Conspirata

Conspirata is the second of a planned three-book series by Robert Harris centered around Cicero. In the first, Imperium, Cicero rises as a "new man," without military honors or great wealth but with his wits and oratory. The second volume picks up at the beginning of Cicero's term as consul, which should be a time of great triumph for him. Alas, there are enemies of the republic lurking all around him. Caesar, who appears briefly in the first book, steps forward here as a steely and formidable rival; likewise Pompey and Crassus, the other two heads of the "three-headed beast." Cicero is admirable for his defense of the republic, for his integrity, and for his intellect. But he is not perfect, and Harris colors him, through the words of his secretary Tiro, in many shades. The parallels between Rome of 63 B.C. and the current day should not be overstressed, but it is probably safe to say that nothing that has happened in politics in the last 2,000 years would have surprised Cicero in the least.