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Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome Hardcover – Deckle Edge, September 19, 2006

by Robert Harris (Author)

8,938

Book 1 of 3: Ancient Rome Trilogy

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A tale inspired by the writings of Tiro, Marcus Cicero's confidential secretary, traces the life of the famous ancient Roman orator and philosopher from his beginnings as a radical young lawyer through his competitions with such figures as Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus in the political arena. 350,000 first printing.

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Book 1 of 3

Ancient Rome Trilogy
Print length

305 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

September 19, 2006
Dimensions

7 x 1 x 9.75 inches
ISBN-10

074326603X
ISBN-13

978-0743266031
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bestselling British author Harris (Pompeii; Enigma) returns to ancient Rome for this entertaining and enlightening novel of Marcus Cicero's rise to power. Narrated by a household slave named Tiro, who actually served as Cicero's "confidential secretary" for 36 years, this fictional biography follows the statesman and orator from his early career as an outsider—a "new man" from the provinces—to his election to the consulship, Rome's highest office, in 64 B.C. Loathed by the aristocrats, Cicero lived by his wits in a tireless quest for imperium—the ultimate power of life and death—and achieves "his life's ambition" after uncovering a plot by Marcus Crassus and Julius Caesar to rig the elections and seize control of the government. Harris's description of Rome's labyrinthine, and sometimes deadly, political scene is fascinating and instructive. The action is relentless, and readers will be disappointed when Harris leaves Cicero at the moment of his greatest triumph. Given Cicero's stormy consulship, his continuing opposition to Julius Caesar and his own assassination, readers can only hope a sequel is in the works. Until then, this serves as a superb first act. 350,000 announced first priting; 10-city author tour. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–The tumultuous history of Rome from 79 to 64 B.C. comes alive in this fictional biography of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the politician and superb orator who rose to the empire's highest office after starting as an outsider from the provinces. His first legal case drew him into a long battle with powerful Gaius Verres, the dangerously corrupt governor of Sicily. Cicero displayed his wit and talent for oration and strategy to triumph over Verres and other opponents in high-profile cases. Harris has written a fast-paced tale, the first part of a trilogy. He examines the full spectrum of Roman society, including its dark side of corruption, class divisions, betrayal, and cruelty. Cicero, who sought imperium, or ultimate power of the state, is portrayed as a sympathetic figure whose allegiance was to the idea of Republic. The author paints a vivid picture of everyday life, and the courtroom dramas are, at times, riveting. Readers will recognize other famous Romans who pop up in the story, including Julius Caesar and Pompey. They may also recognize the timelessness of the pursuit of power.–Susanne Bardelson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks Magazine

Quoting extensively from the extant works of Cicero, Robert Harris makes much of his most famous political battles (sometimes drawing awkward parallels to present-day events) and his search for a sufficiently wealthy and well-placed wife. Tiro is a good choice of narrator: in addition to his historical qualifications, he has reason to ask questions that help explain the plot. Except for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which expressed an utter lack of excitement over a slow plot, critics generally agreed that Imperium is a compelling portrayal of a man and a place 2,000 years gone, made relevant and interesting for modern-day readers.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

From Booklist

Harris, author of the best-selling Pompeii (2003), returns to ancient Rome in this historical tour de force. Tackling as his subject the brilliant orator and senator Marcus Cicero, Harris adopts the voice of Tiro, Cicero's faithful manservant and confidential secretary. Based on his real-life counterpart, Tiro, often credited as the inventor of shorthand and the author of a biography of Cicero tragically lost during the Middle Ages, narrates the story of his master's rise from relative obscurity to imperium, attainment of supreme power in the state. Thrusting himself upon the tumultuous Roman political scene at age 27, Cicero, an ambitious provincial lawyer, matches wits and wills with political and military heavyweights Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. The author paints a brilliant portrait of Roman senatorial intrigue and corruption, proving that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Harris spins a crackling good yarn, made all the more powerful by the fact that it is thoroughly grounded in history. A brilliant fictional biography of one of antiquity's most complex and triumphant characters. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Robert Harris is the author of Pompeii, Enigma, and Fatherland. He has been a television correspondent with the BBC and a newspaper columnist for the London Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph. His novels have sold more than ten million copies and been translated into thirty languages. He lives in Berkshire, England, with his wife and four children.

From The Washington Post

I sure could have used this book while taking third-year Latin. Robert Harris reminds readers that Marcus Tullius Cicero was more than just a writer of tormenting prose. He was also one of the Roman Republic's consummate politicians, a self-made lawyer who took daring chances and usually succeeded.

Running from 79 to 64 B.C., the story is narrated by Tiro, Cicero's slave and secretary, who is credited with inventing shorthand, living to age 100 and writing a life of his master, now lost. Imperium, the first volume of a planned trilogy, is an imaginary recreation of that missing work, and Tiro makes a useful narrator: He can ask about matters for which a slave (as well as the modern reader) needs background information even as he sits in on high-level strategy sessions.

The first of the book's two parts pits Cicero against Gaius Verres, a hoggishly corrupt governor of Sicily. Students of Latin will recall that the case inspired Cicero's Verrine orations, and that as a villain Verres comes in second only to the egregious Lucius Sergius Catilina, who himself appears in these pages, just prior to attempting the coup that Cicero exposed in his most brilliant series of speeches.

Harris, who has also written Fatherland, a thriller that reimagines German history, sets up formidable barriers between Cicero and a successful prosecution of Verres, especially time constraints (if the case doesn't finish soon, a new and hostile judge will take it over, and Verres's lawyer is a master of dilatory tactics). Then Harris shows Cicero using cunning and bravado to knock those barriers down.

Along the way, both author and protagonist evince a flair for politics that will remind many Washingtonians of what originally brought them here. "Politics? Boring?" Cicero rejoins to a jaded relative. "Politics is history on the wing! . . . You might as well say that life itself is boring!" The second part of the novel depicts Cicero making the moves that win him election to the republic's highest office, the consulship. Here again Harris's zest for political machinations serves the material well. Toward the end comes a walk-on by Publius Clodius Pulcher, the most beautiful man in Rome, who figures prominently in another splendid novel of antiquity, Thornton Wilder's The Ides of March. I can think of no better endorsement of Imperium than to mention those two books in the same breath.

Reviewed by Dennis Drabelle
Copyright 2006, The Washington Post. All Rights Reserved.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster (September 19, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 074326603X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0743266031
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 1 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #624,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,554 in Political Fiction (Books)
- #44,624 in Historical Fiction (Books)

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Robert Harris

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Robert Harris is the author of Pompeii, Enigma, and Fatherland. He has been a television correspondent with the BBC and a newspaper columnist for the London Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph. His novels have sold more than ten million copies and been translated into thirty languages. He lives in Berkshire, England, with his wife and four children.

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Charles E. Brown

Masterful Trilogy Brings Cicero to Life

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023

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Robert Harris, with his Cicero Trilogy - "Imperium," "Lustrum" (published as "Conspirata" in the US), and "Dictator" - has achieved something remarkable in historical fiction. These books do not merely recount the life of the legendary Roman statesman and orator, Marcus Tullius Cicero; they resurrect him, breathing into the annals of history a vibrant, palpable sense of immediacy and relevance.

"Imperium," the first in the series, is a tour de force that introduces us to Cicero at the onset of his political career. Harris's narrative, ingeniously framed through the eyes of Cicero's secretary Tiro, who historically is credited with inventing shorthand, allows readers an intimate glimpse into the political machinations of ancient Rome. The novel is a compelling blend of political intrigue, vivid characterization, and a meticulously researched historical backdrop. Harris's portrayal of Cicero is not just that of a political figure, but of a man driven by ambition, yet bound by moral integrity.

In "Lustrum" (or "Conspirata"), Harris elevates the stakes. Here, we see Cicero at the height of his power, but also at the precipice of his downfall. The novel delves into the darker corners of Roman politics, where conspiracy and ambition lead to a tumultuous and dangerous landscape. Harris's ability to create suspense is unparalleled, even though the outcome is a matter of historical record. The reader is transported into the heart of political battles and moral dilemmas, feeling each triumph and setback as if they were occurring in real time.

The trilogy concludes with "Dictator," a poignant and powerful finale. This book covers the last fifteen years of Cicero's life, a period marked by personal and political turmoil. Harris's portrayal of Cicero's last years is not just a recounting of events; it's a deep, introspective look at the ideals of democracy and the nature of power. The narrative is both epic and intimate, capturing the grandeur of Roman history and the personal tragedies of Cicero's life with equal effectiveness.

Throughout the trilogy, Harris's prose is a standout. It is elegant yet accessible, bringing the complexities of Roman politics and society to life in a way that is both educational and immensely entertaining. The level of detail in his descriptions of the Roman Senate, the Forum, and daily life in ancient Rome is astounding, providing a vivid backdrop against which the drama unfolds.

Moreover, Harris's Cicero is a brilliantly realized character - a man of great intellect and eloquence, yet filled with doubts and vulnerabilities. The supporting cast, from Julius Caesar to Pompey the Great, are equally well-drawn, each adding depth and color to the rich tapestry of the narrative.

In conclusion, Robert Harris's Cicero Trilogy is a monumental achievement in historical fiction. It offers not just a window into the past, but a mirror reflecting our own times. Through the life of Cicero, Harris explores themes of power, integrity, and the fragile nature of democracy, themes that resonate just as strongly today as they did over two thousand years ago. This series is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or simply a masterfully crafted story that transcends the ages. Harris has not only written a definitive account of Cicero's life but has also set a new standard in historical fiction.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2023

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Politics, gritty and well told of pre Caesar
Rome. I learned a lot and enjoyed it very much. Bob Harris can write well

Kindle Customer

Most excellent example of historical fiction

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018

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This is probably the most interesting book you will ever read that contains no action, no violence, no nothing except legal intrigue and courtroom drama. Plus it’s all [mostly, probably] true.

The story takes place in Rome more than six centuries after its founding, at a time when the ideas of patriotism, fairness, just politicians, and morality (such as it was then) are giving way to corruption, and the country is about to transition from a republic to an autocracy. The central character is Marcus Cicero, a man who rises from an obscure nobody to become Consul (the highest level of leadership in government), and becomes known as the greatest orator in history. Using only his voice and his astonishing talent for presentation, he begins his career by advocating in court for a man who lost everything to a corrupt Roman governor. After winning the case in grand style, he proceeds to astound commoners and senators alike with his remarkable powers of speech and his penchant for championing the underdog.

As the story progresses, Cicero rises through the ranks of leadership, gaining allies and friends, and making mortal enemies. Along the way he acquires the support of the great general Pompey, he gains the enmity of the slightly less great general Crassus, and he watches as a young Julius Caesar enters politics and begins his journey to become Rome’s first dictator. The book ends as Cicero wages a successful campaign to become Consul.

The story is told by Tiro, Cicero’s slave and personal assistant and confidant. It is written as if Tiro were reading from his own account of Cicero’s life. In fact, there was a Tiro who presumably did write a biography; unfortunately, that record has been lost to time. The whole book contains only one or two instances of physical violence, yet it captures your interest the same as the best thrillers; this is a testament not only to the unequaled ability of Cicero to produce an enormous quantity of captivating and persuasive speeches, but also to the author’s ability to turn politics and courtroom adventure into something that is highly readable. This is what you would expect if John Grisham or Greg Iles traveled back in time to document early Roman history.

The story is in truth history that has been turned into a readable novel. The major events actually happened, and anything not found in recorded history was written in such a way that it “could” have happened. According to the author, “nothing, I hope…demonstrably did not happen.”

This is the first book in a series of three, and it easily rates five stars. I look forward to reading the next two.

11 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024

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I was so captivated by Tiro and his bringing Cicero alive. Harris writes beautifully of characters, historical importance, and the special relationship between Cicero and Tiro.

I love learning about history

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023

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Robert Harris time travels again to another era backed by meticulous research and reinforced by splendid prose. I did not know who Marcus Tullius Cicero was, other than a guy who had his hands cut off in an HBO series. Now I have an understanding of the workings and disfunction of the Roman republic. I passed up on this title because I was more interested in Stuart England (Act of Oblivion) and World War iI (V2 and Enigma). I'm glad I made the plunge. Free of knowing how this story ends, I could enjoy the political drama wrapped in a new setting rich in detail. Read this book.

Excellent condition

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024

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Book is in great shape, almost new. Arrived promptly. Very happy with this purchase.

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Marcia

Ficção histórica

Reviewed in Brazil on January 27, 2023

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Interessante.

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James W. Derry

CICERO LIVES

Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2022

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This novel by Robert Harris about the political and legal life of Marcus Cicero, is astonishing. Historically accurate, the story of the rotting collapse of the Roman Republic is told by Cicero's personal secretary Tiro. Still regarded as the greatest of all orators, Cicero was ambitious to climb to the heights of Rome from his base as a famous defence lawyer.
From his villa on the Esquiline hill, he observed with great wit the cesspool below in the city. He took on a risky case against Verres, the corrupt former governor of Sicily on behalf of the island's citizens. Against all odds, he wins and this propels him to greater battles with the criminal patrician senators and generals.
This novel reads like a breeze, and if you are at all interested in Roman history, the details of life in centre of Rome before the Empire you are in for a treat. I kept thinking of how politics through the centuries has never changed, up to the present day and recent elections. Vote buying, self interest, fake news, vast wealth of the elite, deal making, corruption of established values; it just goes on.
Imperium is the first volume of a trilogy. I look forward to reading the next instalment, Lustrum.

One person found this helpful

Helen Musson

Brilliant!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2024

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Brilliant!

Eric Alvarez

Vibrant retelling of the beginning of the Republic's end

Reviewed in Spain on September 12, 2016

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Robert Harris presents a lively fresco that brings the classical Rome back to life, giving voice not just to the grandiose speeches of the Senate but also to the shrewd manoeuvres that happen between the scenes.

And mainly this book is the tale of an ambitious man as he chooses between principle and succes

JHS

Splendid

Reviewed in the Netherlands on December 7, 2014

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The conveyed athmosphere, rhythm and language of this fascinating historical thriller has few matches. The lack of violence is extremely refreshing, this is the first book which delivers page turning anxiousness which is based on speeches.

One person found this helpful

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