Robert Harris
I started with the original sources – first and foremost Cicero’s own writings, of which we have an enormous amount, in particular his letters: nearly 1,000 survive. Arguably not until Pepys in the 17th century do we have a more complete contemporaneous record of what a man was doing and thinking at any one time. Then I read the ancient historians, Plutarch in particular. Finally, I moved on to modern scholars. By the time I had finished I had more than half a million words of notes for the Cicero books.
More Answered Questions
Joseph Hargreaves
asked
Robert Harris:
Mr. Harris Firstly, thank you for the hours of enjoyment I got from reading Lustrum. I'm working through the other two as we speak. I have a couple of questions: 1) Why Cicero? Of all the men and women of Rome what was it that attracted you to his story rather than others? 2) As someone who is recently getting into Roman history, what fact/fiction would you recommend as a springboard for deeper exploration?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more