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Conspirata: A Novel of Ancient Rome Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,553 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Conspirata is “a portrait of ancient politics as a blood sport,” raves The New York Times. As he did with Imperium, Robert Harris again turns Roman history into a gripping thriller as Cicero faces a new power struggle in a world filled with treachery, violence, and vengeance.
On the eve of Cicero’s inauguration as consul of Rome, a grisly discovery sends fear rippling through a city already racked by unrest. A young slave boy has been felled by a hammer, his throat slit and his organs removed, apparently as a human sacrifice. For Cicero, the ill omens of this hideous murder only increase his dangerous situation: elected leader by the people but despised by the heads of the two rival political camps. Caught in a shell game that leaves him forever putting out fires only to have them ignite elsewhere, Cicero plays for the future of the republic…and his life. There is a plot to assassinate him, abetted by a rising young star of the Roman senate named Gaius Julius Caesar—and it will take all the embattled consul’s wit, strength, and force of will to stop the plot and keep Rome from becoming a dictatorship.
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"This is the second Robert Harris book featuring a fictionalized biograph of Cicero. It is entertainingly told and it follows the historical record closely. Cicero's arc is dramatic. Though talent and tenacity, he climbs to the heights of society and the political world in the late Roman republic, only to watch that republic fall apart. We see his virtues and his vices through the eyes of his faithful secretary Tiro, and we also see the remarkable cast of political power players who were Cicero's contemporaries - Pompey, Cato and of course Julius Caesar. I look forward to the next book in the series. It appears that this books was published under both the titles Lustrum and Conspirata."
— Adrian (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A serious piece of storytelling, enormously enjoyable to read, with an insider’s political tone.”
— Times Literary Supplement (London) -
Republican Rome, with all its grandeur and corruption, has rarely been made as vivid.
— Nick Rennison, The Sunday Times (London) -
“Republican Rome, with all its grandeur and corruption, has rarely been made as vivid.”
— Sunday Times (London) -
“For all its political insights, though, it is as a pure thriller that Conspirata stands or falls. In that respect, it succeeds splendidly…tribute not only to the intrinsic fascination of these extraordinary events but also to the narrative skills of a master.”
— Observer (London) -
“Thrilling and thought provoking.”
— Spectator
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Conspirata Listener Reviews
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" Wonderful historical novel of Cicero rising to power; the intrigue and violence of politics in ancient Rome makes our calm little democracy seem very tame. Cicero and Caesar are mighty adversaries and awaiting the outcome of their epic struggle keeps the reader spellbound even when the result is known. "
— Mom, 2/11/2014 -
" Although this book gets off to a slower start than its predecessor, Imperium, Harris ratchets up the tension as Cicero's term of office as Consul gets under way. It also charts the rise of Julius Caesar with a sense of chilling foreboding. Harris's background as a political journalist lends a sense of relevance and reality to events even though they took place so long ago. Looking forward to the publication of the third book in the series. "
— Hilary, 2/1/2014 -
" Part 2 of the Circero story. This ones gives us the insight as to why Cicero opposed the so called people's laws. His fundamental driver was on retaining the republic of Rome. This is his fight against Caeser's accumulation of power and the fall of the republic. The lack of the extra star is frustration that I have to wait and see whether the last part of Cicero's life is going to be written by Mr Harris. In the mean time I'll be doing some more reading of Cicero's speeches! "
— Adrienne, 1/26/2014 -
" A well told story about limits and strengths and about success and failures. Cicero is always the butt of many an ancient historian's joke and this book does its best to present a sympathetic portrayal. "
— Ben, 1/19/2014 -
" Not- as one of the quotes inside the cover suggests- better than I Claudius, not by a long way. Also, not as much of a page turner as Harris' first Cicero book but still enjoyable. "
— Tom, 1/12/2014 -
" kereeeeeeeeeeennnnn.... "
— Pipit, 1/9/2014 -
" An enjoyable novel of "ancient Rome," as it says, which makes all the political maneuvering and backstabbing actually interesting to read. "
— Donald, 12/20/2013 -
" I'm a big fan of Robert Harris. Loved his Imperium which is the first book in a trilogy. Lustrum is the second. Telling the story of the gifted orator, Cicero. Looking forward to the third volume. "
— Carol, 12/10/2013 -
" 2nd of a to-be trilogy. Highly recommended. "
— John, 12/5/2013 -
" Can't wait for the third and final part of the trilogy...Get that stylus out Tiro! "
— Mike, 11/5/2013 -
" I love Harris' books and this was not a disappointment. Cicero is a schemer, but ultimately he seeks to serve the republic. The tale of how other men use populism to vault themselves into supreme power is a cautionary one for our day. "
— Phillip, 10/18/2013 -
" Second in the Cicero series. As good as the first one. These famous Roman figures jump off the page. I cannot wait for the conclusion! "
— Ross, 2/28/2013 -
" Took a while to get into but really enjoyed it in the end and interested in the history of the period. Good series! "
— Merrilyn, 8/4/2012 -
" A very good novel about the Catilinarian conspiracy. I read the English version titled Conspirata but cannot find it here. "
— William, 7/20/2012 -
" Thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait for the final book of this trilogy to be published. "
— Linda, 4/19/2012 -
" read the second before the first...but great as usual "
— Douglas, 1/17/2012 -
" This makes interesting reading when paired with the relevant parts of Colleen McCullough's Caesar's Women, where Caesar is the hero. Here he is a villain. "
— Susanna, 10/25/2011 -
" Part 2 of the Cicero trilogy delivers even more intrigue and suspense than the first. Outstanding. "
— Steve, 10/11/2011 -
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sophia, 10/9/2011
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" Engaging 2nd volume in Robert Harris' trilogy on Cicero, although I didn't find it as compelling as the 1st volume (Imperium). "
— Stephanie, 7/4/2011 -
" one of the best history novels i ever read. "
— Pavlin, 5/16/2011 -
" The best political thriller I've read. One of the most insightful books ever. "
— Jk1982, 4/29/2011 -
" Meh. I love Cicero. I adore Roman history. But this book was not even as good as Lustrum (Imperium) and even that was meh. I'm not sure I will have the energy to finish the trilogy when the final book comes out this year. "
— Rob, 4/3/2011 -
" I love reading Robert Harris but for some reason struggled in parts with this one. "
— David, 2/26/2011 -
" set in the period that sees the rise to power of Julius Ceaser. Interesting but from this side of history some of the decisions made don't seem to make sense. "
— Patricrk, 2/20/2011 -
" Sequel to Imperium - the rise and decline of Cicero - a must read "
— Quinn, 2/16/2011 -
" The sequel to Imperium, Cicero peaks and declines. Political intrigue in Roman. You can't fail to be impressed and feel sorry for Cicero "
— Claire, 1/31/2011 -
" Harris brings Cicero alive! Although I know what happens, I can hardly wait to read the third and final novel of this trilogy! "
— Linda, 1/15/2011 -
" It was really intersting to continue to read the history of Cicero narrated by Robert Harris. Through the storyline you can also discover the intense and writhed politic net during the Roman Age, which brought the Great Julio Cesar to the power. "
— Angelo, 1/10/2011 -
" The beginning of the end for the Roman Republic and for Cicero "
— David, 1/7/2011 -
" Good, tells the story of the Roman Republic we all know from the perspective of Cicero's secretary slave. Does a good job of blending fact and fiction. "
— Mark, 1/5/2011 -
" I've enjoyed many of Robert Harris' books, but couldn't get into this one. Too bad. I got bogged down somewhere toward the middle and never surfaced again. "
— F.S., 12/30/2010 -
" Very much enjoyed this book. You really get a feel for the abject poverty of the plebes and the debauchery & intrigue of the wildly wealthy. "
— Lauren, 12/20/2010 -
" Continues the story of Cicero and the downfall of the Republic. Excellent book once again, if a little less 'Latin' than Imperium. "
— Rishi, 12/6/2010
About Robert Harris
Robert Harris is the author of twelve novels, many of which have reached the New York Times bestseller list. Several of his books have been adapted to film, including The Ghost Writer. He has been a television correspondent with the BBC and a newspaper columnist for the London Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. His novels have sold more than ten million copies and been translated into thirty languages.
About Simon Jones
Simon Jones is an English actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. Besides winning many AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration, he has won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, including for top prize of Audiobook of the Year. He was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine and as “Narrator of the Year” in 2005 by Publishers Weekly. As an actor, he has been featured in numerous Broadway productions and has appeared in the films The Devil’s Own, Twelve Monkeys, For Love or Money, Green Card, Brazil, Monty Python’s Meaning of Life, and Miracle on 34th Street remake. His television appearances include a role in The Cosby Mysteries and Murder She Wrote. He studied at Cambridge University and the legendary Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Club.