Rienzi The Last of the Roman Tribunes

"Rienzi" is a historical novel written by Edward Bulwer Lytton, first published in 1835. It tells the story of Cola di Rienzo, a Roman commoner who rises to power in the 14th century as a result of his populist and nationalist beliefs. The novel begins with Rienzi witnessing the mistreatment of the Roman people by the nobility and the Church. He becomes convinced that the only way to bring justice...