Imperium (Cicero, #1)

Jun 24, 2011 Stephen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, historical-fiction, audiobook, 2006-2010

3.0 stars. This book did exactly what I expected it to do. It was a both a solid, enjoyable read and at the same time an unremarkable story that will be forgotten as quickly as my ~~self respect~~ inhibitions on Tequila. To put it in the shell's nut, this was good entertainment but likely won't earn a hallowed place among your list of favorites.

I did appreciate that this book lent itself extremely well to audio because the story is VERY easy to follow and the narrative is not jammed with dense exp...more

3.0 stars. This book did exactly what I expected it to do. It was a both a solid, enjoyable read and at the same time an unremarkable story that will be forgotten as quickly as my ~~self respect~~ inhibitions on Tequila. To put it in the shell's nut, this was good entertainment but likely won't earn a hallowed place among your list of favorites.

I did appreciate that this book lent itself extremely well to audio because the story is VERY easy to follow and the narrative is not jammed with dense exposition that would require careful reading. Thus, I was able to listen and stay engaged in the story while organizing my library on goodreads and keeping tabs on the basketball and hockey games on TV (with the volume on mute). Plus, as a bonus, with my headphones in, my hands were free to hold my beer...it was your classic win-win, though somebody should flog me for using that expression.

This is the first book in a trilogy set in ancient Rome during the time of the First Triumvirate (i.e., Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus). By the way, I could have just said ancient Rome but Triumvirate is such a tasty word that I thought it needed some air time. Anyway, the story is a fictional biography centering on the legendary orator, Cicero, as told by his private secretary, Tiro. Tiro, we are told, invented the concept of shorthand which provides a credible basis for him to be able to transcribe everything that he sees and hears as he follows Cicero around. I found this to be a pretty effective plot device for showing the supposed "accuracy" of the narrative.

In this first book, we meet a young Cicero at the beginning of his career. Cicero is a junior Senator in the Roman Senate who has already garnered somewhat of a reputation as a brilliant speaker. As a result, he is sought out by a Sicilian merchant who has been robbed, libeled and threatened with death by the corrupt Roman governor of Sicily named Verres.

After much begging, cajoling and persuading, the merchant eventually secures Cicero’s agreement to represent him in prosecuting the powerful governor. From that fateful decision, we follow Cicero as he makes allies and enemies and skillfully maneuvers his way through the quagmire (giggity, giggity)

of Roman politics and with each success gains stature and prominence within the Roman hierarchy.

I thought the descriptions of Rome and the background of Roman life, while expectedly sparse, were still interesting and kept my attention. The book is certainly not a mechanism for one to obtain a detailed, historical account of life in ancient Rome, but since I didn't expect it to be I was not disappointed. There was enough detail to place the narrative and provide general background for the story which is all the story called for.

Overall, a good, solid read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is book that I think you will enjoy. If you are a scholar of ancient Rome and looking for insight and exposition on the details of ancient Rome, this is not where you will find them. For me, I found it a light, pleasant story and was never bored. I also found the characters and the narrative compelling enough that I will likely continue on with the series to see what happens next.

Hope this helps.
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Mar 11, 2013 Kalliope rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-english, historical-fiction, classical

Historical fiction writers are cursed. They are not Robert Graves.

Nonetheless, this is an entertaining attempt with a provoking figure as the main focus to visit Ancient Republican Rome. The book deals with the fascinating life of the political animal and great thinker, Marcus Tullius Cicero.

This novel is the first in a Trilogy. The second has a different title for the English Lustrum and American editions Conspirata. The third one has not been published yet. I have so far read only this first...more

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Jun 19, 2008 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical fiction enthusiasts

Well, I just finished listening to "Imperium" by Robert Harris. Once more, Harris delves into the inner workings of the Roman Empire only this time, he retreats back to the Republican era and creates a fictional biography of Marcus Tullius Cicero as seen through the eyes of his slave secreatary, Tiro.

Since I was originally seduced into my passion for learning about the Roman Empire by Colleen McCullough and her "Masters of Rome" series of novels, I naturally began this investigation of the life...more

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Jul 10, 2011 will rated it 5 of 5 stars

[The following review was written three years ago, when I read the book the first time. I expected to change my opinion of the book, and at least take one star off my rating. However, it is a good book, and was not damaged by a second reading. Therefore, I'll let the review and the rating stand.]

Before I start I must say that I enjoy Robert Harris books. I picked up Fatherland in one of those "buy three books get the fourth free" promotions. I had no intention of getting it but you know how it i...more [The following review was written three years ago, when I read the book the first time. I expected to change my opinion of the book, and at least take one star off my rating. However, it is a good book, and was not damaged by a second reading. Therefore, I'll let the review and the rating stand.]

Before I start I must say that I enjoy Robert Harris books. I picked up Fatherland in one of those "buy three books get the fourth free" promotions. I had no intention of getting it but you know how it is, you can never find the right amount of books on the promotion table, so I picked it up. I was hooked. I then read Archangel and loved it. Since then I've managed to read through all his other books and haven't been disappointed. Thus it was that, when I read on neil h.'s blog, there was a new Harris book out I immediately added it to my mental "to buy" list. However, that was six (?) months ago and somehow I failed to get - mainly because of the cost, it was only available in hardback and when the choice comes down to buying one hardback or two paperbacks the latter always wins. Imagine my disappointment when I arrived in Borders with money to spend to discover that they didn't have a copy of it - it was immense. We left Borders with a box of books and I mentioned that I had picked up the new Roddy Doyle book - that was a sequel to a previous book he had written. Maria left me to put the books in the car and immediately went back into the shop to by "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors". I put the books in the car, lit a cigarette and hung around outside the shop waiting for her to re-emerge. As I stood waiting my eyes travelled across the bargain bins outside Borders and there, waving at me, was a copy of Imperium. I was sorted!

Recently we have watched the excellent Rome - both series - and we loved it. Here is a book that fleshes out some of the story. It is basically a telling of Cicero's life, his rise through the political machinations, starting as a simple senator until arriving at the point of Consul (or Imperium). Robert Harris manages to tell a fascinating story full of intrigue. I like history and one of the reasons I like the subject so much is that it is possible to see parallels in the modern day. Is Cicero a Tony Blair? Full of promises and offers of salvation to the common people who eventually sells out to the old order - does the "new man" end up becoming the type of man who he despised? Is it possible to seek power and still remain "honest"? Honest to your beliefs and just honest?

I really enjoyed the book. It is one of those books that you put down and wish that the author is now working on a sequel. Oh, I know what happened to Julius Caesar but I want him to tell me how he thinks it all went on. Considering that Mr. Harris's last book before this was Pompeii, I can but hope that he is stuck in that era (except that having checked Amazon it appears he already has a new book out - and it is set in the present day. Bum!) (less)

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Mar 02, 2010 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, reading-through-history

Harris has done something really smart here: if he'd published a three-volume biography of Cicero, no one would have read it. (Well, I wouldn't have.) So instead it's a trilogy of historical novels, which sounds way more fun. But it comes down to nearly the same thing, right? This is a very detailed, carefully researched work about Cicero.

It's told first-person by Tiro, Cicero's scribe, who's a real guy who wrote a real biography of Cicero (now lost). It's a clever gambit by Harris; it allows hi...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Dean Lombardo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Call it a prequel to Robert Harris' "Pompeii," if you like, "Imperium" follows the brilliant career of Roman senator, advocate and philosopher, Marcus Cicero as he outdazzles his political rivals in a decades-long display of words and wit, without having to resort to the threats and violence that his enemies do. The tale is narrated by Tiro, Cicero's scribe, who appparently really did exist, though his scrolls were lost. "Imperium" tries to recapture the content of those lost scrolls through Har...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Darmaila Wati rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel-sejarah

Membaca buku ini seakan kita memasuki Gerbang pemerintahan Roma kuno dengan tokoh utama Marcus Tullius Cicero lewat tangan terampil sekertaris kepercayaannya Tiro dan dituturkan lagi dalam bentuk sebuah novel oleh Robert Harris.

Dalam novel ini Tiro sang budak yang bekerja pada ayah Cicero dan akhirnya dipinjam oleh Ciciro dan tak dikembalikan lagi hingga akhir hayatnya, lewat catatannya menceritakan kisah perjalanan Cicero dari awal perjuangannya untuk mencapai impian hingga akhirnya Sang Orator...more Membaca buku ini seakan kita memasuki Gerbang pemerintahan Roma kuno dengan tokoh utama Marcus Tullius Cicero lewat tangan terampil sekertaris kepercayaannya Tiro dan dituturkan lagi dalam bentuk sebuah novel oleh Robert Harris.

Dalam novel ini Tiro sang budak yang bekerja pada ayah Cicero dan akhirnya dipinjam oleh Ciciro dan tak dikembalikan lagi hingga akhir hayatnya, lewat catatannya menceritakan kisah perjalanan Cicero dari awal perjuangannya untuk mencapai impian hingga akhirnya Sang Orator brilian mampu menggenggam kursi Senator yang menjadi idaman para politikus pada zaman itu.

Yang paling menarik menurutku adalah perjuangan keras Sang Ciciro dalam meraih mimpinya.Diceritakan bahwa sang Orator besar ini pada awalnya hanyalah anak mudah penyakitan yang memiliki mimpi 'memeluk gunung'. Untuk membuat mimpi itu menjadi kenyataanlah Cicero untuk beberapa saat memutuskan untuk belajar di berbagai wilayah di luar Roma pada saat usianya 27 tahun dan Tiro sang budak setia menemani dan melayaninya.Tak tanggung-tanggun berbagai tempat Cicero datangi. Dari Atena untuk belajar Filsafat, ke Stratonikeia untuk belajar Retorika " Maestro Menari", hingga menyeberangi selat Laut Carpathus menuju Rhodus untuk belajar Retorika dengan Molon sang maestro.

Karena kegigihannya Cicero yang bukan dari kalangan aristokrat melainkan kelas menengah berhasil menjadi pengacara handal di Roma. Kecerdasannnya dan kefasihannya beretorika membawanya kepada jenjang karir yang mapan meskipun tidak bisa dipungkiri awal dia bisa menduduki kursi senat dia harus menikahi Terentia seorang gadis dari kalangan aristokrat yang memiliki uang untuk dipinjamnya agar dia memenuhi syarat menduduki kursi senat.

Meski bisa dibilang Cicero akhirnya benar-benar menduduki kursi senat tetapi bisa dibilang dia bekerja tidak kenal lelah karena pada masa itu pemerintahan politik di Roma sangat keras, penuh konspirasi, money polic dan korupsi. Di dalam novel, Cicero diceritakan sebagai tokoh protogonist. Meski sang Tiro tetap menorehkan tinta kejujurannya dengan menceritakan apa adanya situasi Cicero yang pada saat itu tidak bisa terlepas dari intrik politik.

Yang paling seru pada novel ini adalah bagaimana Cicero dibantu oleh adiknya Quintus, sepupunya Lucius dan yang pasti juga Tiro ketika menumpas kejahatan Veres yang merupakan penguasa kejam mantan Gubernus Sicilia, koruptor dan pembantai. Namu karena kekayaannya Veres bisa menyuap para pejabat di senat dan memihak kepadanya. Karena kegigihan Cicero dan kecemerlangan otaknya itu Veres dikalahkan lewat pengadilan yang dituntut oleh para korbannya yang diacarai oleh Cicero dan segala intrik dan kebobrokan tidak hanya pada Veres tetapi pemerintahan saat itu berhasil dibongkar dan rakyat pun mendukung Cicero sang " pahlwan".(less)

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Nov 02, 2010 Ed rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Roman History Fans

Shelves: historical-fiction, in-inventory-portland, reviewed

Part One of an intended trilogy, this is a fictional biography of Marcus Tullius Cicero, as told by his personal secretary and slave Tiro. Tiro did actually write a biography of Cicero but it was lost during the Middle Ages.

It begins when Cicero is twenty-seven and is determined to attain Imperium, the highest office in the Roman Republic, that of Consul. It ends some twenty years later with a surprising election. In between there is suspense and danger as Cicero works his political magic to ac...more

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Dec 30, 2007 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I loved this book. Harris has written a novel that combines a good political potboiler with solid historical fiction, based on real events in the life of the famous Roman senator and consul Cicero.

Narrated by Cicero's slave and scribe, Tiro, who invented an early elaborate version of shorthand so he could take down speeches and debates as they occurred, the novel joins Cicero as a young man, and then takes us through his landmark prosecution of Verres, a corrupt governor of Sicily (and you wonde...more

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Nov 28, 2007 Nick rated it 3 of 5 stars

An entertaining book chronicalling the rise of Cicero, the greatest lawyer and politician the Roman Republic ever saw. Detailing both his political and advocacy triumphs and tribulations it exposes the flawed Roman political system with its bribery and corruption, but also its shining example of democracy in a troubled world which was to be lost with the rise of the empire only a few decades after the book finishes.

Told through the eyes of Cicero's secretary and slave Tiro it is an interesting r...more

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Nov 26, 2007 Ollie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: lovers of History

A reviewer called this novel "Labour in Togas" because of the many parallels one can draw between Tony Blair's ascent and Cicero's career. Both men stood against the "aristocracy" and represented the common people; both men had to change the laws of their governments because of "terrorists"; and both men eventually found themselves shaking hands with their enemies in order to maintain their power. Imperium is a historical novel that builds its thrills much like a John Grisham courtroom thriller....more

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Sep 02, 2007 Dick Freed rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun, engaging and quick read for a Latin teacher on the beach, with broader appeal too. There's good reason he's a bestseller. Imperium tells two episodes from the life of famous Roman lawyer & orator Cicero from the eyes of his personal scribe, Tiro. First, the lawsuit that gave him fame, his successful prosecution of the corrupt Verres, who extorted millions while governor of Sicily. Second, the back-room dealings and political drama leading up to Cicero's election as consul in...more

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Jul 19, 2007 DJ rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those interested in history, politics, or Rome

Shelves: fiction

A vivid story of political jockeying in ancient Rome. Funny at points and as historically accurate as a fiction novel could be.

I was expecting a literary version of the HBO series 'Rome', focusing on Caesar, Marc Anthony, Brutus, and the other famous major players of Roman politics, but in Harris' novel, Cicero and his scribe take center stage, with the heavy hitters of Roman history playing minor parts. This method actually worked great because it allowed the story to focus more on the behind-t...more

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Feb 01, 2009 Deirdre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cicero, Rome's best known orator and wiley politician, earned his reputation for public speaking by taking on the most unwanted court cases and winning them. For a man without the benefit of an aristocratic background or the glory of military victories to smooth his path, he rose to the pinnacle of Roman Republican power on his intellect, his sharp wit, and his able tongue.

Many of the character's names are familiar to even the most casual reader of history: Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, Mark...more

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Jan 07, 2009 LeAnn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Historical fiction buffs

Imperium is told from the viewpoint of Cicero's slave Tiro, his secretary and the inventor of shorthand. Cicero rightly comes across as the would-be savior of the Roman Republic, passionate, brilliant, and committed, a New Man (i.e., not a patrician, but one who has made himself through hard work and learning). It's not a page turner, which I'm sure Mr. Harris is known for, but it is still interesting reading and I came away believing that Cicero was an ideal politician: moral and committed to s...more

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Nov 29, 2008 Surgana rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: my son, my friend

Recommended to Surgana by: my god

Seperti masuk dalam belantara sejarah yang rumit tapi asyik. Saya tak berhenti membaca novel ini hingga selesai. Saya jadi sangat mengagumi Cicero, dengan kata-kata ia bisa menjadi seorang Consul...
Membaca novel ini, mengikuti tuturan Tiro, saya tenggelam dalam hiruk pikuk politik Roma jaman dahulu kala. Ada banyak kecerdasan yang tercurah dalam novel ini, ada selaksa kenangan yang tak bisa dilupakan dari novel ini.
Saya masih ingat adegan betapa sulitnya Cicero melawan para penguasa yang lebih...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Greg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, politics

From http://weeksnotice.blogspot.com/2012/...

Robert Harris' Imperium is a historical novel focused on Cicero. It doesn't have a plot per se; instead, it follows Cicero's rise to prominence as a lawyer and ultimately consul. One point Harris seems to be trying to make is that politics doesn't change much. It was hard not to see, for example, some of George W. Bush in Pompey, as he used war as an excuse to seize greater executive power.

Toward the end of the novel these historical parallels reach a...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Boby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: it-is-worth

Sangat jarang ada buku yang saya baca dua kali. Ada beberapa buku yang saya pernah saya baca, lalau saya baca lagi di bagian-bagian yang menurut saya sangat menarik. Buku ini adalah salah satu perkecualian. Saya membaca dua kali, dari awal sampai akhir. Saya punya alasan-alasan sendiri untuk sangat menyukainya.

Pertama, sangat menyenangkan membaca seseorang yang punya keterbatasan, dan berusaha melawan kekurangannya menjadi "label" yang membuatnya dikenali oleh orang banyak. Cicero punya kelemaha...more Sangat jarang ada buku yang saya baca dua kali. Ada beberapa buku yang saya pernah saya baca, lalau saya baca lagi di bagian-bagian yang menurut saya sangat menarik. Buku ini adalah salah satu perkecualian. Saya membaca dua kali, dari awal sampai akhir. Saya punya alasan-alasan sendiri untuk sangat menyukainya.

Pertama, sangat menyenangkan membaca seseorang yang punya keterbatasan, dan berusaha melawan kekurangannya menjadi "label" yang membuatnya dikenali oleh orang banyak. Cicero punya kelemahan gagap. Awalnya dia sangat lemah. Dia melatih dirinya seperti adegan "Rocky Balboa" akan melakukan pertandingan perebutan gelar.

Kedua, sangat menyenangkan membaca langkah seseorang yang terkenal dimulai dari bawah. Mulai dari dia diremehkan sampai akhirnya dia menjadi luar biasa.

Ketiga, jika anda berkata bahwa politik kotor , politik uang, atau skandal hanya terjadi di masa modern in, maka anda salah. Buku ini memberikan betapa mudahnya kekuasaaan rusak oleh uang. Bagaimana pemilihan dewan perwakilan rakyat di masa konsul Roma, benar-benar bertabur skandal penyuapan dan pembelian suara. Bagian ini menurut saya adalah bagian terbaik dari intrik -intrik buku ini. Saya berbinar-binar membayangkan jika kejadian tersebut di ganti menjadi Indonesia di masa sekarang. Ada seseorang seperti Cicero yang bertarung dengan kejujurannya melawan semua lawan politiknya yang bergelimang harta untuk menjadi RI1. Dahsyat!

Keempat, Ini bukan hanya politik, tapi pembaca bisa membayangkan model pengadilan di masa romawi "jadul". Begitu juga adegan mata-mata, dan penyusupan berbahaya ke daerah musuh yang begitu rapi disusun Robert Harris. Sial! Aku berharap punya otaknya setengah saja :( apalagi kabarnya Robert Harris menulis di bagian pengantar, bahwa kejadian tersebut bisa terjadi karena dia riset berdasarkan dokumen sejarah yang tersedia.

Kelima, meski ini banyak bicara soal Cicero, tapi rasanya sangat perlu menyebut Tulio di sini. Sering sekali orang mengatakan di balik pria yang hebat, ada wanita yang hebat & pembantu yang hebat. aku membayangkan jika Cicero menulis buku di masa modern, maka dia pasti menulis, Sahabatku Tulio, meski Tulio adalah budaknya sendiri. Sedikit informasi kecil bagaimana kemungkinan seorang budak bernama Tulio menciptakan symbol-symbol huruf latin awal, menambah nilai buku ini.

Pada akhirnya, buku ini memang panjang tapi sepadan.

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Apr 22, 2012 Brian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Imperium is the first of two novels based on the life of Roman orator and politician Cicero. Told from the perspective of Tiro, Cicero's secretary and reading like a contemporary thriller, it starts with the case that made Cicero's name: the prosecution of Verres, the corrupt governor of Sicily, and follows the subsequent political tight-rope walk that finally leads him to become the youngest ever Roman Consul.

Harris paints Cicero as an immensely talented, utterly driven outsider who is forced t...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Сергей Бережной rated it 4 of 5 stars

Роман охватывает жизнь Цицерона до избрания консулом и написан от лица Тиро – раба и секретаря Цицерона, изобретателя системы стенографической записи. Персонаж сей действительно существовал и действительно написал многотомное жизнеописание Цицерона – к сожалению, утраченное ещё в древности и известное ныне только по ссылкам на него других античных историков.

У Роберта Харриса я прежде читал только «Фатерланд» (в переводе на русский), который не то чтобы разочаровал, но показался высушенным и наро...more Роман охватывает жизнь Цицерона до избрания консулом и написан от лица Тиро – раба и секретаря Цицерона, изобретателя системы стенографической записи. Персонаж сей действительно существовал и действительно написал многотомное жизнеописание Цицерона – к сожалению, утраченное ещё в древности и известное ныне только по ссылкам на него других античных историков.

У Роберта Харриса я прежде читал только «Фатерланд» (в переводе на русский), который не то чтобы разочаровал, но показался высушенным и нарочитым, слишком рассудочным, с тщательно сделанными, но вполне схематичными персонажами. «Imperium» в оригинале пошёл у меня гораздо лучше. Харрис не стал с годами более «художественным» автором, зато отлично научился скрывать свои слабости и акцентировать писательские достоинства. Например, роман очень украшает повествование от лица персонажа, который постоянно находится «на передовой» сюжета, но практически никогда не «под огнём». С одной стороны, в центре внимания постоянно находится Цицерон, с другой – он показан несколько сбоку, с точки зрения близкого и доверенного, но всё же совершенно другого человека. То же самое касается показа политической жизни Рима, взаимоотношения Цицерона с которой являются самой принципиальной частью романа.

Римская Республика первой половины I века до нашей эры изображена в полном соответствии с репликой Цицерона – это величие, безнадёжно утопающее в грязи. Постоянно звучащая риторика о величии демократии, политической принципиальности и верховенстве закона сочетается здесь с чудовищной коррупцией, крайним цинизмом и откровенным манипулированием судебной властью. Цицерон практически сразу оказывается в ситуации, когда должен выбирать: или он политический идеалист (и тогда он фактически бессилен), или он политик-практик (и добивается практических результатов ценой компромиссов, на которые идеалист бы никогда не пошёл). Некоторое время он пытается балансировать на грани, не делая решительного выбора, но очень скоро выясняет, что в этом случае его просто цинично используют – и враги, и те, кого он считал своими соратниками. Эпизод, когда будущий великий оратор осознаёт, что в римской политической кухне он не повар, и даже не поварёнок, а второсортная баранья лопатка в котелке, написан с изумительной выразительностью. История написана: честолюбие и практичный склад ума выводят Цицерона на единственный приемлемый для действующего политика путь: это сложная многоплановая игра, задачей которой является личный выигрыш при условии балансировки множества сторонних интересов.

Харрис аккуратно увязывает документированную историю Рима с вымышленным им сюжетом. Писателя крайне трудно упрекнуть в отступлении от исторической правды (хотя он и позволяет себе несколько совершенно лишних анахронизмов вроде появившихся значительно позже новых названий месяцев). С другой стороны, множество сюжетных интриг определенно додуманы, но сделано всё тщательно, без бросающихся в глаза логических проколов – и с чётким следованием авторской задаче.

А главной задачей Харриса было отыгрывание параллелей Римской истории и истории современной. И здесь у него всё получается просто великолепно. Когда читатель втыкается в описание последствий катастрофической для Рима атаки пиратов на Остию, воспоминание об атаке на Всемирный Торговый Центр впрыгивает в голову само собой – и прямые последствия этих двух событий оказываются изумительно аналогичны.

При этом регулярно возникающие ассоциации с событиями современной истории России выглядят куда более обоснованными – но это, конечно, произошло помимо воли британского автора, для которого нынешняя Россия почти неизбежно является диковатой политической провинцией. Но я-то, живущий в России, не могу не ужасаться тому, как точно некоторые события романа ложатся на бытие нашего Отечества. Особенно это относится к должностной коррупции, которая была в Риме ничуть не менее обыденной, чем то, что мы наблюдаем здесь и сейчас.

Позволю себе тихо надеяться, что Харрис не забросит тему и задуманную трилогию допишет. Задел получился мощный.(less)

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Jan 22, 2012 Dieleserin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Imperium beschreibt das Leben des Marcus Tullius Cicero – einen der bedeutensten Redner der Antike, der als Politiker, Anwalt, Philosoph und Schriftsteller tätig war. Die Geschichte wird von Ciceros langjährigen Sekretär Tiro erzählt und beginnt mit dessen Eintritt in Ciceros Leben. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt gibt der aufstrebende Anwalt und Politiker ein klägliches Bild ab – er hat eine hagere Figur, eine schwache Stimme und stottert zu allem Überfluss. Zusammen mit Tiro begibt er sich auf eine Studie...more Imperium beschreibt das Leben des Marcus Tullius Cicero – einen der bedeutensten Redner der Antike, der als Politiker, Anwalt, Philosoph und Schriftsteller tätig war. Die Geschichte wird von Ciceros langjährigen Sekretär Tiro erzählt und beginnt mit dessen Eintritt in Ciceros Leben. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt gibt der aufstrebende Anwalt und Politiker ein klägliches Bild ab – er hat eine hagere Figur, eine schwache Stimme und stottert zu allem Überfluss. Zusammen mit Tiro begibt er sich auf eine Studienreise und lernt neben der Philosophie auch die richtigen Techniken für das Halten einer Rede kennen. Sein Lehrmeister stärkt Ciceros Körper und Stimme. Und so kehrt er mit seiner zukünftig wichtigsten Waffe zurück nach Rom – seiner Redekunst. Durch die Hochzeit mit der wohlhabenden Terentia ebnet sich Cicero schließlich den Weg für seine politische Laufbahn. Es beginnt ein Leben zwischen Macht, Intrigen und Korruption.

Dieses Buch ist eine wunderbare Illustration der römischen Antike und der politischen Machtgefüge. Durch das Leben von Cicero bekommt der Leser einen guten Einblick in die damalige Zeit. Gerade die Beleuchtung der politischen Verhältnisse ist interessant. Damals wie heute – es scheint sich nichts geändert zu haben. Die Mehrheit schlägt sich auf die Seite der Reichen bzw. Einflussreichen. Durch Intrigen und Korruption versuchen sich die politischen Lager gegeneinander auszuspielen. Cicero steht immer wieder zwischen den Lagern und muss sich ein ums andere mal entscheiden, auf welche Seite er sich schlägt.

Durch die Erzählung durch Tiro wirkt die Geschichte weniger trocken. Immer wieder arbeitet er kleine Spitzen und Geheimnisse in die Handlung ein. So erwischt er zum Beispiel Caesar dabei, wie er die Frau eines bekannten Staatsmannes verführt. Wir erfahren auch mehr über die von Tiro entwickelte Kurzschrift, die es ihm erlaubte komplette Reden und Gerichtsverhandlungen mitzuschreiben. Überhaupt ist das Buch sehr reichhaltig, was die historischen Fakten angeht. Vor beginn eines jeden Abschnitts findet man ein Orginalzitat aus Ciceros Korrespondenzen.

Etwas verwirrend waren für mich die vielen Namen, die im Verlauf der Handlung auftauchen. Mehrere Male verwechselte ich Personen, einfach weil sie den gleichen oder ähnliche Namen hatten. Außerdem fügt der Autor immer wieder lateinische Begriffe ein, mit denen ich leider nichts anfangen konnte. Ein Glossar am Ende des Buches wäre wünschenswert gewesen.

Fazit:
Imperium von Robert Harris ist ein guter Historischer Roman, der das Leben des großen Marcus Tullius Cicero und das Römische Reich lebendig werden lässt. Liebhaber Historischer Romane und der Antike werden an diesem Buch sicher ihre Freude haben.(less)

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Sep 28, 2011 Paula rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imperium (I volume da trilogia) de Robert Harris, conta-nos a vida de Cícero até ser eleito cônsul – o seu grande objectivo.
A sua história, é contada através do narrador – Tirão, seu escravo e secretário, que o acompanhou em todas as etapas da sua ascensão.
Cícero, filho de famílias humildes, sem um nome que lhe garantisse o sucesso e sem carreira militar, haveria de atingir o seu objectivo através da palavra, da oratória que detinha quase sem limites. Apesar de estar sempre ciente do lado da ver...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Fabio marked it as to-read

Dopo il riuscitissimo "Pompeii" Harris torna nel mondo dell'antica Roma.

Il libro gira intorno alla vita di Cicerone fino alla sua elezione al consolato (per la seconda parte ho appena cominciato "conspiratia").

Libro scritto con lo stile della narrazione indiretta del segretario Tirone, che si sa abbia scritto una biografia di Cicerone che purtroppo è andata perduta.

La prima parte un po' lenta, ma poi prende molto ritmo e vitalità, girando intorno agli intrighi politici di una Roma di fine Repub...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Stewart rated it 4 of 5 stars

Marcus Tullius Cicero is a great name among the ancient Romans, and anyone who took Latin in school probably read his speeches, essays, or letters. This historical novel of 2006 traces the life of this Roman orator, philosopher, translator, and statesman from 80 B.C. to his election as consul in 63 B.C. at the age of 43. British author Robert Harris published the second book of this Cicero trilogy, "Lustrum," in 2009.
The story is told by Tiro, a slave who was what would now be called the perso...more Marcus Tullius Cicero is a great name among the ancient Romans, and anyone who took Latin in school probably read his speeches, essays, or letters. This historical novel of 2006 traces the life of this Roman orator, philosopher, translator, and statesman from 80 B.C. to his election as consul in 63 B.C. at the age of 43. British author Robert Harris published the second book of this Cicero trilogy, "Lustrum," in 2009.
The story is told by Tiro, a slave who was what would now be called the personal assistant of Cicero. Tiro is reputed to have written a biography of Cicero but the work has not survived and also is credited with inventing the shorthand method of taking notes.
The highlights of the book are Cicero's successful prosecution of Gaius Verres for his amazing corruption and maladministration of Sicily when he was governor and the political intrigue of Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar that almost killed Cicero's chances of becoming consul.
The cast of characters in this 2006 novel will be familiar to those who watched the HBO series "Rome": Cicero, Brutus, Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Cato the Younger among them. The book shows the volatile political and military situation in Rome and Italy between the civil war of Sulla and Marius and the assassination of Caesar in 44 B.C.
Months ago, I read Harris' "Pompeii" about the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii. I enjoyed that book and enjoyed this one as well. Harris has deeply researched this era and brings its home life and political life, events, and characters to life. There are many memorable quotations from Cicero's writings, but among his best is what he wrote about history. I wish it would be read by those myopic Americans who have no interest in anything that happened before they were born: "To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?"
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Sep 03, 2010 Faith Justice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: given-away

Imperium is the first in a trilogy of novels about the life and times of Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of Republican Rome's most famous orators and politicians. The book is narrated by Tiro, Cicero's slave and secretary, many years after Cicero's death. Tiro existed and is thought to have lived to be a hundred years old. He was famous for creating a short hand that he used for taking notes and later was adopted by the Senate. There is considerable evidence he wrote a biography of his former master,...more
Imperium is the first in a trilogy of novels about the life and times of Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of Republican Rome's most famous orators and politicians. The book is narrated by Tiro, Cicero's slave and secretary, many years after Cicero's death. Tiro existed and is thought to have lived to be a hundred years old. He was famous for creating a short hand that he used for taking notes and later was adopted by the Senate. There is considerable evidence he wrote a biography of his former master, but those books are lost to history. Harris gives him back his voice.

The story is primarily a political thriller—there is little physical action and only a scene or two in which there might be some physical danger. Tiro is a wonderful, sympathetic character—intelligent, loyal, hard-working; brave when he needs to be; and, at all times, discreet. His "voice," through Harris, is straightforward narrative with not a lot of reflection or poetry, but excellent descriptions of places and people—what you might expect from a person who spends his life listening, watching and recording.

As to the plot, if you don't have some familiarity with the players and events of the times, it can become a bit confusing. The action takes place between civil wars and dictatorships with a young Julius Caesar just starting to play a role in politics. Harris does a good job of weaving the historical details into the narrative without boring the reader, but it still helps to have some background. There are plots within plots, shifting factions and loyalties, and the minutia of governing.

Harris does us a favor bringing this famous Roman back to public notice in such an accessible story. Since Latin is no longer required in high school or college, Cicero is fading from our collective memory. Which is a shame—he profoundly affected our U.S. founding fathers. Because so many of his books and letters survived, his work became canon in studying the language and his views on a balanced government suffused the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers and are reflected in our constitution. John Adams' first and most prized book was his Cicero. I recommend Imperium and will be looking forward to the next installment: Conspirata.

I've posted a more extensive review at my blog.(less)

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Apr 19, 2010 Johnny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I find myself wondering if Marcus Cicero really said something like, “Sometimes, if you find yourself stuck in politics, the thing to do is start a fight—start a fight, even if you do not know how you are going to win it, because it is only when a fight is on, and everything is in motion, that you can hope to see your way through.” (p. 37) It might be original to him. I’m just unfamiliar with that side of him (being used to reading his stoic essays and apologies for various defendants given in t...more I find myself wondering if Marcus Cicero really said something like, “Sometimes, if you find yourself stuck in politics, the thing to do is start a fight—start a fight, even if you do not know how you are going to win it, because it is only when a fight is on, and everything is in motion, that you can hope to see your way through.” (p. 37) It might be original to him. I’m just unfamiliar with that side of him (being used to reading his stoic essays and apologies for various defendants given in the law courts. His penchant for political in-fighting may ring true, but it caught me off-guard.

Another contemporized maxim sounded more like Cicero: “If you must do something unpopular, you might as well do it wholeheartedly, for in politics there is no credit to be won by timidity.” (p. 47) I loved “Politics is a country idiot, and capable of concentrating on only one thing at a time.” (p. 48) That one is true even today. Some of the smartest ecclesiastical and secular politicians that I’ve known have understood that one.

I guess the anachronism problem (more feeling than actual accuracy) lies more with reading lines like, “That young man seeks opportunities to test his principles as readily as a drunk picks fights in a bar.” (p. 71) I’d feel so much more comfortable if Harris had used the word “tavern” instead of “bar.” Another phrase notes something like a “prizefighter limbering up in the ring.” (p. 84) I know that there were very literal (read “round”) rings in Greco-Roman sports, but the combination of “prizefighter” (suggesting a modern system of purses) and “ring” (my own inability to get modern boxing/wrestling rings out of my mind) jerked me out of my suspended disbelief.

I learned something that I originally thought was incorrect, though. On page 117, Harris states that each side was limited to six “objections” or peremptory challenges to the jury. I thought he was confusing Roman Law and English Common Law. I was the one who was wrong. Apparently, Roman Law at one time allowed up to 50 jury members per side to be challenged [Patricia Henley, “Improving the Jury System: Peremptory Challenges” printed as a publication of the Public Law Research Institute]. Guess it’s a useful book when you get corrected. I still haven’t found a reference to SIX challenges per side and I even checked some of my Roman History texts from grad school (like Hans Julius Wolff, Roman Law).

I was also reminded of something that I had forgotten about the Temple of Diana (or Opifera, or Bona Dea, or, as Harris literally translates the latter, “The Good Goddess”) on Aventine Hill. The temple was built over a cave where “sacred serpents” (harmless snakes) were allowed to roam free. Of course, Harris ups the ante by saying that they roamed free within the temple itself in order to encourage fertility. (p. 216)

My favorite quote in the book, however, was his translation of Cicero’s “These people are a warning of what happens to any state which has a permanent staff of officials. They begin as our servants and end up imagining themselves our masters!” (p. 220) I also liked “He who controls the street controls the law.” (p. 101); “What convinces is conviction!” (p. 161); “Politics is history on the wing,” (p. 167); and “To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life unless it is woven in the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” (p. 199). I’m not certain this other line is from the era, but I liked it when Cicero’s scribe wanted to avoid the sin of the hagiographers—shining the distorting light of the future on the shadows of the past (p. 126).
I still have mixed feelings about this novel because of its “tone,” but I benefited from reading it nonetheless.
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Apr 05, 2010 harri pratama rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sekitar tahun 79-60-an SM, untuk menduduki jabatan penting di pemerintahan Roma seseorang harus memiliki modal, antara lain, Memiliki darah Aristrokrat seperti Metellus dan Hertensius dengan piutang budi politik turun-temurun selama beberapa generasi yang dapat ditagih selama pemilu, memiliki armada perang raksasa yang mendukung pencalonannya, seperti Pompeius dan Caesar, atau memiliki harta berlimpah seperti Crassus untuk melicinkan jalan. Sementara, Marcus Tullius Cicero, seorang warga Roma, y...more Sekitar tahun 79-60-an SM, untuk menduduki jabatan penting di pemerintahan Roma seseorang harus memiliki modal, antara lain, Memiliki darah Aristrokrat seperti Metellus dan Hertensius dengan piutang budi politik turun-temurun selama beberapa generasi yang dapat ditagih selama pemilu, memiliki armada perang raksasa yang mendukung pencalonannya, seperti Pompeius dan Caesar, atau memiliki harta berlimpah seperti Crassus untuk melicinkan jalan. Sementara, Marcus Tullius Cicero, seorang warga Roma, yang bercita-cita menduduki kursi Konsul, posisi tertinggi di pemerintahan Roma, tidak memiliki satu pun kriteria di atas. Ia hanya mempunyai suara dan kecerdasan. Meskipun demikian, ia membuktikan bahwa ia mampu. Bahkan menjadikan dirinya sebagai salah satu orang termahsyur di dunia.

Untuk mengejar ambisinya, Cicero mendalami filsafat dan ilmu retorika. Ia mulai perjalanannya dengan belajar filsafat di sebuah akademi di Athena. Di tempat ini ia banyak belajar ilmu retorika, khususnya Retorika gaya Asiatik, yaitu aliran retorika dengan bahasa yang rumit dan berbunga-bunga, penu frase angkuh dan irama berdenting, penyampaiannya disertai dengan mengayun-ayunkan tubuh dan berjalan mondar-mandir (hal: 17). Setelah enam bulan di sana dan merasa telah menguasainya, Cicero melanjutkan mendaftarkan diri di sekolah Apollonus Molon yang ada di Rhodus. Sebuah sekolah retorika milik lelaki gempal bernama Molon, seorang pengacara handal asal Alabanda. Gaya retorika Molon bertolak belakang dengan gaya Asiatik. Sederhana saja: jangan terlalu banyak bergerak, tegakkan kepala, jangan menyimpang dari inti pembicaraan, buat mereka tertawa, buat mereka menangis, dan setelah kau memperoleh simpati mereka, duduklah cepat-cepat, - karena, kata Molon, “takada yang mengering lebih cepat daripada air mata” (hal: 18). Gagap bicara, sesuatu di dalam dirinya yang dianggap masalah selama ini oleh Cicero, justru sebuah kelebihan menurut pandangan Molon. Karena itulah Cicero semangant Cicero semakin berkibar.

Selesai dari Akademi Apollonus Molon, Cicero, pulang ke Roma dan menikahi Terentia. Seorang wanita berusia 17 tahun, berdada rata seperti anak lelaki, berambut hitam pendek dengan ikal-ikal kecil yang rapat (hal: 22). Cicero menikahi Terentia karena ia harus membayar satu juta sestersius untuk menjadi senator, langkah pertama yang harus ditempuh Cicero untuk berkarir di pemerintahan Roma. Terentia memiliki uang tersebut. Karena ia adalah seorang keturunan aristokrat. Tapi, di luar itu semua, Cicero benar-benar mencintai Terentia.

Jalan untuk menuju kursi konsul mulai terbuka ketika Cicero memutuskan untuk membela seorang warga Sisilia, Sthenius, seorang kaya yang tiba-tiba jatuh miskin akibat ketamakan gubernur daerahnya, Gaius Verres. Namun, sungguh, perjuangan Cicero untuk melawan Verres tidaklah mudah. Karena sebagian besar pejabat-pejabat di pemerintahan Roma menderita penyakit akut, yaitu rakus harta, yang kemudian membuat mereka banyak terlibat Korupsi. Gaius Verres memiliki banyak orang penting yang siap mendukung dirinya agar bebas dari segala tuduhan.

Cicero tidak menyerah, berkat bantuan teman-teman dekatnya serta kecerdasan Cicero untuk mengambil peluang di dunia politik yang hitam, Cicero berhasil menaklukkan Verres dan memenjarakan sang koruptor berdarah dingin tersebut. Kisah sukses Cicero menangani kasus Verres ini membuat dirinya semakin dikenal luas. Dukungan terhadap dirinya dari warga Roma semakin besar. Karir Cicero pun terus naik, hingga suatu hari ia berhasil duduk di bangku Konsul.

Demikianlah, kisah Cicero ini diceritakan oleh Tiro, seorang budak (kemudian diangkat oleh Cicero menjadi sekretaris) Cicero yang setia sekaligus cerdas bernama Tiro. Seorang lelaki yang mendapak “hak istemewa” karena berkesempatan belajar dan berdiskusi tentang fislsafat bersama tuannya. Lelaki ini juga mampu mencatat secepat Cicero atau orang lain berbicara sesuatu. ia mengembangkan sebuah teknik mencatat yang dianamakan dengan stenografi. Berkat kemampuan Tiro juga lah Cicero mampu melawan musuh-musuh politiknya selama berjalan menuju tahta tertinggi di pemerintahan Roma.

Satu hal yang paling menarik dari novel ini, yaitu mengenai kampanye politik Cicero yang sangat efisien. Cicero tidak hanya mengumbar kata, tapi pula bukti. Ketika ia berniat dan berkata ia akan berjuang utuk rakyat Roma (yang sebagiannya miskin), ia tinggal di sebuah apartemen kecil yang terhitung kumuh. Cicero tidak berniat pindah walaupun ia bisa membeli sebuah rumah mewah, seperti yang dilakukan pejabat Roma lainnya. Suatu hal yang belum pernah saya temui ketika melihat iklan politik para calon pejabat di televisi.

Novel ini juga tidak “mendewakan” Cicero, meskipun ia tokoh utama. Robert Harris, melalui Tiro juga menceritakan lobi-lobi politik yang dilakukan Cicero demi mendapatkan kursi Konsul. Bahkan, lobi politik yang dilakukan Cicero sempat membuat sepupunya, Lucius, berang. Sangat mengharukan kisah mereka berdua karena perselisihan saudara ini tidak terselesaikan dengan baik. Karena Lucius lebih dulu meninggal karena penyakitnya sebelum Cicero duduk di kursi konsul. Andai saja Lucius mengetahui, bahwa lobi politik yang dilakukan Cicero tidak hanya ditujukan untuk memenuhi ambisinya meraih posisi konsul , tapi pula untuk memperjuangkan hak rakyat Roma yang selama ini terampas oleh pejabat-pejabat yang “sakit”.

"selalu waspadai orang yang berkata dia tidak mengejar jabatan demi dirinya, karena dialah orang tersombong diantara semua" (kata-kata cicero kepada Tiro saat hendak berkampanye menjadi konsul)(less)

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Mar 20, 2010 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People who love both history and intrigue

I'm a history junkie. Harris has crafted a novel here that (like Pompeii) gives a vivid impression of life in ancient Rome, which was neither as elegant nor as lawful as many would think. It begins with a mystery, as do many of Harris' books, but the mystery in this case takes a back seat to the bare-knuckle politics of the end of the Roman republic.

Tiro, our narrator, is largely a stand-in for the author. The central character in this story is Cicero, the legendary orator, who is shown with al...more

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Jan 07, 2010 Geosynch rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't like this much as other RH books. I wrote this review on Amazon awhile back:

I had high hopes for this book. I love the genre and have enjoyed Robert Harris' other books. Although Imperium had the potential for five stars I am giving it three. Why only three? Imperium is interesting and thought provoking at times but I had two major grievances, each cost it a star.

First, there are a lot of terms in the book that only a scholar of Roman history would be able to recall on demand. There is...more

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Aug 06, 2009 an rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: memoar

Politik… selalu penuh korupsi, suap menyuap, saling menjilat dan bersilat lidah….

Pengalaman yg ditulis tiro tentang cicero serasa membawa peristiwa yg tjd lebih dari 2000 tahun yg lalu ke masa kini. Tetap sama. Situasi pergerakan politik demi memperebutkan kekuasaan tak pernah berubah. Akan tetap diwarnai tarian indah dan keluwesan dalam memainkan na.

Ada beberapa buku yg menceritakan tentang ketidakadilan yg dipandang dari sudut pandang penerima ketidakadilan. Namun pd kisah ini ditampilkan sudu...more Politik… selalu penuh korupsi, suap menyuap, saling menjilat dan bersilat lidah….

Pengalaman yg ditulis tiro tentang cicero serasa membawa peristiwa yg tjd lebih dari 2000 tahun yg lalu ke masa kini. Tetap sama. Situasi pergerakan politik demi memperebutkan kekuasaan tak pernah berubah. Akan tetap diwarnai tarian indah dan keluwesan dalam memainkan na.

Ada beberapa buku yg menceritakan tentang ketidakadilan yg dipandang dari sudut pandang penerima ketidakadilan. Namun pd kisah ini ditampilkan sudut pandang lain, dari pembela ketidakadilan.

Cicero bukan dari kelas bawah maupun atas. Dia berasal dari kelas menengah yg tidak setengah” dalam bertindak. Ya... walau tetap, itu semua tak lain demi ambisi pribadi na. Tapi setidak na dia menempatkan kepentingan rakyat dalam usaha dan langkah awal meraih ambisi tersebut, dengan menarik hati golongan bawah.

Klo rhe boleh memberi sedikit penilaian pribadi tentang cicero...
Dia bukan orang yg mau mjd senja. Ya... dia memilih menjadi siang atau malam sekalian cz menurut rhe senja justru lebih gelap daripada malam dan tak kan bisa setereng siang. Why??? Cz senja telah kehilangan surya dan pijar lampu tak mampu menerangi na. Walau mungkin pagi sedikit serupa namun tetap saja ’orang lebih banyak menyembah matahari terbit daripada matahari terbenam’.

Sedikit banyak yg rhe pelajari, klo saat ini ada 8 profesi yg diakui karena mereka memerlukan kemampuan khusus untuk mencapai profesi tersebut, maka kita perlu menambahkan profesi kesembilan karena...

Politik adalah profesi. Perlu perjuangan untuk bisa memainkan na. Konspirasi... Ya, tidak semua orang mampu. Hanya bagi mereka yg tau seni na. Perlu aktor, panggung dan penonton. Untuk itu jika bermain politik kita harus bisa menjadi membengkokkan diri kesana kemari seperti bunglon... bersikap serius dengan kaum tegas, santai dengan kaum liberal, menghormat dengan kaum tua, ramah dengan kaum muda, pemberani dengan kaun penjahat dan tiak bermorak dengan kaum bejat! Demi menarik simpati dan dukungan kaum” tsb.

Bagaimanapun bank budi sangat berlaku untuk melanggengkan kariermu. ’Mengikat banyak orang melalui persahabatan, mempertahankan na dengan kesetiaan, berbagi harta milik dengan semua orang dan membantu semua teman dalan susah dengan uang, pengaruh dan usaha’. Simpanan yg disimpan sejak dulu dan bisa ditarik sewaktu”...

Apapun itu, politik merupakan bagian sejarah dan kekinian kita. ’Tidak mengetahui apa yg tjd sebelum kau lahir, bearti kau akan selalu menjadi kanak” karena apalah nilai hidup manusia kecuali hidup itu terjalin oleh para leluhur kita melalui catatan sejarah’. Biarkan semua terangkum dalam sejarah.... Karna begitulah seni kehidupan... mengatasi masalah ketika ia muncul, bukan na menghancurkan semangat dengan mencemaskan hal” yg tlalu jauh di depan. Dan... seni inilah yg dikuasai cicero hingga membawa na menjadi yg terdepan.
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Goodreads Librari...: Combine editions	2	17	Jun 20, 2012 02:15pm
When does the next one in this series come out?	10	64	Aug 30, 2011 05:31am
Who wants to enter politics?	1	15	Aug 26, 2007 05:26am

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243601.Imperium?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1173066789l/243601.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243601.Imperium?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Imperium by Robert Harris[/url]

Imperium (Cicero #1)

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