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series Reading Order

Cicero Books in Order

4 Books
2006 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Cicero Series

To follow the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of Rome's greatest orator, you should read Robert Harris's Cicero trilogy in its original publication order. Because the narrative follows Cicero's life chronologically, the publication order is also the chronological order.

  1. Imperium (2006)
  2. Lustrum / Conspirata (2009)
  3. Dictator (2015)

Publication Order of Cicero Books

Here is the release sequence of the novels and the official stage adaptation script:

  • Imperium (2006) – Follows a young Cicero as a provincial lawyer taking on a corrupt governor and climbing the Roman political ladder.
  • Lustrum / Conspirata (2009) – Explores Cicero's consulship in 63 BC as he fights conspiracies while rivals like Julius Caesar begin their ascent.
  • Dictator (2015) – Chronicles Cicero's years in exile, his attempt to make a political comeback, and his final days as the Republic collapses.
  • Imperium: The Cicero Plays (2017) – A two-part stage adaptation script written by Mike Poulton for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Key Reading Caveats and Title Differences

Lustrum vs. Conspirata

The second book in the trilogy has two different titles depending on where you buy it. In the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, the book was published under the title Lustrum. In the United States and several other international markets, it was released as Conspirata. Both titles contain the exact same novel, so you only need to read one of them.

The Stage Adaptation

In 2017, the Royal Shakespeare Company staged a major six-play adaptation of the trilogy under the title Imperium: The Cicero Plays. Adapted for the stage by Mike Poulton, the script was published in book form by Nick Hern Books. The plays are divided into two parts: Part I: Conspirator (adapting Imperium and Lustrum) and Part II: Dictator (adapting Dictator). Reading the script is a great companion experience, but it is best enjoyed after reading the primary novels.

Related Novels by Robert Harris

Readers often ask if Robert Harris's 2003 novel Pompeii is connected to the Cicero trilogy. While both are historical thrillers set in ancient Rome, Pompeii takes place in 79 AD—over a century after the events of Cicero’s life (106–43 BC). The books share no characters or direct plot threads, but Pompeii delivers the same meticulously researched historical atmosphere and is highly recommended for fans of the trilogy.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for the Cicero trilogy?

You should read the trilogy in publication order: Imperium (2006), followed by Lustrum (released as Conspirata in the U.S., 2009), and ending with Dictator (2015).

QAre Lustrum and Conspirata the same book?

Yes. Lustrum is the original UK title, while Conspirata is the US title. They are the exact same book, so you do not need to buy both.

QWho narrates the Cicero trilogy?

The books are narrated by Tiro, the historical secretary and slave of Marcus Tullius Cicero, who invented a famous system of shorthand to record Cicero's speeches.

QWhat is Imperium: The Cicero Plays?

It is a stage adaptation of the trilogy by Mike Poulton, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2017. The script is published as a book by Nick Hern Books.

QIs Robert Harris's Pompeii connected to the Cicero series?

No. While both are Roman historical novels by Robert Harris, Pompeii takes place in 79 AD, more than a century after Cicero's death in 43 BC.

QIs the Cicero series based on a true story?

Yes, the series is a highly researched work of historical fiction based on the real political career of Marcus Tullius Cicero and the fall of the Roman Republic.