Robert Harris, the bestselling author of historical fiction, has drawn parallels between the politics of Ancient Rome and the current era, suggesting we may be moving into a "post-democratic" age. In an interview, he discussed his latest novel, Agrippa, which tells the story of the Roman general who was the right-hand man to Emperor Augustus.
Harris, 69, explained that Agrippa's life spanned the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of rule by dictators. He noted that while a facade of the old system was preserved, it was effectively a sham, and Roman power-sharing democracy had gone. "You do feel we're moving into a potentially a post-democratic era now," he said.
From Pompeii to Agrippa
Harris, who made his name with the 1992 bestseller Fatherland, took a commercial risk with his fourth book, Pompeii, set in Ancient Rome. Despite initial concerns from his editor, the book was a triumph and opened new creative avenues. He subsequently completed a bestselling trilogy on the life of Cicero, adapted for the stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His latest novel, Agrippa, is his fifth outing to Ancient Rome in over two decades. Harris described Agrippa as a "staggering figure" and ideal for a novelist because so little is known of his inner life. "We don't have any letters, no speech survives, and we don't know his family origins. And yet he was co-ruler of the Roman world for years and the architect of Augustus's victories," he said.
Politics and Performance
Harris, who has written books on 20th century British politics, including The Ghost, Munich, and Precipice, sees echoes of Rome in contemporary politics. He commented on the recent Labour leadership change, describing Andy Burnham as "a natural politician" and a "glad-hander" who likes performing and talking to people. In contrast, he said Keir Starmer "always looked completely frozen."
The author also noted the sophistication of Augustus's public image operation, despite the emperor being physically unremarkable. "He was feeble and round-shouldered, with bad teeth, a pimply complexion and often ill. But the only statues that were ever issued of him were of a kind of young Apollo," Harris observed.
Agrippa by Robert Harris (Cornerstone, £22) is published on August 27.
