I loved the character of Tiro, a brave and resourceful man who I’m told gained his freedom eventually, (even though that wasn’t featured in this book). Cicerón se nos aparece como un inteligente y ambicioso personaje que, ascendiendo desde las capas más humildes de la sociedad romana, llegará no sólo a ser senador, sino incluso cónsul, el más alto cargo político de la época pre-imperial. Cicero takes calculated risks to obtain his objectives but he is also a pragmatist and, like most politicians, must form and break alliances as opportunities present themselves.

This novel isn’t going to change your mind about fiction set in ancient Rome or anything, but for fans of this era/subgenre, you might like this if you want a look at the life of one of history’s greatest rhetoricians and orators. The supporting cast, from Julius Caesar to Pompey the Great, are equally well-drawn, each adding depth and color to the rich tapestry of the narrative.To put it in the shell's nut, this was good entertainment but likely won't earn a hallowed place among your list of favorites.

En estas memorias, un Tiro muy anciano relata la trayectoria de Cicerón desde su labor como abogado hasta su ascenso como cónsul, en las que presenciamos como el retórico va escalando dentro del senado valiéndose únicamente de su elocuencia. There was more than one legal mess involving Catilina that Cicero was implicated in, as any Roman history buff will remember, and the one this first volume covers is merely the first one, the least spectacular one. But the path to becoming the famous orator we now know is strewn with dangerous men who would see a high-minded lawyer dead in a ditch to get what they want. Featuring names that have echoed down the ages such as Caesar, Crassus, Pompey and more, this is a book that is largely political with action not at the forefront, yet the tension is rife throughout this tale, and it feels epic in scale, as you know the consequences of the results of these events will effect all who fall within the realms of the Roman Empire.Executive Summary: I really enjoyed the first 50% and the last 15% or so, but the third in between got kind of slow.

Rome is in a panic with the burning of Ostia by the pirates and when the Latin Festival finishes, Gabinius mounts the rostra to demand a supreme commander. He was appalled when Pompey pressured him to support Pompey's own attempt at wresting control of the empire from the aristocrats of the senate (years before the civil war with Caesar) with his campaign for the award of sweeping powers to eliminate an upsurge in pirate activity.Just finished this renowned historical fiction trilogy about the famous figure of Cicero, who operated during a time of almost unparalleled change within the Ancient Roman Empire. There is a conspiracy to take down the Republic and create an absolute ruler, an Emperor, which we know will be Julius Caesar, and so there is endless discussions over elections, bribing voters, legal discussions of ruling, and so on that become the main focus of this second part. But, Cicero had to request a loan from her through her business manager as if she was just another moneylender in the forum.