Tag Archives: Cicero

SPQR

Posted on September 12, 2025 by smellincoffee

SPQR is an unusual history of Rome, one that largely ignores the imperial period to focus instead on ancient Rome — first, the early city-state, and then the expansive republic it grew into. It also ignores a general narrative, choosing … Continue reading →

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Lawless Republic

Posted on July 11, 2024 by smellincoffee

Oh, the times! Oh, the morals! Marcus Tullius Cicero began his legal practice and subsequent political career in tempestuous times: the Roman Republic was actively failing, critically hit during the civil wars between Marius and Sulla, attempting to salvage itself … Continue reading →

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Of Cicero and base-ball

Posted on May 5, 2023 by smellincoffee

This week I’ve been finishing up a couple of audiobooks. The first is How to Grow Old, a short one by Cicero written during the early part of his retirement from Rome, before the odious Mark Anthony sent men to … Continue reading →

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Dictator

Posted on January 15, 2016 by smellincoffee

Dictator○ 2015 Robert Harris416 pages “Why should you be the one to stop Caesar?!” “Who else is there?” It is the twilight of the Roman republic.  Liberty and the rule of law are in tatters, withered by an alliance of … Continue reading →

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The Roman Way

Posted on October 17, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Roman Way© 1932 Edith Hamilton281 pages                                         Slave: He saw the girl.                    … Continue reading →

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Conspirata

Posted on March 18, 2010 by smellincoffee

Conspirata© 2009/2010 Robert Harris340 pages “Until this moment, gentlemen, I did not realize the extent to which there were two conspiracies I had to fight. There was the conspiracy which I destroyed, and then there was the conspiracy behind that … Continue reading →

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Cicero

Posted on December 9, 2009 by smellincoffee

Cicero: the Life and Times of Rome’s Greatest Politician© 2001 Anthony Everitt359 pages I’ve been intending to read this for a few months now, but other books have always gotten in the way. As I plan on continuing in Robert … Continue reading →

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Imperium

Posted on February 27, 2009 by smellincoffee

Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome© Robert Harris 2006305 pages I would not have expected to find a novel set in ancient Rome, nor would I expect the author of a mystery novel set in a world where Nazi Germany … Continue reading →

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