Karl Christ (1923–2008)

A good one-volume survey of the history of Rome. It has a chronological table that is useful.

This is a really outstanding one-volume work that surveys, but not in a superficial manner, the entire history of Rome. As indicated in the subtitle, Christ comprehensively covers both the history and the civilization of the Romans. He provides equal weight to relating the history of Rome while providing excellent commentary on relevant aspects of Roman cultural life and background. This is a difficult task and well-trodden by many other scholars but Christ has done an admirable job.

A thorough biography on Pompey, similar in style and scope to that of Sulla. It looks at Pompey from many angles and doesn't ignore personality and influencing factors, something historical biographies tend to neglect. Sources and interpretations are compared in detail. A smooth read, and though the language is formal, Christ's enthusiasm shines through.

An excellent biography, and the most extensive one you can currently find in German. It gives a well-rounded overview of Sulla and the situation that created him, and manages to strike a balance between showing the good, the bad and the ugly about him. Primary and secondary sources are discussed in depth and give starting points for further reading. The style is very readable and not dry, but still serious and not approaching popular science at any time.