Books set in Rome?

Any recomendations of books set in the Roman Empire, Roman Republic, etc? I've read A pillar of Iron by Taylor Caldwell, and I'm currently reading Pompeii by Robert Harris, both books are great, have you read similar books? thanks!

I like the Steven Saylor mysteries, starting with Roman Blood. I found his Roma too episodic for my taste, but it is comprehensive and the individual sections were interesting.

Edited to fix typo.

I really liked Imperium about Cicero.

The Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis (starting with The Silver Pigs are atmospheric and well-researched; I just found her rendering of conversation very stilted and unnatural.

And of course I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves

definitely colleen mccullough's series about rome, from just before julius caesar to octavian/caesar augustus. the first one is called the first man in rome and there are 7 i think in the series in total.

Among my favorites are John Williams' AUGUSTUS, US National Book Award winner; Spartacus, Fast's 1951 novel formed the basis for Kubrick's film, which I read a teenager. Another volume which I've read and reread over the years is Imperial Governor, a superb account by a veteran soldier. My favorite period is that of the Later Roman Empire in the West. The struggle between Attila and Aetius is well captured by Cecelia Holland's The Death of Attila, the fateful barbarian crossing of the Rhine in 406 is the subject of Breem's Eagle in the Snow, and last but not least is Gore Vidal's Julian, a very thoughtful account of the last pagan emperor.

I've really enjoyed the Medicus series by Ruth Downie which are set in Britain. That may be too far afield.

https://www.librarything.com/tag/Ancient+Rome,+fiction will probably also give you some ideas. :)

Thanks a lot to everyone!! All books sound great :)

This series follows a centurion of X Legion from the Gallic Wars to the civil wars that followed. I'm on #3 now ...I'll let you read the blurbs. They're big fat books with an easy to read style.

http://www.marchingwithcaesar.com/

Part of The agony and the ecstasy, a fictionalized biography of Michelangelo is set in Rome. Also part of The autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

Not knowing if you read comics, note that the series The Adventures of Alix by Jacques Martin gives excellent scenarios and wonderful visual renditions of ancient rome and the roman world. I particularly recommend les legions perdues.

I've just started reading my Early Reviewer book, Blood and Beauty by Sarah Dunant. Without knowing very much about the times and people I can't speak to the accuracy but, it's an extremely interesting (and fictional) look at the Borgia family (Pope Alexander and his children). It takes place mainly in Rome but also includes Milan, Naples, and other cities.

just starting to read Quo Vadis

Definitely I, Claudius.

Augustus by John Williams I found very surprising. In fact when I finish Cleopatra I will go back and re-read.

#17, Augustus is one of my all time favorite books, really tugs at the emotions.

I'm reading my first (but probably not last) Alfred Duggan novel Winter Quarters it doesn't take place in the city of Rome, but is set during the time of the Caesar/Pompey/Crassus power struggle and is from the POV of a Gallic soldier serving in the Roman army. Interesting perspective, lots of focus on religion(s), but a tad short on action.

Give Me Back My Legions! A Novel of Ancient Rome by Harry Turtledove was a good narration of the Germanic campaigns.

Sounds great!

Oops... sorry for the repost, just mentioned this same book under the thread about historical fiction.

If you like Roman history, check out Robert Harris' Pompeii. He also wrote the books Imperium and Conspirata about Cicero.

Pompeii is set over just two days: the day before Mt. Vesuvius erupted and the day of the disaster. It is told much like a mystery novel. The main character is an engineer sent out by Rome to investigate why the aqueduct at Pompeii has stopped working. While he is conducting his investigation you learn quite a bit about daily life in ancient Roman times. His descripton of what happens during the volcano is fascinating.

Just finished Quo Vadis....the book was a battered but readable 1897 copy translated by Jeramaih Curtin. Sometimes stilted literal translation but it adds character to the writing as you get used to it. It is small wonder that Henryk Sienkiewicz was awarded a Nobel Prize for this work.

#22 Euryanax

There's also Lustrum, the second volume in the Cicero series by Robert Harris.

The Roman by Mika Walteri is one of Waltrei's historical novels.

I just got First Man in Rome but haven't cracked it open yet.

>26 homeschoolmom: The earlier books in the series are better than the later ones--this is one of the best. Just started Spartacus: The Gladiator by Ben Kane. So far, so good.

By accident I ended up reading Saylor's earlier mysteries with Gordianus the finder in parallel with McCollough's series of historical fiction books set in Rome. It was very interesting as there is some significant overlap in the time periods covered; both authors do their homework and their principal characters and "takes" on what is happening provide a fascinating contrast. Both are good writers, which makes this approach an additional pleasure.

(Sorry to have posted in the wrong place, message removed)
Liz, editorial assistant

> 29 Your promotion of your books in areas for readers comments/suggestions is not wanted....this is the second area you have done exactly the same post....you are becoming annoying.