Anyone looking for good historical fiction, read this

it starts in 1000 BC and ends after Augustine - follows the development of Rome - glosses over a lot as it must but is a great collection of stories and explanations/possible histories for the what and why of Roma - particularly uses the Livy' stories of early Rome but gives them more context

a great book for 15 +

there is adult content - rape - etc. It's Rome - you can guess

be warned right now it is about 25 dollars in hardback but well worth if you got the money lying around