Conspirata

December 21, 2009
In this gripping second installment to his ancient Rome trilogy (after Imperium
), bestseller Harris proves once again that politics is an ugly game. Beginning in 63 B.C.E. and told by Cicero's slave secretary, Tiro, this complex tale continues to chronicle Cicero's political career as he charms, co-opts, and bribes his way into the exalted position of consul, ruler of Rome. Although Cicero is known as a brilliant politician and philosopher, he was also a slick manipulator and shameless schemer, competing with equally sneaky rivals Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Cicero realizes that as the empire expands, the greatest threat to Rome comes from within, plotted by well-financed conspirators bent on turning the republic into a dictatorship. With fabulous oratory and trickery, Cicero uncovers and crushes an insurrection, exposing himself to great danger and possible assassination. Riots, murder, civil unrest, corruption, treachery, and betrayal mark Cicero's political legacy, resulting in a battle between him and Julius Caesar. Throughout, however, Tiro remains loyal and remarkably astute, recognizing that it is “an act of madness for a man to pursue power when he could be sitting in the sunshine reading a book.”

February 15, 2010
In this sequel to "Imperium", Cicero has been elevated to a one-year position of Consul, the highest elected political office during Rome's republican period. Told from the point of view of Tiro, Cicero's slave and secretary, this novel is the story of that year. The backdrop is Rome 63 B.C.E., a time of political and social unrest, war and conquest at the far reaches of the empire, and corruption, bribery, and treachery. Though politically powerful, Cicero is portrayed as essentially an isolated and lonely man: "but in all the crowds I cannot find one person with whom I can exchange an unguarded joke or let out a private sigh." VERDICT Harris has written a meticulously researched historical novel that is far from being a dry recitation of mere dates and events. His exploration of the brilliant mind and sometimes dubious motives of Cicero, arguably one of history's greatest orators, historians, and statesmen, is absolutely riveting. Readers who enjoy the complexities of Steven Saylor's historical Roman mysteries and the historical detail of Colleen McCullough's "Master of Rome" series will want to make room on their shelves for Harris's latest. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 10/15/09.]Jane Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK

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