Just finished the Robert Harris Cicero/Rome trilogy:
Imperium,
Conspirata, and
Dictator.
All VERY worthwhile. Reinforced why I a) hate politics and b) understand its necessity. Fits in quite well with what is going on in politics nowadays (though not necessarily for reasons that may immediately come to mind).
Anyway, if you like excellent writing (I don't think Harris has ever written a bad novel; you may already know of some of his other works like
Enigma,
Fatherland,
Ghost Writer, or
Archangel), enjoy historical fiction, and find Rome fascinating I think you will enjoy this trilogy and find it worth your time.
The first book begins at the time Sulla resigned the dictatorship (c. 79 B.C.) and the third book ends with Cicero's death at the start of the Second Triumverate (c. 43 B.C.). Pretty much covers the entirety of Cicero's public life.
Here are a few nuggets from one of the greatest orators of antiquity:
A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. - A comment made during the Cataline Wars (this period is covered in
Conspirata).
Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions. Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new, wonderful good society' which shall now be Rome, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious.'
More here:
Discover Marcus Tullius Cicero famous and rare quotes. Share Marcus Tullius Cicero quotations about age, virtue and war. "A nation can survive its fools, and even..."
www.azquotes.com
Cheers!
--- End of line (MCP)