Join Me on a Stroll Through the Seven Hills ...
Behind my contemporary exterior - the one that loves clean lines and simplicity, that revels in new technology, that can't live without a modern bathroom - beats a heart passionate about ancient Rome. From the birth of the republic to the demise of the empire, I find everything about it just endlessly fascinating. In particular, the political machinations from about 200 B.C. on.
While I did go back to class at one point to study Roman history, much of what I have learned has been gleaned from the treasure trove of fiction set in various times and places within the Roman empire. Not the most perfect way to learn but certainly one of the most fun.
What follows here is a collection of recommendations for you should you want to travel back in time for some entertainment. These are books I've actually read, so I'll continue to add as I discover new books and authors. Enjoy!!
While Rome started as a monarchy, it's revered through history as a republic, quite the rarity during the B.C. age. For me, it's a time of raucous rabble-rousing from the Gracchi brothers, fights between aristocrats and plebs and expansion on all fronts. I'll include books here that take us up to the time when Caesar moves into power, unless they're specifically about him.
(Hmm. I seem to be light on this period. Need to read more!)
Imperium by Robert Harris
The life of Cicero
Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome
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I just finished reading this and enjoyed at least the middle. Actually, it was interesting to read more about Cicero as he's often a side character in other stories. He's portrayed much more sympathetically (obviously) in this book than in ones focused on Caesar. I wouldn't recommend this as a first dive into Rome, though.
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Great (and ignominious) debates happened in the Senate. Not much changes, does it?
This is actually a period of revolution for Rome, one that didn't necessarily start with Caesar, but which he took advantage of. By the time the "patriots" and artistocrats brought him down in 44 B.C., it was too late for the beloved republic. Octavian (Caesar Augustus) finished off what Caesar had started and the empire was born.
Caesar has been a fascinating figure throughout history and so I've given him his own section as a bridge between the republic and the empire. Included here are books where he is the focus of the story.
Masters of Rome
The First Man In Rome
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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All About Caesar
Gaius Julius CaesarFully, Caius Iulius Caii filius Caii nepos Caesar Imperator ("Gaius Julius Caesar, son of Gaius, grandson of Gaius, Imperator"). Official name after deification in 42 BC: Divus Iulius ("The Divine Julius"). ( in Classical Latin; conventionally in English), (13 July 100 BCThere is some dispute over the date of Caesar's birth. The day is sometimes stated to be 12 July when his feast-day was celebrated after deification, but this was because his true birthday clashed with t...
Can you imagine attending the spectacles in the Coliseum?
What is Your Favorite Period to Read About?
After Caesar's death, there were struggles for power and attempts to return Rome to a republic. Emerging from the chaos was Octavian, later known as Caesar Augustus. He strong-armed the city from a triumvarate to single emperor and so was born the Roman Empire.
(Again, I'm light on books here. I'll work on it!!)
Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow
Under the Eagle: A Tale of Military Adventure and Reckless Heroism with the Roman Legions
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Throne of Isis by Judith Tarr
Looking at Rome through Cleopatra's eyes
Throne of Isis
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Pompeii by Robert Harris
Pompeii: A Novel
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Release Date: 11/08/2005
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By far my life-long favorite type of book, mysteries set in ancient Rome are far from the CSI type crime scenes you see today. That's part of the fascination, I think. To solve any crime without any of the science we use today seems downright impossible. And yet, these clever men manage to do it. (Need to find me some clever women!)
Gordianus the Finder by Steven Saylor
Roman Blood: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome)
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Release Date: 04/15/2008
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Roman Whodunits
Marcus Didius Falco by Lindsey Davis
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Libertus by Rosemary Rowe
I've only read this specific book and out of order at that. So it's the only one I've included until I get a better feel for the series.
A Coin for the Ferryman (Libertus Mystery Series)
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Ancient Roman Fiction on Wikipedia
There is a large body of modern fiction set in ancient Rome. The following titles listed include only those that are substantially (more than half) or entirely set in the city of Rome during any period up to the Byzantine empire. It does not include works set partially in Rome, nor does it include all works set in the Roman Republic or the Roman Empire. For works set in the Roman empire but not in the city of Rome, please see Fiction set in the Roman empire for a list of all works set in the ancient Roman world.
Titles include:
The marketplace bustled with visitors the world over wanting to trade with Rome.
Other Resources
- Fictional Rome
- Hands down the best resource out there. You can look for a book by the period it covers, main character or genre.
What's On Your Book Shelf?
Share my fascination with Rome? Think I need to get with the times? Let's hear from you!
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- Psychic_Sild Psychic_Sild Jun 25, 2009 @ 8:59 am
- Conn Iggulden's Emperor series is the forerunner in my opinion. Like you I am fascinated by all that is Roman, the fact that so much that was good was overshadowed by the very mistakes we make today. Good lens
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- CrypticFragments CrypticFragments Sep 22, 2008 @ 12:47 am
- how on earth have I missed this til now? awesome lens Susan 5* of course and lensrolled to my lenses on ancient Rome
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- Nick Henry Nick Henry Jul 1, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
- Hello there, you made a great page here and I thought I would pitch my own novel. Obviously there are a few kinks in it, and its most surely not up to Par with the likes of McCullough, I still wanted to mention it.
"Raelina's Flowers" by Nicholas Henry
From the point of view of a survivor of the Teutonvald Massacre of 9AD, bring many aspects into it, including one of the first chivalrous heroes (according to me :) )... and a good deal of german culture via Tacitus.
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