Curt's Read-Bag: Imperium

[curt_holman]

Book: Imperium
By: Robert Harris (Simon & Schuster, 305 pp.)
Concerning: Intrigues in the life and career of Cicero (almost entirely through the periods 79-70 and 68-64 B.C.), as told by his slave and confidential secretary Tiro, an actual individual credited with the invention of shorthand. A novel from the author of Fatherland that makes me want

Comments

[norda]

We just finished watching I, Claudius. We're saving Rome until after we rewatch SPARTACUS.

[foodpoisoningsf]

I, Claudius was awesome. If only as the Roman version of Upstairs, Downstairs. Sometimes British English gets in the way- like the two Romans talking about hungry citizens and "the corn factors." Corn did not migrate to Europe until well after Columbus, but it was only recently that I found out that the British refer to all grains generically as "corn."

Or like last week when Pullo calls the wounded Vorenus a "big girl."

Instead of Spartacus, try Cleopatra. Her entry into Rome is one of Cinecitta's great moments. It's one of those great failed films, and before giving up on it, fast forward to Burton's speech in Cleopatra's tomb. he doesn't so much chew up the scenery as hijack the entire film for ten minutes.

[curt_holman]

Cockney Latin: I think at least once Titus Pullo used "innit?" but that just made me like the show all the more.

'Cleopatra' might be good between 'Rome' season 1 and 2.

I thought about Shaw's play 'Caesar and Cleopatra,' but I can't remember anything about it except that it was kind of boring to read compared to the likes of 'Saint Joan' or 'Major Barbara.'

[planettom]

Not in the same category, but I enjoy Lindsey Davis's mysteries.

They're about a Private Eye in Ancient Rome, Marcus Didius Falco. Sort of Sam Spade in a toga. Or, since he's romancing a senator's daughter through most of the series, it's sort of MOONLIGHTING in Roman Times.

The first book in the series is SILVER PIGS.

[liddle_oldman]

Lindsey Davis's Didius Marco Falco novels. He's an informer (think -- PI) during Vespasian's reign, and we're very fond of them. Much local color, and he gets sent to Brittanius a couple of times.

Well reccomended.

[galbinus_caeli]

First Century is a little early for "the twilight" of the Roman Empire. More like early/mid morning, around time for a coffee break.

Twilight's Last Gleaming

[curt_holman]

Hey: I'm not at all expert on Roman history, but my point was that the period (at least as Imperium) described it) marked the twilight of Rome as a *republic,* with the Senate becoming more of a symbolic body and more power being consolidated in the hands of grasping individuals. As an Empire (with actual Emperors and stuff), it was probably just getting warmed up.

Re: Twilight's Last Gleaming

[galbinus_caeli]

Yeah, the Republic falls in the early part of the First Century BCE. The Roman Empire is pretty much until the fifth century, then it transmogrifies into Byzantium then the Ottoman Empire, which finally falls about a hundred years ago.

Re: Twilight's Last Gleaming

[galbinus_caeli]

Oh, and I must apologize. I thought you said "twilight of the Roman empire" when you said "twilight of the Roman republic" My mistake.