Reading this made me realize how little Roman history I know. What's the best source for learning about the major people and events of that era?
EDIT: I guess what I'm really looking for is a hierarchy of topics, starting extremely broad (e.g. Roman Republic vs. Roman Empire) and drilling down into individual people and events. In other words, I want to do a breadth-first traversal, rather than depth-first.
That's an awesome book. One must remember that it was written by Caesar as a political tool - hence, it's more of a boastful biography rather than an objective non-fiction book. Never the less, the book is great anyhow.
Highly recommend this as well. His audiobook for the Storm before the Storm is also very good for the Republican period between the Gracchi and Marius/Sulla.
Punic Nightmares and Death Throes of the Republic cover other important bits of the Roman Republic, they're both incredibly good, but they aren't free anymore.
- Rubicon by Tom Holland
- SPQR by Mary Beard
- Dynasty by Tom Holland
- Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy (more of a bio on Julius C, a bit drier than the above, has section on Alesia)
Thank you for the recommendation of Rubicon. I enjoyed reading through this thread so I thought I'd take you up on your recommendation. It was this first history book I've read in probably a decade, so I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it but I absolutely loved it.
The Masters of Rome novels by Colleen McCullough are historically accurate, incredibly dramatic, gripping and realistic. They tell the story of Rome from the birth of Caesar in the Republic to the ascension of his successor Augustus in the Empire.
I, Claudius by Robert Graves is fascinating and very readable. One of the greatest examples of historical fiction. All of the major events of the book are historically accurate, and Graves just brings them to life with dialog and his knowledge of daily life in Rome. The sequel Claudius the God, is good, but honestly covers a less interesting period in Roman history.
Historically accurate-ish; she’s clear in her author’s notes that she created some characters to fill gaps. Would second the recommendation, though. The major events are generally real enough, and it’s a compelling way to read about it.
I recommend the TV series "I Claudius". Of course, you can read it as books as well, but I enjoyed the series. The books I have not read. Of course, it only covers a limited period of Roman history, but one that is quite famous.
EDIT: I guess what I'm really looking for is a hierarchy of topics, starting extremely broad (e.g. Roman Republic vs. Roman Empire) and drilling down into individual people and events. In other words, I want to do a breadth-first traversal, rather than depth-first.