This is my second novel by Robert Harris. It, unlike the first, has caught my inner ear with its clean, clear writing and much appreciated voice of Cicero's male secretary, Marcus Tiro. Tiro, as he is called, reminds me of other well-liked seconds to main characters in books. He's smart, funny, knows his place, and seems all-knowing. He makes for a great traveling companion for readers of this book.
Tiro delivers the story in a style that stacks connecting layer upon connecting layer, so you are well informed of the background story to events being presented. And though you are made aware of Tiro's character (strengths, weaknesses), the focus always swings back to our main character of the story, the brilliant young lawyer and senator, Cicero.
Early in the novel I found a most interesting oratory Cicero presented to the tribunal court of Rome. The speech cleverly criticizes and calls out corrupt practices of governing officials in the senate. Cicero's purpose for the oration is two-fold; to defend his Sicilian client against false accusations made by a thieving and corrupt governor, and to show public support for restoring the tribunes to power under Pompey. The tribunes represent the people, but power now lays in the hands of the rich aristocrats.
Pompey has planned a return to Rome from Spain with his conquering army. Upon his return he will be given consulship of Rome. Lollius Pelicanus, a conspiring tribunate candidate, has offered Cicero a part in their plan to restore the tribunes to power under Pompey's consulship. Cicero has accepted and gives a powerful speech to the consulate in defense of his client and support for a political cleansing of the tribunate.
Many reviewers who enjoyed the book point out how its political intrigues mirror today's American political theatre. Perhaps Democrats should take a page from this historical fiction novel and put an end to Republicans' shameless abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
Cicero's oratory comparison of fish-heads to aristocratic-heads, and his suggestion for severing such a head 'swollen with the poison of corruption and bloated with pride and arrogance,' is ovation-worthy.
Hopefully, as seems to be the case in Imperium, the wait is almost over. The time is due for a leader(s) to come, rise up, wrestle power from corrupt politicians/government officials, and restore power to the citizens of the United States. The days of oath bound, elected officials ignoring constitutional law, while plotting and putting their own interests ahead of those of the American people, are hopefully coming to a close. Children are dying. It's time for a change. A purge. An overhaul!
Imperium by Robert Harris
first published by Hutchinson in 2006
Cicero's speech to the 10 tribunes on the bench
pg. 61
'There is an old saying, gentlemen, among the merchants in the Macellum, that a fish rots from the head down, and if there is something rotten in Rome today - and who can doubt that there is? - I tell you plainly that it has started in the head. It has started at the top. It has started in the senate.'
Loud cheers and stamping of feet.
'And there is only one thing to do with a stinking, rotten fish-head, those merchants will tell you, and that is to cut it off - cut it off and throw it out?'
Renewed cheers.
'But it will need quite a knife to sever this head, for it is an aristocratic head, and we all know what they are like!'
Laughter.
'It is a head swollen with the poison of corruption and bloated with pride and arrogance. And it will need a strong hand to wield that knife, and it will need a steady nerve besides, because they have necks of brass, these aristocrats, I tell you: brass necks, all of them!'
Laughter.
'But that man will come. He is not far away. Your powers will be restored, I promise you, however hard the struggle.'
A few brighter sparks started shouting out Pompey's name. Cicero held up his hand, three fingers outstretched.
'To you now falls the great test of being worthy of this fight. Show courage, gentlemen. Make a start today. Strike a blow against tyranny. Free my client. And then free Rome!'
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