Imperium by Robert Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was eager to read this historical non-fiction novel about ancient Rome, a book vastly different from the type I usually pick up. Tiro, Cicero's slave and personal secretary developed his own type of stenography which enabled him to quickly record most of Cicero's speeches and important conversations. What one discovers is how enlightened this ancient orator was. He not only was a dedicated, honest and brilliant lawyer either in defense or prosecution; but also an astute politician able to look ahead and anticipate the actions of his opponents leading him all the way to his highest office of consul. Possibly his most famous trial at least in this novel, was his prosecution of the Sicilian governor Verres. This was a ruthless and greedy despot who stole vast amounts of gold and artwork to amass his fortune in Rome. Any Sicilian who got in his way was either crucified or sent to the stone quarries from which no one returned. Cicero, along with his cousins and Tiro went to Sicily to gather as much testimony as possible while Verres was trying to buy off the jury of senators. Cicero's opening speech at trial dramatically called upon the senators' integrity while also parading countless witnesses to testify against Verres and his cruelty. Lucky for Cicero and the novel's readers that Tiro recorded these events and excellent oratories so that one may learn of a great Roman. In discussion with our book club everyone remarked how similar both the law and politics operate today compared with ancient Rome.

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