My Ancient Rome Book Collection

Here is a list of books concerning Ancient Rome that I have collected so far, any suggestions?

• The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Vol. I-III by Edward Gibbon; Status: 50% read
• The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Ancient Rome by Jon E. Lewis; Status: 100% Read
• The Rise of the Roman Empire by Polybius; Status: 100% Read
• The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome by Chris Scarre; Status: 100% Read
• The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine by Pat Southern; Status: 100% Read
• The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius; Status: 5% Read

I've had Gibbon for a few months already, yet I have been too busy to make much progress on it. I'm about 25% into the second Volume. I recently bought Suetonius because I know little of the period from 27 B.C.-96 A.D. And, yes, if you haven't noticed yet, I am a Rome freak.

I've only just started a Rome Book Collection... 1 book, half read. I like fiction more than non.

• The Fall of Carthage by Adrian Goldsworthy; Status: 50% read

Its a good read, but can be a bore at times. I find that its for older people, really

• In the Name of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy Status: 100% read
• Roman Warfare by Adrian Goldsworthy Status: 100% read
• Caesar: Man, Soldier & Tyrant by Jonathan F.C. Fuller Status: 100% read
• The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius Status: 80% read

• Historic Atlas of the Roman empire
• Battle Tactics of the Ancient World - Book 3: Rome

The Roman Empire by some guy I forgot:original:. No I've read more books, just forgot 'em. I had to for a project on Rome I did.

Adnan

I still want to add Theodor Mommsen's History of Rome to my collection. Anyone read it?

I have never read Mommsen's work, but it is so often referenced in more modern Roman Histories that I feel like I have.

Two more recent books I would include on your list SE:

Caesar, by Christian Meier. An excellent biography.

Rubicon, by Tom Holland. I think this one is only two or three years old, but it is a great history of the Late Republic. Plus, there's lots of very dry humor in it.

The Complete Works of Tacitus by Tacitus
The Oxford History of the Roman World by Boardman, Griffin & Murray
Plutarch's Lives Vol. I-II by Plutarch
The Mammoth Book of Eyewtiness Ancient Rome
The History of Rome from its Foundations Vol. I-IV by Titus Livius
As the Romans Did: Sourcebook in Roman Social History by Jo-Ann Shelton
A History of the Roman People by Ward, Heichelheim, & Yeo
Twelve Ceasers by Seutonius
Works and Days by Hesiod
The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Gallic War/The Civil Wars by Gnaeus Julius Caeser
Rhetorica ad Herennium by Cicero

Roman and Medieval history are my specialties, so the majority of my library consists of primary sources (the classics). I have a lot more, but I found these first. For a good selection on classics to get, look up Loeb Classical Library (from Harvard).

-Twelve Ceasers by Seutonius 35% (in french)
-The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon100% (longest book I ever read but its quit goo)
-Early history of Rome by Livy 90%
-The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome by Chris Scarre 100%
- Rome at War Ceaser and is Legacy by Kate Gilliver, Adrian Goldsworthy and Micheal Whitby 130 % (started to readed again)

What is the most highlt recommended one, for history and good entertainment? I have read a lot on Rome but never any large books or anything.

Originally Posted by hader102

What is the most highlt recommended one, for history and good entertainment? I have read a lot on Rome but never any large books or anything.

If you like warfare try "Rome at War Ceaser and is Legacy" by Osprey books its a good reading. Other like "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon are..... well lets just say the word virtue comes up alot of time.

My list!

• Later Roman Infantrymen (Osprey)
• Later Roman Cavalrymen (Osprey)
• Adrianople (Osprey Campaign)
• Ammianus Marcellenius - The Later Roman Empire
• Later Roman
• Rubicon
• From the Gracchi to Nero
• Caesar (Christian Meirs Biography)
• Caesars Gallic Wars + Civil War (Osprey)
• Roman Infantry Equipment (The Later Empire)
• The Last Pagan (Fantastic book may I add)
• Rome at War 293-696Ad (Osprey)
• The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilisation (READ THIS)
• Horrible History: The Rotten Romans (lmao a fountain of knowledge in this one )

I think I may have a few more kicking about though.

try ]Ceaser by Theadore Ayrault Dodge has over 200-something illustrations and maps

Originally Posted by Stalins Ghost

[*] Horrible History: The Rotten Romans (lmao a fountain of knowledge in this one )

Those books are one of the things that really got me interested in history.

Same here lol! Completely useless to me now of course- but they were a great thing back in their day.

For those of you who have read The Twelve Caesars, just how good/informative is it? Always wanted to read it and was about to order it next week, just was looking for some opinions on it. I noticed when looking for the book I came across "the lives of the twelve caesars" and just "The Twelve Caesars"...I assume it's the same book just printed under two different names.

Originally Posted by Drexx

For those of you who have read The Twelve Caesars, just how good/informative is it? Always wanted to read it and was about to order it next week, just was looking for some opinions on it.

I'm only on page 20, but so far I've gotten a good idea of what Gaius Julius' early career is like. The book has definitions, maps, notes, and a few other things. Sorry I can't give much more, I've only started reading it and have other things that are occupying me right now.

Originally Posted by Drexx

I noticed when looking for the book I came across "the lives of the twelve caesars" and just "The Twelve Caesars"...I assume it's the same book just printed under two different names.

As long as it is by Suetonius, it's the book you're looking for.

Originally Posted by The Seleucid Empire

I'm only on page 20, but so far I've gotten a good idea of what Gaius Julius' early career is like. The book has definitions, maps, notes, and a few other things. Sorry I can't give much more, I've only started reading it and have other things that are occupying me right now.



As long as it is by Suetonius, it's the book you're looking for.

Nice I cant wait to read it, hope I can find a nice hardcover edition.