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Conspirata (Abridged): A Novel of Ancient Rome Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,551 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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"So good. Books like this always elicit in me a deep desire to do something with my life. It's a fascinating book that charts the nuances that led to the downfall of Rome, slowly and meticulously placing the signs underneath a gripping plot about Cicero's own life that I found hard to put down. He was brilliant, and there's nothing quite so good as a brilliant character. The characters come alive as you read and it's so easy to grasp the troubles he comes up against - the scandals, alliances forming in the shadows, affairs, betrayals - and understand his motives and get on his side. It's a great book, just as good as the first. You'll see the moral downfall of power in here, too, and a growing dislike of Cicero's stupidity and slowness as he ages, as well as the inevitable cycle of success. It's good. You should read it."
— Georgia (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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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…A tribute not only to the intrinsic fascination of these extraordinary events but also to the narrative skills of a master.”
— Observer (London) -
“A serious piece of storytelling, enormously enjoyable to read, with an insider’s political tone.”
— Times Literary Supplement (London) -
“Thrilling and thought-provoking.”
— Spectator (London) -
“Gripping…bestseller Harris proves once again that politics is an ugly game.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Intriguing…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.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
Conspirata Listener Reviews
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" Loved this book. Enjoy the way Harris writes and tells a story, serious and smart, does't write a lot of flowery bullshit. Makes me realize just how evil politicians can be and men, in general. Ironically, it reminded me of modern America, with it's Republicans and Democrats always manipulating and fighting. A book about money, greed, power, manipulation, conspiracy--hence the name. "
— Dyan, 2/16/2014 -
" Not as good as the first one but still pretty readable "
— Emmaj, 2/13/2014 -
" 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, 2/7/2014 -
" A fantastic, intense read. I enjoyed every page of it. I could not believe the portrayal of Julius Cesar. I could not believe in my own studies of ancient history, I have entirely overlooked Cicero. A book which will change forever your perception of Roman leadership. I never thought I'd be so engaged in the Republic's philosophy and so appalled by the dictatorship. Now I have the urge to read more ancient history and understand how the author interpreted the documents and where he drew inspiration for such a vivid, humane account of the past. "
— Mar, 2/1/2014 -
" This is one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. His political observations about Cicero and Caesar are relevant to our political times. "
— Diane, 1/23/2014 -
" Robert Harris' tales of Cicero as narrated by the Roman's loyal slave Tiro makes for incredible reading. While the first volume imbues Cicero with a more noble mantle, this second installment takes us into a more human realm where politics does not wholly corrupt Cicero, but does -- indeed -- lead him to less than noble decisions which he (like many politicians before and after) believes are for what he labels the greater good. Compromise may be good for the masses, but it often takes a heavy toll on the individual soul. "
— Dolphe, 1/23/2014 -
" Loved it. Brings Roman history to life. Left me wanting to know more about what happens next to Cicero. "
— Joanne, 1/19/2014 -
" 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, 12/11/2013 -
" Beleef het oude Rome "
— Gon, 11/4/2013 -
" I really like Robert Harris and will read about anything he writes. It's a great, thinking man's return to Rome. "
— Thomas, 10/10/2013 -
" Well written, but not as enjoyable as "Imperium". Cicero becomes a less likeable person, so I didn't feel as invested in what happened to him. "
— Jack, 8/27/2013 -
" Just about as good as the last, and though it ends with Cicero in a tough spot, I could not but admire him more. "
— Daniel, 3/26/2013 -
" Harris's novel of the struggle between Cicero and Julius Caesar. I realize afresh how fragile the Republic was and how many conspirators struggled for power. Caesar wasn't a shoo-in. "
— Trina, 3/1/2013 -
" After Caesar's Gallic Wars at school, this was a completely different aspect of the politics of Ancient Rome. It really was a brutal world. Very interesting. "
— Teryl, 1/18/2013 -
" Excellent....as ever "
— Andrew, 7/24/2012 -
" 2nd in a trilogy about Cicero's rise and fall from power. Well written. "
— Mckayd229, 5/23/2012 -
" read the second before the first...but great as usual "
— Douglas, 5/7/2012 -
" 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, 1/24/2012 -
" 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 Oliver Ford Davies
Oliver Ford Davies has, over the last forty years, become one of the world’s most esteemed actors. He spent twelve years with the Royal Shakespeare Company and won the Olivier Award for Best Actor while at the National Theatre. His television work includes Kavanagh QC, Inspector Morse, David Copperfield, and Sparkling Cyanide; his films include The Mother, Johnny English, Mrs. Brown, and Atonement.