Conspirata

✍ Scribed by Harris, Robert

• Publisher: Pocket
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: Italian
• Weight: 263 KB
• Series: Ciceron 2
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

From Publishers Weekly

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. (Feb.)
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From Booklist

Harris provides the second installment in the intriguing life story of one of ancient Rome’s most complex historical figures. Picking up where he left off at the conclusion of Imperium (2006), Tiro, Cicero’s faithful manservant and confidential secretary, continues to narrate the experiences and the exploits of his master. Cicero, at the top of his political game in 63 BC, is elected consul of Rome. In an epic power struggle for influence and control, he matches wits with political and military heavyweights Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Just at this heady juncture in Cicero’s public tenure, the body of an eviscerated child is pulled from the Tiber River. This gruesome discovery sets into motion a series of dramatic events that will have a profound impact upon Cicero’s personal future and the fate of the entire Roman Empire. Once again, Harris reinvigorates history, breathing new life into a cast of timeworn historical characters and events. After devouring the middle course of this trilogy, historical fiction fans will still be hungry for more. --Margaret Flanagan