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Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome Audiobook
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(3.01) - 6,171 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From the bestselling author of Fatherland and Pompeii, comes the first novel of a trilogy about the struggle for power in ancient Rome.
In his “most accomplished work to date” (Los Angeles Times), master of historical fiction Robert Harris lures readers back in time to the compelling life of Roman Senator Marcus Cicero. The re-creation of a vanished biography written by his household slave and righthand man, Tiro, Imperium follows Cicero’s extraordinary struggle to attain supreme power in Rome.
On a cold November morning, Tiro opens the door to find a terrified, bedraggled stranger begging for help. Once a Sicilian aristocrat, the man was robbed by the corrupt Roman governor, Verres, who is now trying to convict him under false pretenses and sentence him to a violent death. The man claims that only the great senator Marcus Cicero, one of Rome’s most ambitious lawyers and spellbinding orators, can bring him justice in a crooked society manipulated by the villainous governor. But for Cicero, it is a chance to prove himself worthy of absolute power. What follows is one of the most gripping courtroom dramas in history, and the beginning of a quest for political glory by a man who fought his way to the top using only his voice—defeating the most daunting figures in Roman history.
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"Really terrific Roman historical fiction from the POV of Tiro, the real-life secretary and slave of Cicero at the Republic. Full of interesting historical research without being weighed down by the information. I was surprised that it did not deal with his death, only with his early political career and then his campaign for consul, but still a great book."
— Marsha (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Meticulous, absorbing, and informative.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“An entertainingly vivid picture of one of history’s most fascinating elected officials.”
— USA Today -
“Harris’ zest for political machinations serves the material well.”
— Washington Post -
“Mesmerizing…With sometimes haunting verisimilitude, Robert Harris skillfully recreates Tiro’s lost masterpiece about his master, evoking the full sweep of Rome’s treacherous political scene…A timeless tale told with elegance and a telling sense of detail.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Imperium Listener Reviews
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chris kuebler, 10/8/2020
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" A really good read. Interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. "
— Julia, 2/18/2014 -
" The book is a great account of the life of Marcus Cicero as told by his servant Tiro. Cicero was the only man every to have risen to rank of Imperator without family connections, wealth or an army at his back. A fascinating read that has a surprising amount of parallels with the current political situation in the US. "
— Marcus, 2/13/2014 -
" This is an historical novel based upon the career of the great Roman orator, Cicero, as recounted by his slave. It is non-challenging comfort reading with just enough historical detail to keep it interesting. Even I, a non-expert on Roman history, recognize many anachronisms in the text, but it did help me get through a nasty cold and so I'm grateful to the author. Books don't have to be great to be enjoyable. "
— Matthew, 2/10/2014 -
" Such a sick book. Really well written imho and true to history without a dull moment. Plus I got brownie points with my Latin teacher ^_^ "
— Lucii, 2/6/2014 -
" Tedious. Not particullarly believable, or enlightening. Pales in comparison to Pompei. "
— John, 1/26/2014 -
" Loved it. I couldn't have found a more perfect accompaniment to Latin 100/101, in which we translated the prose of Cicero. (I imagine it would be very entertaining even if you haven't ever taken Latin - fantastic book.) "
— Rishi, 1/16/2014 -
" A real page-turner, this novel is about the rise to power of the Roman orator Marcus Cicero. Who would have thought that a portrayal of all-consuming ambition within Roman politics could be so gripping? It also gives a fascinating insight into Roman life and their world assumptions. Loved it! "
— Sylvia, 1/10/2014 -
" I didn't finish this one, not sure if it ended up not what I was in the mood for or if it just didn't grab me enough. "
— Robbah, 12/29/2013 -
" If you like books about ancient Rome you will like this. I got a clear understanding of Roman government structure, too. I loved the character of Tiro, and Cicero's character development is fun to read. "
— Joant, 12/20/2013 -
" Great story, well written. What a great way to learn about the last years of the Roman Republic and such a great historic figure as Cicero. I loved this book. "
— Shaun, 12/19/2013 -
" Not my cup of tea because I've never had an interest in ancient Rome. "
— Lisa, 12/11/2013 -
" This one just wasn't as engaging as Pompeii. "
— Chrissy, 12/3/2013 -
" Very interesting.Got me hooked to it till the last page.Cicero character simply rocks!For all folks who are interested in history fiction, don't miss out on this. "
— Rishita, 11/5/2013 -
" I simply loved this book. But as a Classics minor that is rather low in the surprise category. "
— Josh, 10/29/2013 -
" Sticks closely to Cicero's biography. Wonderful details. Super interesting. "
— Elise, 4/6/2013 -
" a very vivid tale "
— Itzehoe, 3/10/2013 -
" Not bad for popular historical fiction. 3 stars and I'll finish the series b/c I love Cicero. Harris is above average as a genre fiction writer, but he's not spectacular. "
— Rob, 1/31/2013 -
" Good kind of courtroom drama and political strategizing in the Roman republic. "
— David, 1/19/2013 -
" if u want to become a good politician with a good strategy, read 'diz book.. "
— Bulqiss, 12/19/2012 -
" read in 2008. Too much Roman history--not nearly as good as Pompeii. "
— LDuchess, 12/1/2011 -
" Well written book on a favorite subject of mine - Cicero "
— William, 10/7/2011 -
" A fun read if you have an interest in ancient Rome; probably not worth it if you don't. "
— Lisa, 9/7/2011 -
" Excellent historical fiction about my favorite Roman. Very readable and well researched. "
— Aaron, 9/5/2011 -
" Great stuff. Part I is very well done. As an aspiring writer I wish I could pull off dialog and plotting as well as Harris does. And the historical backstory? Wow, what a great achievement. Whole heartedly recommend this. "
— Alvin, 8/3/2011 -
" 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 the Narrators
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.
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.