Harris, Robert: *1957

Imperium, 2006 - Chapter Summaries

The chapters are grouped into manageable sections.
Chapters 1–3
Tiro, Cicero’s long-serving secretary, begins his account by explaining Cicero’s early ambitions and his determination to become a powerful Roman statesman despite coming from a provincial family rather than the traditional aristocracy. Cicero travels to Rhodes to improve his weak voice and speaking abilities under the rhetorician Apollonius Molon, who predicts that he will one day conquer Rome through his oratory. After returning to Rome, Cicero marries the wealthy Terentia partly to satisfy the property requirements for political office and begins building his career. His encounter with the corrupt governor Verres and the suffering of the Sicilian Sthenius gives Cicero an opportunity to establish himself as an opponent of corruption. Cicero uses the case to form an alliance with the tribune Palicanus and supports the restoration of tribunician powers, successfully protecting Sthenius from Verres.
Chapters 4–6
Cicero becomes increasingly involved in the struggle between Pompey and Crassus, two enormously powerful generals competing for political influence. He supports Pompey while carefully avoiding becoming completely dependent on him, and he begins to see the consulship as his ultimate political goal. Cicero decides to prosecute Verres, knowing that the case will allow him to challenge Hortensius, Rome’s most famous advocate, and increase his own reputation. He travels to Sicily to investigate Verres’s crimes and gathers evidence of extortion, theft, judicial corruption, and murder. Although Cicero presents himself as a defender of justice, Tiro increasingly notices that Cicero is also using the prosecution as a means of acquiring political power.
Chapters 7–9
Cicero travels throughout Sicily and personally investigates Verres’s abuses, collecting documents and testimony from his victims. He discovers evidence that Verres stole property, manipulated the courts, accepted bribes, and ordered the execution of Roman citizens. When Verres’s allies attempt to delay the trial, Cicero changes his strategy and avoids giving the traditional lengthy opening speech, instead presenting witnesses one after another. His approach prevents Hortensius from delaying the proceedings until Verres’s political allies can take control of the court. Verres eventually flees Rome, but Cicero accepts a much smaller settlement than the Sicilians deserve after Pompey intervenes. Cicero nevertheless gains the political status he wanted, taking Verres’s former praetorian position.
Chapter 10
After several years, Cicero’s political career has advanced considerably, and his successful aedileship gives him greater popularity among the Roman people. However, his defense of Marcus Fonteius reveals a significant change in his moral outlook because he knowingly defends a Roman governor accused of abusing the Gauls. Cicero uses prejudice against the Gauls and emotional courtroom techniques to win the case even though Fonteius is guilty. On the same day, Lucius dies, apparently by suicide, and Cicero’s father also dies shortly afterward. Tiro hopes to leave Rome and start a family, but Cicero refuses to release him because he considers Tiro essential to his political career.
Chapters 11–12
Pompey proposes an enormous military command that would give one individual unprecedented authority over the Mediterranean. Cicero initially recognizes the danger of concentrating so much power in one person, but instead of opposing the proposal, he helps design and promote it. Caesar also appears at the political discussions and begins demonstrating his own ability to manipulate events. Cicero helps Pompey secure the command by using rhetoric, political bargaining, and an obscure precedent involving the removal of a tribune’s veto. The law passes, and Pompey receives extraordinary powers to defeat the pirates. The episode demonstrates how Roman politicians increasingly abandon constitutional traditions whenever doing so produces an immediate political advantage.
Chapter 13
Cicero is elected praetor after topping the poll, strengthening his position as he prepares to pursue the consulship. He supports Pompey’s new military command by delivering an important speech, further alienating some conservative senators. Meanwhile, Pompey defeats the pirates with remarkable speed, increasing his popularity and power. Cicero presides over the trial of Caius Licinius Macer, which intensifies Crassus’s hostility toward him. At the same time, Cicero becomes increasingly concerned about Catiline, a dangerous and ambitious politician who could become his rival for the consulship.
Chapter 14
Cicero decides to remain in Rome rather than accept a provincial governorship so that he can concentrate on winning the consulship. He successfully defends Caius Cornelius against powerful aristocratic opponents and strengthens his reputation. Catiline becomes a serious threat because he is now able to compete for the consulship, while the young Clodius attempts to prosecute him for extortion. Cicero briefly considers defending Catiline because either victory or defeat could benefit his own political position. However, he discovers that the trial has been deliberately fixed, and he refuses to participate in what he considers a completely fraudulent proceeding.
Chapter 15
Catiline is acquitted in his corrupt trial and becomes an even greater threat to Cicero. Cicero responds by conducting an unusually extensive campaign throughout northern Italy, attempting to win support from newly enfranchised citizens. When he returns to Rome, his friend Atticus informs him that Catiline and Antonius Hybrida are working together and that Crassus may be secretly financing a large network of candidates. Cicero realizes that the election is not simply a contest between individual candidates but part of a much larger struggle over who will control the Roman government.
Chapter 16
Cicero sends his agents to investigate the widespread buying of votes and discovers that virtually every corruptible vote has already been purchased. He introduces an anti-bribery law designed partly to expose Crassus’s influence, but the measure is blocked by a tribune. Cicero then personally confronts a vote-broker, who confirms that Crassus is financing a massive operation to control the elections. When Cicero still lacks definitive evidence, Caelius suggests secretly recording a meeting at Crassus’s house. Tiro agrees to participate in the dangerous plan after Cicero promises him freedom.
Chapter 17
Caelius secretly places Tiro inside Crassus’s house, where Tiro records a meeting between Crassus, Caesar, Catiline, Hybrida, and their allies. The notes reveal a much larger political conspiracy involving bribery, land reform, and the creation of an extraordinarily powerful commission controlled by Crassus and Caesar. Cicero realizes that the proposed reforms could allow a small group of politicians to dominate Rome permanently. He uses the information to prepare his famous In Toga Candida speech, publicly attacking Catiline and Hybrida without initially naming the powerful figure behind them. Catiline reacts violently, demonstrating how dangerous the political conflict has become.
Chapter 18
Cicero is secretly summoned to meet the leading aristocrats, who verify Tiro’s record of the conspiracy and negotiate with Cicero over their support. By morning, Cicero has agreed to oppose the proposed land reform and support military triumphs for several aristocratic leaders in exchange for their electoral backing. The aristocracy then publicly supports Cicero, causing its network of influence to swing the election decisively in his favor. Cicero wins the consulship unanimously, while Catiline is defeated and politically ruined. Although Cicero celebrates his victory, Quintus warns that the political compromises he has made will leave him without important allies among either the aristocracy or the popular faction.