Imperium by Robert Harris

Imperium
By Robert Harris
Audio Book
Read by Simon Jones
Rating: 10 out of 10

“Imperium” is Latin for “power” and that’s what this book is about, the use of power, especially the power of words.  This gripping novel is the story of Cicero as told by his slave and secretary Tiro, who is the founder of short-hand.  Imperium is something of a cross between historical fiction and a courtroom drama with all the twists and turns associated with a page-turner.  I found myself longing for a long ride in the car so that I could listen further.  I even sat in the garage several times waiting for the climactic end of a particular situation.

Imperium was recommended in my seminary alumni magazine by my church history professor, Warren Smith.  Smith was one of my favorite professors, and his influence on me obviously continues with this recommendation.

Throughout the story we hear about Cicero navigating the political power structures of his day outsmarting those who are in more powerful positions simply by his wit and clever arguments.  But we also see Cicero’s integrity beginning to blur as he encounters situations that cause him to pit his better judgment against his ambition to be the proconsul of the Roman senate, the highest elected position possible.  Cicero certainly makes some decisions that the reader has to wonder about and throws his lot in with some shady characters, but when push comes to shove, Cicero’s character wins out of his ambition.  He is willing to give only so much to become proconsul.

I found myself regularly asking questions about the use of power as I listened to Simon Jones incredible “performance” of this novel.  As a pastor my primary tool to motivate is words.  Whether they are the public words I use in a sermon or the private words I use in personal meetings, words are the raw materials of the pastor’s craft.  How do I use words and at the same time remain a person of integrity in their use?  Are there ways that I use words that tend to manipulate or overpower by their wit or cleverness?  In the midst of these questions I am reminded of John Wesley who always tried to say things as “plainly” as possible.

At the same time that I was asking these questions about words and their use, an old interest in classical rhetorical skill was being rekindled in me.  I have in the past looked up a book on classic rhetoric and preaching but have never read it.  Imperium inspired me to revisit Lucy Lind Hogan and Robert Reid’s Connecting with the Congregation: Rhetoric and the Art of Preaching.  I haven’t yet read it, but it’s now sitting in my “to read” pile.

If you like historical fiction, Roman history, or courtroom dramas, you’ll love this book.  You’ll be immersed in the politics of ancient Rome in a way that will shed considerable light on Western civilization, and Imperium is as entertaining and gripping as it is informative.  Cicero would be proud.

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