Power play

British novelist Robert Harris’s latest work is a reflection on tyranny, corruption and betrayal among all-powerful political leaders.

You might be forgiven for thinking it’s a contemporary thriller — it’s actually historical fiction set in ancient Rome.

A former BBC journalist, Harris debuted as a novelist in 1992 with Fatherland, an alternative history where Nazi Germany won the Second World War.

Since then, the prolific author has become best-known for his works of historical fiction, especially his ancient Rome trilogy released from 2006-2015 and the novel Conclave, which was published in 2016 and was made into the film of the same name in 2024.

His latest, Agrippa, returns to Rome, exploring the life of the titular general and engineer, Marcus Vipsanius, known in life and legend by the nickname Agrippa.

The novel opens in 12 BC, with the sickly Agrippa returning wearily from yet another battle, determined to complete his memoirs.

“Over the years, my reputation has grown and hardened like armour around me,” Agrippa tells us. “And it is this reputation that has led me, by an unexpected turn of events, at the age of fifty, to begin setting down my memories.”

Narrating in the first person, Agrippa tells us that he was born a plebeian, or commoner, in Rome, but gets sent to an elite school thanks to a secret benefactor.

Here, Agrippa befriends the weakly outcast Octavius, soon finding out that Octavius’s uncle is the despised dictator Julius Caesar.

Agrippa comes to admire Caesar, who in turn appreciates Agrippa’s loyalty to him and to Octavius.

When Julius Caesar is assassinated, Octavius is named as Caesar’s heir but has to fight to be recognized — with Agrippa to help him.

But while Octavius succeeds in taking over Rome, Agrippa becomes one of the biggest power players behind the scenes.

Harris skilfully depicts the give-and-take relationship between Octavius and Agrippa.

Octavius values Agrippa’s military and political expertise, but keeps the credit for himself.

Meanwhile, Agrippa accepts Octavius’s arrogance, cruelty and greed since Agrippa still benefits from their relationship.

Agrippa even agrees to divorce his beloved wife and remarry Octavius’s niece to cement a political alliance. “(T)here were things I wanted to do — to avoid more wars if possible, and to build: to leave behind great construction projects in Rome and throughout the empire for the benefit of future generations. If that meant giving up my marriage, then so be it,” he admits.

Along with recounting Agrippa’s military triumphs, Harris covers his storied engineering career, especially his constructing the original Roman Parthenon.

Harris’s journalistic background shows in his direct, readable prose, simplifying the complexities of ancient Roman politics for readers.

However, readers unfamiliar with Roman history may have trouble keeping track of characters, especially those with similar names to the main characters.

Some historical fiction novelists, such as Sharon Kay Penman and Bernard Cornwell, seem to take particular pleasure in describing gory battle and torture scenes.

Harris does include plenty of historical cruelties, such as the Roman practice of proscription — strategically picking wealthy but innocent citizens to be executed so the government can steal their fortunes.

However, he recounts them matter-of-factly and kindly spares readers the details.

He also adds a few sly modern commentaries, such as when Agrippa notes, “I had seen how much the poor suffered, in peacetime as well as war, and how often our soldiers had gone hungry. Let the rich who ordered them about now have a taste of it.”

Agreed.

Kathryne Cardwell is a writer in Treaty One territory.