Harris, Robert: *1957

Imperium, 2006 - Information About the Book

General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Articles

If you’re short on time, the following resources offer valuable insights into the novel and provide a foundation for exploring its central themes. Read/watch them in the order given:

Resource	Time	Focus on
Putting the past together	8–10 min	Historical fiction, evidence vs. invention, and Harris’s use of Roman history.
Why I write political fiction	7–10 min	Harris’s own explanation of the novel’s political themes and motivation.
Page turners	5–7 min	A concise, historically grounded assessment of the novel and its Roman political setting.
Drawing Parallels Between Ancient Rome and the U.S. Today	7–8 min	Harris’s interpretation of Cicero, Rome, and parallels with modern politics.
Official publisher page	3–5 min	Basic plot, characters, publication information, and authoritative bibliographical details.

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Ambition
  Rhetoric
  Fragility of Republican Government
- The novel is a fictional biography of Cicero, told through the first-person narrator of his secretary Tiro. See Summary.
- Information from the official publisher page (Good for basic bibliographical information, plot, characters, publication history and links to related topics)
- Information from Wikipedia (Good for basic bibliographical information, plot, characters, publication history and links to related topics)
- Robert Harris’s inspiration for writing Imperium.
  
  Harris’s background as a political journalist and his close observation of modern politics, particularly his experiences with figures like Tony Blair, influenced his exploration of power in ancient Rome through the story of Cicero. Harris sought to vividly depict how power is won, wielded, and maintained, making the novel not just a historical account but also a reflection on timeless political strategies and human ambition.
Facts
- Imperium is the first installment in a planned trilogy detailing the exploits of Cicero. The second volume, Lustrum (Conspirata for U.S. audiences), was published in October 2009. The third volume, Dictator, was published in 2015.
- Awards: Though Imperium itself did not win major literary awards, it was a critical success that contributed to Harris's reputation as a master of the historical novel genre.
- Topics
  
  Rise to Power
  The novel chronicles Cicero's ambitious journey from a young lawyer to becoming the first "new man" (someone not from the aristocratic class) to be elected Roman consul, the highest elected office. It depicts his development of oratory skills, building strategic alliances with the elite, and his prosecution of the corrupt governor Gaius Verres which brought him fame.
  
  Politics and Corruption
  A central theme is the harsh realities of Roman politics - the bargaining, deals, and corruption rampant among the ruling class. Cicero navigates this murky world, making compromises and alliances to achieve his ambitions while maintaining a veneer of virtue.
  
  Historical Figures
  The novel features many prominent historical figures like Pompey, Crassus, Caesar, Cato, and the young Mark Antony. Their characterizations and political maneuverings with Cicero are vividly portrayed.
  
  Narration Style
  The story is narrated by Cicero's enslaved secretary and personal secretary Tiro, providing an intimate first-hand account of Cicero's public and private life.
  
  In essence, Imperium offers a fictionalized but well-researched glimpse into the tumultuous world of Roman republican politics through the lens of Cicero's meteoric rise.
- General Perception
  
  Many reviewers appreciated Harris's meticulous research and attention to historical detail. The novel was praised for bringing ancient Rome to life with vivid descriptions and an authentic sense of place and time.
  Some readers felt the political maneuvers and courtroom drama were particularly compelling. Yet some critics felt that the novel occasionally relied too heavily on historical exposition, which could slow down the narrative. Additionally, a few readers found the political intricacies complex and challenging to follow.
  
  Overall, Imperium was well-received for its engaging storytelling, rich historical context, and the compelling portrayal of one of Rome's greatest figures. It appealed to both fans of historical fiction and readers with an interest in ancient Roman history.
- Reader Rating:
Author
- Audio (7:17)
  Drawing Parallels Between Ancient Rome and the U.S. Today. Robert Harris speaks with Steve Inskeep about how the history of Rome is reflected in our modern-day world. Harris sees parallels between the time of Rome's transition from republican to imperial rule and the challenges the U.S. faces now. (Harris's own interpretation of the novel and his comparison between the Roman Republic and modern politics) NPR Radio; November 22, 2006
  Transcript
- Podcast
  Talk with Robert Harris and an audience about the first of his bestselling Roman trilogy, Imperium. (Directly addresses the novel)
- Why I write political fiction: "Harris explicitly explains the three impulses behind Imperium: moving away from modern political fiction, reconstructing Roman political processes, and exploring political themes that he sees as recurring across historical periods." The Guardian; October 9, 2015
- Robert Harris talks about the book. (Valuable for his motivation and interpretation) SwissEduc; Host: Hans Fischer. Berne, Switzerland; October 10, 2006
- Robert Harris talks about his motivation for writing the Cicero trilogy.
- Robert Harris on Cicero and ancient Rome
- Robert Harris on power and populism
Commentary
- Robert Harris’s Imperium is a powerful historical novel that chronicles the rise of Cicero, one of Rome’s greatest orators, through the lens of his secretary, Tiro. The book masterfully blends political intrigue with personal drama, showcasing Cicero’s ambition, wit, and moral struggles as he navigates the complex and corrupt Roman Republic. Harris employs a narrative style that immerses readers in Roman politics while maintaining accessibility through modern political analogies and engaging prose.
  While praised for its vivid depiction of Cicero’s legal and rhetorical brilliance, some critics note the oversimplification of certain dynamics, such as Tiro’s position as an enslaved narrator. This omission is seen as a missed opportunity to explore deeper human conflicts. Nevertheless, Imperium succeeds as both a legal thriller and a historical drama, offering a richly detailed portrayal of Cicero’s ascent amid the Republic’s decline.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Putting the past together: "The review provides a solid and reasonably clear explanation of how Imperium uses Roman historical material and its narrative approach." (Valuable for discussing historical fiction vs. historical evidence) The Guardian ; September 2, 2006
- Collection of reviews (Reviews from multiple publications, including The Guardian, New York Times Book Review, Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post, etc)
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- Page turners: Imperium: "The article gives a clear, historically grounded and engaging summary of Imperium, highlighting its vivid Roman political intrigue and strong narrative through Tiro’s perspective." (Contemporary review and an independent assessment of the historical/political aspects) Erik Spanberg. The Christian Science Monitor; October 6, 2006