Cicero (Episodes I-VI)

By: David Llewellyn

Narrated by: Samuel Barnett, George Naylor, Samantha Béart, Simon Ludders, Paul Clayton, Stephen Critchlow, Sarah Douglas

Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Rome, 80 BC. An age of bloody civil war and dictatorship is at an end. 

In its turbulent aftermath, an ambitious young lawyer, Marcus Tullius Cicero, is beginning to make a name for himself. But does he have what it takes, and can this new era of peace and prosperity truly last?  

When he defends the accused in a prominent murder trial, Cicero's path crosses with that of Sulla, the former dictator and a war hero of the Republic. Soon, Cicero will discover that beneath Rome’s civilised and sophisticated veneer lies corruption, cruelty and vice. Taking on the Roman underworld may come at a considerable cost, and so Cicero must find a way to balance family and friendship with his unwavering commitment to justice.  

The Roman world is on the brink of revolution. The age of Caesar is drawing near. And Cicero will have to do everything he can to survive the storm.  

Directed by Scott Handcock.

Produced by David Richardson.

Executive Producers Nicholas Briggs and Jason Haigh-Ellery.

©2018 Big Finish Productions (P)2018 Big Finish Productions

Critic reviews

"This is simply some of the finest story-telling you’ll come across, in any medium. The music and sound design are used perfectly here. It’s not extravagant, it’s excellent. Performances across the board, are layered and grounded from a script which is passionate, fast paced and thoughtful. The direction couldn’t have been handled better making this another Big Finish Original masterpiece." (Blogtor Who)

I didn’t realize Cicero was English

I enjoyed this novel way of learning about Cicero and his times. The main actors spoke like jolly old chaps and used phrases that were quite British. A few of the supporting actors use
more formal speech ala Richard Burton and attempt to sound like Romans. That made it more believable. The female actors were very quiet and restrained in an English speaking way and were not very good. Still, I was able to put this aside and still enjoy the story for what it was. I hope they make more of these and resurrect Richard Burton if possible, at least for the accent we are used to from the movies!

This is poetry

"I've always worried about him.

Because I'm not sure this is a world made for men who think with such intensity.

Intelligent men, learned men, yes, but Marcus isn't just a scholar.

He thinks. He questions.

Ours is a world in which the questioning man is often deemed suspicious, untrustworthy, and, at the very least, disloyal.

His tenacity is an admirable quality.

But I worry that one day it might get him into trouble."

----- Piso with Terentia on Marcus Tullius Cicero

Must Listen

Excellent production with great performances all around and a well-paced compelling story. Hope they produce a sequel!

When in Rome

This was a wonderfully entertaining listen and rather different to Big Finish Productions mostly science fiction oriented output. It is set whilst Cicero is still a young man making his way in Rome as a lawyer. It wears its learning lightly and dramatises the everyday life of an ancient city with its pleasures and problems in a way that still seems very relevant. The acting is uniformly superb and the sound effects and music well thought out but unobtrusively used to evoke Rome in both its splendour and squalor.

It will be interesting to hear the newly released two hour special which skips forward 20 years to when he has become an established political figure caught up in the seemingly endless internecine machinations for power leading to the Triumvirates and the eventual beginning of the reign of the Caesars.

Brilliant

Really enjoyed the story and the performances were fantastic!
Shame there aren’t anymore series.
Thanks