I’ve been on an antiquity fix for the last year. I’ve been reading both history and historical fiction set in the Roman and Greek world. Recommendations>Masters of Rome by Colleen McCollough Grand epic about the historical power players in the Roman Republic in the years leading up to its fall. Very grand in scope with a huge cast of characters >Marcus Didius Falco by Lindsey DavisLower class Roman detective does dirty work for the Emperor and romances a senators daughter. Lots of humor>SPQR by John Maddox Robert’sSenators son Roman detective works behind the scenes to resolve threats to the republic. >Gordianus the Finder by Steven SaylorDark and gritty, very historically accurate. Roman detective brushes shoulders with and barely survives encounters with the great figures of late Roman republic history I have the first book in the Cicero trilogy and I have heard good things about Marius’ Mules.Has anyone read those or any others that they would recommend?
>>24829480I haven't read them myself but Conn Iggulden has a series that focus on Caesar and Octavian, a standalone novel focusing on the story of the 10 thousand, and two duologies also focusing on Greece. He is also writing a trilogy about Nero. You should check him out and see if he fits your style. I really liked his books about Genghis Khan.There's also Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire that focus on the battle of thermopylae.
>>24829623Thanks, I think I’ll check out the Greek ones. Historical fiction set in Rome greatly outnumbers historical fiction set in Greece for whatever reason.>>24829734I forgot to mention that I have the first of this trilogy. I’m looking forward to it.
Augustus by John WilliamsJulian by Gore VidalThe Conspiracy by John HerseyA Pillar of Iron by Taylor CaldwellPompeii by Robert HarrisSpartacus by Howard FastI, Claudius by Robert GravesMemoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz
>>24830202These are good recs. Even though it’s not about Rome I want to flag Creation by Vidal as it hits the axial age in an interesting way. Rosemary Sutcliff’s series (Eagle of the Ninth, etc) is a classic even though it’s intended for kids.
>>24829480>Masters of RomeI've just finished Fortune's Favorites (book 3) and the way McCollough portrays Ceasar really doesn't make me want to read the next two books, which judging by the titles are all about Ceasar. I know the man was talented, but McCollough downright worships him. I recommend First Man in Rome though
>>24830617Again, not Roman but also seconding Creation. It's honestly my favourite novel. Reread it every year. It manages to be both immensely comfy and incredible in scope.
>>24830202Thank you. Augustus and Quo Vaidis are already on my to read list, but I’ve never heard of a pillar of iron or The Conspiracy. How are those two?>>24830617Thank you. Creation seems very intriguing. I’ve avoided Julian because it seemed to me that it would just be an atheist seething about Christianity for 400 pages but Creation, being set before Christianity would avoid that. What else can you tell me about it?>>24830720Colleen definitely had her favorites, I’ve noticed. Idk, on one hand Caesar is the man who brought down a half millennia old republic so maybe really was just that good, but I can understand being annoyed at a author’s pet favorite character who can do no wrong.
>>24829480Marguerite Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian is one of my favourite books overall. It's a fantastic read, but not a riveting story of intrigue if that's what you're after.
>>24831210>I’ve avoided Julian because it seemed to me that it would just be an atheist seething about Christianity for 400 pagesThere is some but its pretty tame compared to his essays.
>>24829623>Steven Pressfield's Gates of FireGreat author.
>>24831220I started this but my life got busy and I dropped it. I have to pick it back up.>>24831963I’m not sure about Pressfield. I prefer more historically grounded historical fiction, but thanks for the rec.
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