Imperium by Robert Harris

This is my second novel by Robert Harris. Unlike the first, it has caught my inner ear with clean, clear writing and the much-appreciated voice of Cicero's male secretary, Marcus Tiro. Tiro, as he is called, reminds me of other well-liked seconds to main characters in books. He's smart, funny, knows his place, and seems all-knowing. He makes for a great traveling companion for readers of this book.

Tiro delivers the story in a style that stacks connecting layer upon connecting layer, so you are well informed of the background story to events being presented. And though you are made aware of Tiro's character (strengths, weaknesses), the focus always swings back to our main character of the story, the brilliant young lawyer and senator, Cicero.

Early in the novel I found a most interesting oratory Cicero presented to the tribunal court of Rome. The speech cleverly criticizes and calls out corrupt practices of governing officials in the senate. Cicero's purpose for the oration is two-fold; to defend his Sicilian client against false accusations made by a thieving and corrupt governor, and to show public support for restoring the tribunes to power under Pompey. The tribunes represent the people, but power now lays in the hands of the rich aristocrats. 

Pompey has planned a return to Rome from Spain with his conquering army. Upon his return he will be given consulship of Rome. Lollius Pelicanus, a conspiring tribunate candidate, has offered Cicero a part in their plan to restore the tribunes to power under Pompey's consulship. Cicero has accepted and gives a powerful speech to the consulate in defense of his client and support for a political cleansing of the tribunate.

Many reviewers who enjoyed the book point out how its political intrigues mirror today's American political theatre. Perhaps Democrats should take a page from this historical fiction novel and put an end to Republicans' shameless abuse of power and obstruction of justice. 

Imperium

By Robert Harris

 

After finishing this saga of power and politics, I assign it a 4.25 out of 5 points. As with all sagas, it dragged just a bit midway through after a seemingly first climax (Pompey). But I must say, the author didn’t waste much time in picking up the pace and introducing new characters and conspiracies to follow.

Yes, I enjoyed the real historical characters along with the not so historical. Mr. Harris has a way with creating interesting dialogue between two or more characters. As I said about the book earlier, hearing a story told by a second to the main character is always enjoyable. The second gives us an inside look at all that surrounds the main character, while keeping his own narrating self just on the cusp of the story, enough so that he can alternately take over and sit back as the story dictates. So, you know Tiro is there walking you through, but you are never left to rely solely on his guidance, direction or explanation. 

The story gives you a talking, breathing, living Cicero, and yet Tiro as his second (secretary), would be greatly missed if he were not its navigator.

I would welcome reading the other books in this trilogy. The writing and plot setups, along with descriptions of what power is and what it does, were extraordinary. Felt like I was reading classic literature at times, maybe because of the true history of Rome included. Where fact and fiction meet in Imperium are very hard to decipher for readers like myself, who are not scholars in Roman political history. Though a bit dry on action in the second half of the book, the political intrigue remained constant and provided much to ponder and compare with today’s political environment.

 

Bravo Mr. Harris. Imperium passes the test. I enjoyed time spent with the characters and political intrigues of this book.

 

Wp (June 27, 2022)