Rienzi: The Last of the Roman Tribunes

Classic historical fiction by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who interrupted completion of this book to write Last Days of Pompeii. The tribune Rienzi is pitted against the autocratic monarchy, contrasting republicanism with autocratic monarchy. Based on the historical figure Nicholas Gabrini de Rienzi, who, from a low and despicable situation, raised himself to sovereign authority in Rome, in the fourteenth century; assuming the title of Tribune, and proposing to restore the ancient free republic. This edition retains the original 1835 Prefatory article, adding also the 1848 Prefatory article, and two historical appendices. Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) is the author of The Last Days of Pompeii; Harold the Last of the Saxon Kings; and The Last of the Barons. He was created Baron Lytton of Knebworth in 1866. His varied and highly derivative novels won wide popularity, although he is best remembered for his extremely well-researched historical novels, particularly The Last Days of Pompeii (1834) and Rienzi (1835). A member of Parliament from 1831 to 1841, Bulwer-Lytton was a reformer, but in 1852 he returned to Parliament as a Conservative. In 1858 he was appointed colonial secretary. He was also a successful dramatist. His plays include The Lady of Lyons (1838), Richelieu (1839), and Money (1840).