from a higher class.
The first half of the book focuses on a prominent political trial; the second with political intrigues over the creation of a law that allowed the Senate to name a single authoritarian leader during times of crisis (the precedent that eventually allowed Caesar to become emperor). Both are fraught with danger for Cicero -- it is clear that he is dealing with forces that could crush him and his career; these external factors effectively provide much of the narrative tension in the novel.
For those poorly versed in ancient history, the book may be difficult to read: in particular it may be almost impossible to keep all of the characters straight. Those more informed will likely be more impressed. Falling in between, I found the story enjoyable, but always had the feeling I was missing out because of my lack of knowledge.
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a series of novels Harris plans to write about Cicero, the book demonstrates his political career as an up-and-coming senator in the Roman republic.Ostensibly narrated by Tiro, who was Cicero's longtime secretary and an inventor of shorthand, the book is an intimate account of Cicero's daring use of his rhetorical abilities in public trials and political deliberations. It also suggests many behind-the-scenes deliberations between ever-changing political factions, offering glimpses of other significant political figures of the time, who have prestige such that Cicero covets their support, or who are likewise fighting for the support of powerful patrons. In particular, the young Julius Caesar looms over the narrative in these years before his military glories.
Like Harris' other books, it is a fascinating read, relying on a wealth of historical details to support the intricate plot. It offers Cicero as a generally likeable fellow of great potential and great ambition, relying not only on his gilded tongue but on his political cunning to advance his career. His secretary Tiro is loyal and invaluable; his wife Terentia was from a moneyed family, giving him station, but also the headaches of dealing with marrying someone from a higher class.
The first half of the book focuses on a prominent political trial; the second with political intrigues over the creation of a law that allowed the Senate to name a single authoritarian leader during times of crisis (the precedent that eventually allowed Caesar to become emperor). Both are fraught with danger for Cicero -- it is clear that he is dealing with forces that could crush him and his career; these external factors effectively provide much of the narrative tension in the novel.
For those poorly versed in ancient history, the book may be difficult to read: in particular it may be almost impossible to keep all of the characters straight. Those more informed will likely be more impressed. Falling in between, I found the story enjoyable, but always had the feeling I was missing out because of my lack of knowledge.
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LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
Finished the first book in the Cicero Trilogy, as usual with all Robert Harris books this was a cracking read. This book covered the early part of his political life up until he became a Consul. This book helped me clarify the political process in Ancient Rome, as well as giving the precursor for
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modern trials. It is a surprise Cicero made it given the enemies Cicero made along the way, including Crassus. I look forward to continuing the trilogy. Show Less
LibraryThing member john257hopper
This is a re-read of the first volume of Robert Harris's trilogy of novels about the life of the great Roman lawyer, orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, prompted by seeing the first play of the RSC's excellent two-part adaptation at the Gielgud Theatre in London last week. The novel comes
in defence of politics - "Politics? Boring? Politics is history on the wing! What other sphere of human activity calls forth all that is most noble in men’s souls, and all that is most base? Or has such excitement? Or more vividly exposes our strengths and weaknesses? Boring? You might as well say that life itself is boring!"
and correspondingly against the notion of permanent state officialdom (a complaint which is echoed by some contemporary government ministers):
"These people,’ Cicero complained to me one morning, ‘are a warning of what happens to any state which has a permanent staff of officials. They begin as our servants and end up imagining themselves our masters!"
in defence of history - "To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?"
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across just as well as it did the first time I read it some nine years ago, and depicts marvellously the tensions and intricacies of Roman public life, with some great characters in particular Cicero's slave and aide, Tiro, and the former's wife Terentia. There are some great and pithy remarks by Cicero, such as:in defence of politics - "Politics? Boring? Politics is history on the wing! What other sphere of human activity calls forth all that is most noble in men’s souls, and all that is most base? Or has such excitement? Or more vividly exposes our strengths and weaknesses? Boring? You might as well say that life itself is boring!"
and correspondingly against the notion of permanent state officialdom (a complaint which is echoed by some contemporary government ministers):
"These people,’ Cicero complained to me one morning, ‘are a warning of what happens to any state which has a permanent staff of officials. They begin as our servants and end up imagining themselves our masters!"
in defence of history - "To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?"
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LibraryThing member LynnB
This is a fictionalized story of Cicero, who was a lawyer and senator in ancient Rome. It is narrated by his slave and personal secretary, Tiro, who in real life, wrote a biography of Cicero which has been lost.
This is an interesting story of political intrigue and is a real page-turner. Very well
I enjoyed contemplating how little has changed in the world of politics; how many ideas of modern law and democracy are rooted in ancient Roman practices. And, what is the differenece, really, between throwing people to lions, Saturday morning cartoons (in my day) and video games?
This book also inspired me to research other aspects of Cicero's life and times.
A good story, well told.
This is an interesting story of political intrigue and is a real page-turner. Very well
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written. I have a number of criciticms, but these are minor and don't really detract from the story. First, some of the dialogue or writing just doesn't ring true...like the comment that "even women could be stenographers", which sounds like a modern-day tongue-in-cheek comment. And, the author sometimes doesn't explain things until well after they are introduced....Cicero won the election for aedile long before we were told what an aedile was (thank goodness for internet). I enjoyed contemplating how little has changed in the world of politics; how many ideas of modern law and democracy are rooted in ancient Roman practices. And, what is the differenece, really, between throwing people to lions, Saturday morning cartoons (in my day) and video games?
This book also inspired me to research other aspects of Cicero's life and times.
A good story, well told.
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LibraryThing member nlavery
Great book, historically heavy, with an interesting storyline underlined with what would seem, without further research, a technically correct setting. Similar in style to Michal Chrichton. Other good books by author include "Pompeii".
LibraryThing member john257hopper
Marvellous stuff, Roman Republican politics and law in the hands of a great thriller writer. What a great aide Tiro was, the creator of shorthand symbols used today over two millenia later.
LibraryThing member santhony
In no way is this a bad book and it is in fact quite entertaining at times. It is however, relatively thin in its scope and is far too short a story for the subject undertaken. In fact, inasmuch as the novel concludes with Cicero's election to Consul at age 42, I expect a followup work encompassing
The subject is a good one and fertile ground. Interest in the Ancient Roman Republic is broad and the choice of Cicero as a focal point is certainly original. Telling the story through the eyes of Cicero's secretary (slave) Tiro is an interesting touch. It is an accepted historical fact that Tiro did publish a work on the life of Cicero, though the original was lost to history.
I've read all of Harris's work and this book is very similar in style to his Pompeii. If you like this one you'll like it as well. Harris also has several works in the area of alternative history, his best being Archangel. If you are looking for more challenging and better developed works on the Ancient Roman Republic, I highly recommend the numerous books of Colleen McCollough on the subject.
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his remaining years, focusing of course on his relationship with the emerging Julius Caesar. The story could have been told in one work, but of course at half the sales receipts. The proliferation of double spaced, wide margin 300 page novellas is a pet peeve of mine. The subject is a good one and fertile ground. Interest in the Ancient Roman Republic is broad and the choice of Cicero as a focal point is certainly original. Telling the story through the eyes of Cicero's secretary (slave) Tiro is an interesting touch. It is an accepted historical fact that Tiro did publish a work on the life of Cicero, though the original was lost to history.
I've read all of Harris's work and this book is very similar in style to his Pompeii. If you like this one you'll like it as well. Harris also has several works in the area of alternative history, his best being Archangel. If you are looking for more challenging and better developed works on the Ancient Roman Republic, I highly recommend the numerous books of Colleen McCollough on the subject.
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LibraryThing member AprilHamilton
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had just the right blend of historical information, drama, characterization and even humor. Even though the outcome of the main throughline of the plot (will Cicero achieve his goal of becoming ruler of Rome?) is known by anyone who's familiar with the history of
Note that I "read" this book in unabridged audiobook format from Audible, and found the narration to be excellent.
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ancient Rome, Harris manages to maintain a surprising level of suspense and excitement. Note that I "read" this book in unabridged audiobook format from Audible, and found the narration to be excellent.
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LibraryThing member Karen_Wells
I have read virtually all this author's books, and he just keeps getting better, both as a writer and as a teller of tales. Until Imperium I thought of Harris as a writer of high-class airport books - nothing wrong in that! - but this transcends that genre altogether. A superb, engrossing novel.
LibraryThing member dulcibelle
It started off OK, but it finished sort of 'meh'. Not bad, just not all that good. Very detailed, and seemed to be historically accurate (ancient Rome is not a well-known era for me), but for much of the book there really didn't seem to be anything happening. Guess political pot boilers aren't my
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cup of tea. I did enjoy Harris' writing style, so will probably read others of his work at some time. Show Less
LibraryThing member AndreasJungherr
Great historical novel about the political process in ancient Rome. Harris writes about the big necessities of political life: Getting out the vote, agenda setting and good old political power play. It's all here and it's fun.
LibraryThing member tandu
I really liked this. It detailed Marcus Cicero's life and career in the dying days of the Roman Republic. A very good retelling from the point of view of the secretary of Cicero. The thing it brought home to me is how little humans have changed in the past 2000 years.
LibraryThing member bhowell
This is a great book about the Roman lawyer, orator and senator, Cicero. As a lawyer it is fascinating to read about the real life of a young lawyer learning his trade, dealing with clients and issues that we still struggle with today. We use many of the same legal concepts today. And this existed
The story is of course exciting in itself. How unfortunate that Tiro's actual books about Cicero were destroyed! I just may try another Robert Harris.
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so many years ago in a civilisation actually testing out the basic concepts of democracy, only for the world to fall into darkness for centuries. While Roman justice was obviously lacking in many ways, the story of Cicero illustrates the importance of a strong independent legal profession to democracy. The story is of course exciting in itself. How unfortunate that Tiro's actual books about Cicero were destroyed! I just may try another Robert Harris.
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LibraryThing member hotchk155
Utterly superb historical fiction! The book follows the progression of Roman laywer Cicero through to the highest echelons of Roman power, as seen through the eyes of his slave and secretary Tiro (also the inventor of shorthand!). As great as Cicero's true story might be, what makes this book such
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a great read is the fascinating picture of ancient Roman life painted by Harris, and the rich cast of characters he assembles. Sure, it might not be everyones cup of tea, but I don't think historical fiction gets much better than this. Masterful work from Mr Harris! Show Less
LibraryThing member RobProsser
Robert Harris novels are always worth the wait and Imperium is no exception. Charting the rise the prominence of Cicero as written by his slave/secretary Tiro. Robert Harris' meticulous research allows him to create an utterly convincing recreation of Rome. At the same time he does not allow this
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to bog down the narrative. If you've enjoyed Harris' books before you'll not be disappointed in Imperium. Highly recommended!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member dwhill
The depiction of Rome is vivid and the characters are drawn clearly. It's a great read.
It's disturbing, however, to learn that the same electoral shenanigans that are going on today were going on 2,000 years ago. Then, as now, there were constant attempts to limit the franchise. Then, as now,
It's disturbing, however, to learn that the same electoral shenanigans that are going on today were going on 2,000 years ago. Then, as now, there were constant attempts to limit the franchise. Then, as now,
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politicians used illusory crises to grab power and restrict civil liberties. Does nothing ever change? Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Christian Science Monitor Best Book (General Fiction — 2006)
Language
Original publication date
2006
Physical description
384 p.; 9.1 inches
ISBN
0091795427 / 9780091795429