Imperium | Robert Harris

Robert Harris is the undisputed master of historical fiction. In Imperium, he sets the stage for the rise of Cicero. The story is told through the eyes of his secretary, Tiro, as we follow Cicero’s early career as a lawyer and politician, capturing the atmosphere of the Roman Republic with sharp detail and a sense of constant intrigue.

Like all of his novels, Harris writes with authority, and the courtroom and Senate scenes are tense, intelligent, and full of clever manoeuvring. Cicero comes across as ambitious, witty, and deeply human, making him an engaging figure to follow through the labyrinth of the Roman political landscape.

Still, the story falters sometimes under the sheer weight of its historical detail. The pace drags a little in the middle, and the abundance of names, titles, and political offices can feel overwhelming, more like a lesson in Roman governance than a novel.

Imperium is a well-researched and solid historical thriller, but it never quite becomes as gripping as many of Harris' other books. It’s smart and informative, but not especially memorable, making it a decent — though not outstanding — start to Harris’s Cicero trilogy.