The Cicero Trilogy by Robert Harris is a complete series of 3 political thrillers set in Ancient Rome during the final decades of the Roman Republic. Narrated by Cicero’s loyal secretary Tiro, the trilogy chronicles the extraordinary life of Marcus Tullius Cicero from ambitious young lawyer to Rome’s greatest orator and statesman, culminating in his tragic death during one of history’s most tumultuous eras.
Readers love this series for Harris’s meticulous historical research, modern political parallels, and his ability to transform ancient history into gripping political thrillers that feel startlingly contemporary.
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Author: Robert Harris
Number of Books: 3 books (complete)
First Book: Imperium (2006)
Latest Book: Dictator (2015)
Setting: Roman Republic, 79-43 BC (spanning 36 years of political turmoil)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Political Thriller
Narrator: Tiro, Cicero’s secretary and inventor of shorthand
Cicero Trilogy Books in Publication Order
Publication order is the recommended (and only) way to read the Cicero Trilogy. The books follow Cicero’s political career chronologically from his twenties through his assassination at age 63. Each volume builds on the previous one, with continuing storylines, evolving character relationships, and escalating political crises that span decades.
1. Imperium (2006)
Setting: Rome and Sicily, 79-64 BC
Timeline: Cicero’s rise from young lawyer to consul-elect
Summary: Narrated by Tiro, Cicero’s devoted secretary, Imperium opens with 27-year-old Marcus Cicero as an ambitious lawyer with brilliant oratory skills but no family connections or wealth. When a terrified Sicilian arrives at his door seeking help against the corrupt governor Gaius Verres, Cicero sees an opportunity to make his name. Despite facing the patrician establishment and Rome’s most powerful lawyer, Quintus Hortensius, Cicero takes the case and travels to Sicily to gather evidence. His prosecution of Verres becomes one of history’s most famous courtroom dramas, catapulting Cicero to fame. The novel follows his strategic maneuvering in Roman politics, as he navigates relationships with power brokers such as Pompey the Great and the young Julius Caesar. Through tactical brilliance and his wife Terentia’s counsel, Cicero outmaneuvers rivals and conspirators, ultimately winning election as consul, Rome’s highest office, achieving the imperium (supreme power) he craved while using only his voice and wit as weapons.
2. Lustrum (2009)
Also titled: Conspirata (US title)
Setting: Rome, 63-58 BC
Timeline: Cicero’s year as consul and subsequent downfall
Summary: The second volume opens with Cicero at the pinnacle of power as consul in 63 BC, but immediately faces a horrifying omen: a murdered slave boy, apparently a human sacrifice. Cicero must navigate a deadly conspiracy led by the aristocratic senator Lucius Catilina (Catiline) to overthrow the Republic, backed by shadowy forces including Julius Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus. Through brilliant political maneuvering and his famous speeches, Cicero exposes the plot and has the conspirators executed, earning the title “Father of the Country.” But his triumph sows the seeds of his destruction. When the sexually audacious senator Publius Clodius is put on trial for infiltrating a sacred women-only ritual, Cicero reluctantly testifies against him. Meanwhile, Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey form the First Triumvirate, consolidating power. Cicero’s enemies multiply, and Clodius, now tribune, exacts revenge by having Cicero exiled from Rome. The book ends with Cicero separated from his family, his possessions confiscated, fleeing Rome in disgrace despite saving the Republic.
3. Dictator (2015)
Setting: Rome, Greece, Italy, 58-43 BC
Timeline: Cicero’s exile, return, and final fifteen years
Summary: The trilogy’s conclusion begins with 48-year-old Cicero in exile, broken and separated from his family. By promising to support his political enemy Julius Caesar, he wins the right to return to Rome. Once home, he gradually fights his way back to prominence through the law courts and Senate, ultimately achieving one final period of political dominance. The novel encompasses the era’s most epic events: Caesar’s civil war against Pompey, Pompey’s murder in Egypt, Caesar’s dictatorship, and Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March. After Caesar’s death, Cicero hopes to restore the Republic, placing his trust in the young Octavian (later Emperor Augustus). But when Octavian forms the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus, Cicero’s name appears on their proscription list. The book chronicles not only political events but also Cicero’s personal tragedies: his divorce from Terentia, his estrangement from his brother Quintus, and the death of his beloved daughter Tullia. The novel culminates with Cicero’s assassination as he attempts to flee, ending the Republic’s last great defender.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Publication Order Equals Chronological Order
The Cicero Trilogy follows Cicero’s life chronologically, in the order in which the books were published. The narrative flows naturally from his youth (Book 1) through his consulship (Book 2) to his final years (Book 3).
Simply read them in publication order:
- Imperium (79-64 BC) – Rise to power
- Lustrum/Conspirata (63-58 BC) – Years in power
- Dictator (58-43 BC) – Aftermath of power
As Harris explains: “Imperium describes the rise to power, Lustrum the years in power, and Dictator the repercussions of power.”
About the Cicero Trilogy
Series Overview
The Cicero Trilogy is both a biography of one of history’s most fascinating political figures and a sweeping portrait of the Roman Republic’s final decades. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was a “new man” who rose to power without family connections or military glory, relying solely on his intelligence, legal brilliance, and unmatched oratory. He defended the Republic against would-be dictators, introduced Greek philosophy to Rome, shaped the Latin language, and left behind speeches and letters that influenced Western civilization for millennia.
Robert Harris recreates Cicero’s lost biography, originally written by his secretary Tiro (a real historical figure who invented shorthand and lived to be 100). By narrating through Tiro’s eyes, Harris creates intimacy and immediacy while maintaining historical authenticity. Tiro knows all his master’s secrets, witnesses his triumphs and failures, and provides the perfect perspective on both Cicero the brilliant statesman and Cicero the flawed, anxious, vain human being.
The trilogy transforms ancient history into contemporary political thrillers. Harris draws explicit parallels between Roman politics and modern democracy: electoral corruption, special prosecutors, political adventurism, foreign wars, media manipulation, and the eternal struggle between principle and power. Reading about Cicero battling Caesar, Crassus, Pompey, Cato, Catilina, and Clodius feels eerily relevant to 21st-century politics.
What Makes the Cicero Trilogy Special
Political Thriller Pacing: Harris structures each novel like a modern thriller with conspiracies, assassination plots, courtroom dramas, and escalating crises. Despite knowing the historical outcomes, readers are gripped by the tension.
Historical Authenticity: Harris draws heavily from Cicero’s surviving speeches and letters, incorporating actual historical dialogue and events. His author’s notes detail his sources and where he took creative liberties. The result feels both meticulously researched and compellingly dramatic.
Timeless Political Themes: The trilogy explores how democracies die, how ambitious men undermine institutions, how foreign wars corrupt republics, and how well-meaning leaders make fatal compromises. These themes resonate powerfully today.
Complex Protagonist: Cicero emerges as neither hero nor villain but a brilliant, flawed, thoroughly human figure. He’s witty, vain, anxious, cunning, principled, and frequently fearful yet ultimately brave. His struggles between idealism and pragmatism feel modern.
Masterful Characterization: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, Cato, and Clodius come alive as three-dimensional characters. Harris shows Caesar not as the noble figure of Shakespeare but as a ruthless, calculating politician whose charm masks his ambition.
Accessible Historical Fiction: Despite complex Roman politics, Harris never bogs down in exposition. The narrative moves swiftly, explaining Roman political systems naturally through Tiro’s observations.
Where to Start with the Cicero Trilogy
New to the Series?
Start here: Imperium (Book 1)
You must begin with the first book. The Cicero Trilogy builds character relationships, political context, and emotional stakes across all three volumes. Each book assumes knowledge from the previous one. Starting with Book 2 or 3 will leave you confused about who’s who, why events matter, and what motivates the characters.
Imperium introduces Cicero as an ambitious young lawyer, establishes his relationship with Tiro, and shows how he navigates Roman politics as an outsider. Understanding this foundation is essential for appreciating his later triumphs and tragedies.
Can You Read These Books Standalone?
No. Harris explicitly designed the trilogy as a single narrative arc spanning 36 years. Each book ends on a cliffhanger or transition point that leads directly into the next volume. The political conflicts, personal relationships, and character development are continuous. Major events in Book 2 directly cause the situations in Book 3. Without reading in order, you’ll lose both plot coherence and emotional impact.
Time Investment
The three books total approximately 1,200 pages. Most readers complete each book in 5-8 hours, for a total of 15-25 hours across the trilogy. However, Harris’s thriller-like pacing makes the books quick reads despite their historical complexity. Plan for 3-6 weeks if reading steadily, or 2-3 weeks if reading intensively.
About the Author: Robert Harris
Robert Harris is a British author born in 1957 who has become one of the most successful historical thriller writers of his generation. Before writing fiction, Harris worked as a television correspondent with the BBC and a newspaper columnist for The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph. His journalism background shows in his meticulous research and crisp, unadorned prose style.
Harris spent over ten years writing the Cicero Trilogy, publishing the books between 2006 and 2015. His research was extensive, drawing from Cicero’s surviving speeches and letters, Plutarch’s biography, ancient historical texts, and modern scholarship. He traveled to Rome and Sicily to experience the locations firsthand.
The trilogy represents Harris’s most ambitious work, different from his earlier standalone thrillers. While books like Fatherland, Enigma, and Pompeii are complete in themselves, the Cicero Trilogy required sustained commitment to a single narrative spanning three volumes. The result is widely considered Harris’s masterpiece, praised for bringing the late Roman Republic to life with unmatched vividness.
The trilogy was adapted for the stage in 2017 by Mike Poulton in a production that condensed all three novels into a six-hour epic, demonstrating the trilogy’s theatrical power.
More by Robert Harris:
- Fatherland (1992) – Alternate history thriller
- Pompeii (2003) – Historical thriller set during the Mt. Vesuvius eruption
- An Officer and a Spy (2013) – Dreyfus Affair, won the Walter Scott Prize
- Munich (2017) – Political thriller set during the 1938 Munich Crisis
- V2 (2020) – WWII rocket program thriller
Complete Robert Harris Bibliography
Historical Context: The Fall of the Roman Republic
The Cicero Trilogy covers one of history’s most dramatic periods: the collapse of the Roman Republic and its transformation into an empire. The Republic had endured for nearly 500 years, but by Cicero’s era, it was crumbling under the weight of conquest, political corruption, and the ambitions of powerful generals.
Why This Period Fascinates
The late Republic saw the rise of men who changed Western civilization: Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, Marcus Licinius Crassus, Cato the Younger, and Cicero himself. These titans battled for control of Rome through a combination of political maneuvering, military conquest, mob violence, and ultimately civil war. Their conflicts established patterns that would influence politics for millennia: the tension between populism and aristocracy, the corruption of institutions by personal ambition, and the danger of military strongmen to democratic systems.
Cicero stood at the center of these conflicts as Rome’s preeminent lawyer and orator. Unlike his rivals, he had no army and minimal wealth. His only weapons were words, intelligence, and political cunning. He represented the old Republican ideal: that civic virtue, eloquence, and adherence to law could triumph over raw power. His ultimate failure marked the end of that ideal and the beginning of Imperial Rome.
Historical Accuracy
Harris remains broadly faithful to historical events while taking necessary liberties for dramatic purposes. The major political crises (Catiline’s conspiracy, the First and Second Triumvirates, Caesar’s civil war, the Ides of March) happened as depicted. Many of Cicero’s speeches are incorporated directly from surviving texts. The timeline is occasionally compressed, some minor characters are composites, and dialogue is obviously invented, but the essential history is accurate.
Harris’s characterizations, while interpretive, draw from ancient sources. His portrayal of Caesar as ruthlessly ambitious rather than nobly heroic may surprise readers familiar with Shakespeare, but it aligns with historical evidence. His depiction of Cicero as brilliant but vain, principled but compromising, heroic but fearful, captures the complexity of the historical figure.
Similar Series You’ll Love
If you’re enjoying the Cicero Trilogy, these books offer similar appeal:
1. Emperor Series by Conn Iggulden
Why similar: Five-book series about Julius Caesar covering the same time period from Caesar’s perspective. Where Harris focuses on Republican politics through Cicero’s eyes, Iggulden shows the military campaigns and personal relationships that made Caesar Rome’s dictator. Reading both series provides complementary views of the late Republic.
2. I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves
Why similar: Classic historical fiction set in early Imperial Rome, also narrated by a first-person observer (Claudius himself). Like the Cicero Trilogy, Graves combines meticulous scholarship with compelling narrative, making ancient Rome feel immediate and relevant.
3. The First Man in Rome series by Colleen McCullough
Why similar: Seven-book series covering the late Republic from an earlier period (110-27 BC), including young Cicero as a character. McCullough’s epic provides even more detail about Roman political institutions and includes extensive notes on historical accuracy.
4. Pompeii by Robert Harris
Why similar: Same author, same meticulous research, same vivid recreation of ancient Rome. While standalone and set during a natural disaster rather than a political crisis, Pompeii shows Harris’s mastery of making the ancient world tangible and exciting.
5. The Ides of March by Thornton Wilder
Why similar: Epistolary novel about Caesar’s final months, told through letters and documents. Like Harris, Wilder transforms ancient history into modern psychological drama, exploring political power and personal relationships.
6. An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris
Why similar: Another Harris political thriller, this time about the Dreyfus Affair in 1890s France. Demonstrates Harris’s ability to turn historical political crises into gripping narratives with timeless themes about justice, prejudice, and institutional corruption.
More recommendations: Best Ancient Rome Historical Fiction
Adaptations and Media
In 2017, playwright Mike Poulton adapted all three Cicero Trilogy novels for the stage in an ambitious six-hour production. The Royal Shakespeare Company premiered the adaptation, condensing 36 years of history into a theatrical epic that received critical acclaim for capturing both the political intrigue and personal drama of Harris’s novels.
No film or television adaptation has been produced as of 2025, though the trilogy’s cinematic political intrigue and famous historical events make it ideal for prestige television. The success of historical political dramas demonstrates a strong audience appetite for this genre.
Audiobook versions of all three novels, particularly those narrated by Simon Jones (UK) and Bill Wallis, are highly regarded. Jones’s narration effectively conveys both the intimacy of Tiro’s perspective and the grandeur of Cicero’s speeches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Cicero Trilogy?
There are 3 books in the Cicero Trilogy. The series is complete. Robert Harris published the final volume, Dictator, in 2015, concluding Cicero’s story from an ambitious young lawyer through his assassination in 43 BC.
Do I need to read the Cicero Trilogy in order?
Yes, absolutely. The Cicero Trilogy must be read in publication order (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator). The books follow Cicero’s life chronologically, with continuing storylines, evolving relationships, and political crises spanning decades. Each book assumes knowledge from previous volumes. Starting anywhere except Book 1 will leave you confused and diminish the emotional impact.
What is the Cicero Trilogy about?
The Cicero Trilogy chronicles the life of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Rome’s greatest orator and a key political figure during the Roman Republic’s final decades. Book 1 follows his rise to power as consul. Book 2 covers his year in office, his battle against Catiline’s conspiracy, and his subsequent exile. Book 3 depicts his return, Caesar’s civil war, the Ides of March, and Cicero’s assassination. The trilogy examines how democracies fail, how ambitious men undermine institutions, and the cost of defending principles against power.
Is the Cicero Trilogy historically accurate?
Yes, broadly. Harris bases the trilogy on Cicero’s surviving speeches and letters, Plutarch’s biography, and ancient historical sources. Major events (Catiline’s conspiracy, the Triumvirates, Caesar’s assassination) happened as depicted. Harris occasionally compresses timelines, creates composite characters, and invents dialogue, but the essential history is accurate. His detailed author’s notes explain where he departed from sources and why.
How long does it take to read the Cicero Trilogy?
The three books total approximately 1,200 pages. Average readers complete each book in 5-8 hours, for a total of 15-25 hours of reading time across the trilogy. However, Harris’s thriller-like pacing makes the books quicker reads than typical historical fiction. Plan for 3-6 weeks if reading steadily, or 2-3 weeks if reading intensively.
Is the Cicero Trilogy appropriate for all readers?
The trilogy contains political violence, including assassinations, executions, and mob violence. There is mature content, including sexual situations (though not explicit) and political ruthlessness. The books are best suited for adult readers or mature teens (16+) interested in political history. The complex Roman political system may challenge younger readers, though Harris explains it clearly through context.
Why are there two titles for the second book?
The second book is titled Lustrum in the UK and Conspirata in the US and Italy. “Lustrum” is a Latin term meaning a five-year period, referencing the five years (63-58 BC) covered in the novel. Conspirata refers to Catiline’s conspiracy, the book’s central plot. Both titles refer to the same novel with identical content.
Do I need to know Roman history before reading?
No prior knowledge is required. Harris writes for general audiences and provides all necessary context through Tiro’s narration. The books work as both an introduction to and a deep dive into late Republican Rome. However, readers familiar with basic Roman history (who Cicero, Caesar, Pompey were) may appreciate the details more. Harris includes helpful maps, glossaries, and the author’s notes.
Can I read the Cicero Trilogy on Kindle/audiobook?
Yes, all three books are available in print, ebook (Kindle and other formats), and audiobook. The audiobook versions narrated by Simon Jones (UK) and Bill Wallis are particularly praised for conveying both Tiro’s intimate perspective and the drama of Cicero’s famous speeches.
How does the Cicero Trilogy compare to other Robert Harris books?
The Cicero Trilogy is Harris’s most ambitious work, requiring sustained commitment across three volumes rather than his usual standalone thrillers. While earlier books like Fatherland and Pompeii are excellent, the trilogy represents Harris’s masterpiece, combining his journalistic precision with deep character development across 36 years of history. It’s less plot-driven than his thrillers but more psychologically complex.
Who should read the Cicero Trilogy?
The trilogy appeals to readers who enjoy political thrillers, ancient Rome, or intelligent historical fiction. Fans of Robert Graves, Colleen McCullough, and literary historical fiction will love it. It’s perfect for readers interested in how democracies function (or fail), political strategy, or the parallels between ancient and modern politics. However, readers seeking romance-heavy historical fiction or fast-paced action should look elsewhere.
Is there a box set for the Cicero Trilogy?
Yes, the complete Cicero Trilogy is available in various formats, including a single-volume omnibus edition and a three-book paperback box set. The omnibus edition provides the complete story in one binding, while box sets offer good value and make excellent gifts for historical fiction enthusiasts.
What are Cicero’s most famous speeches in the trilogy?
The trilogy incorporates several of Cicero’s most famous speeches, including his prosecution of Verres (in Imperium), the Catilinarian Orations exposing the conspiracy against Rome (in Lustrum), and his Philippics against Mark Antony (in Dictator). Harris weaves actual excerpts from these speeches into the narrative, demonstrating why Cicero was considered Rome’s greatest orator.
Conclusion: Your Cicero Trilogy Reading Journey
The Cicero Trilogy represents historical fiction at its finest, transforming the fall of the Roman Republic from distant history into urgent, contemporary political drama. Robert Harris’s achievement lies not just in meticulous research or thrilling plot construction, but in making readers care deeply about events that occurred 2,000 years ago while seeing unmistakable parallels to today’s political crises.
Through Tiro’s eyes, we witness Cicero’s extraordinary journey: from ambitious outsider to consul, from exile to elder statesman, from idealistic defender of the Republic to its tragic final champion. His story illuminates timeless questions: How do democracies die? Can the principle survive in politics? What happens when institutions fail? These questions resonated in ancient Rome and still do.
Harris has given us not just a biography of Cicero, but a tapestry of the late Republic featuring Caesar, Pompey, Crassus, Cato, and the other giants who shaped Western civilization. Their battles over power, principle, and the soul of Rome created the political vocabulary we still use: republic, senate, consul, dictatorship. Understanding how Rome’s Republic fell helps us understand how democracies endure or collapse today.
Ready to begin? Start with Imperium and follow Cicero’s remarkable rise to power. With three volumes spanning 36 years of political drama, assassination plots, courtroom battles, and the clash of history’s titans, you’ll have gripping reading ahead.
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