What are the best historical fiction novels set in the. Best historical fiction about ancient rome the best books about the roman world, including both the roman republic and the roman empire. More important to me currently is my work in progress, not currently titled, about carbo, a veteran of the roman legions. Joanne berry teaches ancient history and archaeology at swansea university. I enjoyed it so much i have already bought the other three books in the set. Sep 07, 2017 the sparrow and the hall by donald mace williams.
Apr 26, 2014 historical fiction, written by a 28 year u. If you want a good short colourful introduction to the roman military you could look no further than osprey publishings many books on the subject on ospreys ancient world book list. The great roman general marcus furius camillus is featured. May 10, 20 posts about roman legion written by tigers68. When asked to sum up the series in ten words, the author came up with, ballista, warrior of rome, hard action, high scholarship, low humour. I will do battles in my own novels, but much prefer civilian intrigue. The city is a deeply historical place, one with many cultural generations and even today, the sights there are marvellous to behold, unlike many other places in the world. The colosseum is a strong reminder of the power of the italian capital. It follows the roman general belisarius with a fantasy twist. The series follows ballista, a barbarian who has become a leader in the later roman army. Legionary books official website of author james mace unless otherwise noted, all reenactment images on this site courtesy of the ermine street guard, copywrite 2018, and are used with permission. You used to be able to get the first three books free on the baen free library, but it looks like theyve removed them due to their restructuring and such. One ofthe more well known authors of this type of historical fiction is rosemary sutcliff, a british author who primarily wrote stories set during romanoccupied britain circa1st5th centuries.
May 09, 2018 i would highly recommend robert harris books set in roman times. A tale of military adventure and reckless heroism with the roman legions. Part of the story is set on the first few years of the republic. A roman legion novel ebook written by simon scarrow. Fiction set in the roman era sometimes features women, slaves, socalled barbarians, children, and even pets. A list of the major authors of roman fiction, past and present plus one aspiring one, see if you can spot which one that is. Top ten roman historical fictionnon fiction books on.
Mistress of rome by kate quinn, i, claudius by robert graves, cleopatras daughter by michelle moran, the. A legion for westeros chapter 1, an a song of ice and fire. This book is set on the cusp of the 5th and 4th centuries bc, about a roman girl married to an etruscan man in the events leading up to the war between rome and veii. His publications include soldiers, cities, and civilians in roman syria. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read under the eagle. One of the more well known authors of this type of historical fiction is rosemary sutcliff, a british author who primarily wrote stories set during roman occupied britain circa 1st5th centuries. The complete roman legions by nigel pollard, joanne berry. In this first book of a new historical fiction series, a crack roman legion invades britain in this brazen tale of military adventure, political intrigue and heroism it is the year 42 ad, and centurion macro, battlescarred and fearless, is in the heart of germany with the second legion, the toughest in the roman army. The first man in rome by colleen mccullough, the forgotten legion by ben kane, medicus by ruth downie, the gates of.
The following books are recommended works of fiction with a main setting of either ancient rome or ancient greece. A tale of military adventure and reckless heroism with the roman legions ebook written by simon scarrow. Vatican city, headquarters of the roman catholic church, which is the backdrop of many interesting books and movies. The 100 works of fiction which will be discussed in this paper provide a history from romulus founding until the final rummaging through the ashes. The roman legionary in latin legionarius, plural legionarii was a professional heavy infantryman of the roman army after the marian reforms. What are the best historical fiction novels set in the roman. He loves his wife and children, helps his neighbors, and, above all, is unswervingly loyal to keelwolf, the thane who virtually rules this part of northumbria. Ive really been on an ancient rome binge as of late, and im looking for some more. The forgotten legion by ben kane the forgotten legion chronicles. Its not as old as any of the other books mentioned, but it is a fantastic book, that spreads into a fantastic series. The arresting sixth novel in simon scarrows epic series of the roman army. Simon scarrow is a popular novelist from the united kingdom, who is best known for his novels based on the historical fiction genre. The winner in this category has to be steven saylors 11 book series abo.
Five recommended roman historical novels richard blake. Perfect for fans of bernard cornwell and conn iggulden. What i loved most about this historical novel is the. Ancient rome historical fiction, historical fiction, books barnes. What are the best historical fiction novels set in the roman empire. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage indepth discussion about all things related to books. The year is ad42 and cato has just arrived in germany as a new and raw recruit assigned to the second legion, well known throughout the roman army as the toughest legion. Without sneering at it, i have no taste for military historical fiction. A roman legion latin legio, military levy, conscription, from legere to choose was a large military unit of the roman army.
As a fan of roman history books, both fact and fiction i really did enjoy this book because all the main characters are real, they lived. Praetor manius tullus, a cannae survivor, leads legio xvii on a 30month independent expedition to face battlehardened gallic and germanic tribes in northern italy and austria. More interesting for us, her books are also filled with plenty of bloody battles, dirty fights. The ancient roman legions made up one of the most badass armies known to history. In this first book of a new historical fiction series, a crack roman legion invades. That shouldnt be so easy as this series takes place in one of my favorite periods of ancient history and involves some of the more colorfulpowerful men in romes history and as such i expect a lot from writers who tackle those subject matters. Once again i found myself enthralled by a book by s. The best books about the roman world, including both the roman republic and the roman empire. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Till date, he has written a total of 5 novel series and the most notable novel series written by him is the eagle series. Central to the plot is a slave revolt in crete, and scarrow succeeds in portraying the perspective of both the rebel slaves and the roman soldiers. He was educated at the university of east anglia and was a history professor before becoming a fulltime writer. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the gladiator. The cicero trilogy is great, and pompeii is certainly a superb thriller.
What i like above all, however, in historical fiction is a sense of moving in a different moral environment from our own. Ruled by caesar magnus, the empire is defended by legion draconis, plus the u. Best historical fiction about ancient rome 334 books goodreads. Based on a true story of a roman legion that disappeared on an expedition. This is the first in a series of books about quintus licinius cato, optio second in command to macro a centurion and veteran of more than one campaign in the roman legions. Best historical fiction about ancient rome 334 books. Battle born 2015 by ben soden the first book in a series based on a fictional group of roman legionary antiheroes. Best ancient rome books fiction and nonfiction useless book club. Roman history through a hundred novels historical novel society.
Nigel pollard lectures on roman history and archaeology at swansea university. I would highly recommend robert harris books set in roman times. I have some lined up still, but im interested to see what you guys would recommend. Meluch take place in the palatine empire, centered around the planet roma nova. Gladiator though is a return to the form of the early books in the series. This is a list of roman legions, including key facts about each legion, primarily focusing on the principate early empire, 27 bc 284 ad legions, for which there exists substantial literary, epigraphic and archaeological evidence. Books about a hypothetical roman legion lost in china. When lucius tullus gambles on a foot race between rival legionaries, he has no. A new book in simon scarrows longrunning series about the roman army is always a joy the times. The eagle and the wolves is the gripping fourth novel in simon scarrows bestselling eagles of the empire series. Quick guide to roman authors roman fiction by alex gough.
The expedition takes place during the 2nd punic war and includes authentic roman history. Edgar is a churl on a small farm in england during the seventh century. The first man in rome by colleen mccullough, the forgotten legion by ben kane, medicus by ruth downie, the gates of rome. Traitors legion ace g532,1963 by jay scotland, a swashbucker about a disgraced legion, set in hannibals time. Author of the warrior of rome series, set in the later imperial period, and centred around the roman military leader of germanic origin, ballista. The plot is well constructed, a cut above the usual roman military tourism. Befriending them, the king, along with ser barristan, returns to their camp.
While hunting boar in the kingswood, robert baratheon discovers a lost band of sell swords who speak a barely recognizable dialect of free cities valyrian. Fictional legion raised in rome to campaign across the germanic and northern borders of the empire, after defeating an upstart slave rebellion in gaul. A roman legion novel paperback may 28, 20 by simon scarrow author. Rome is italys capital which is known for its art, architecture and cultural symbols worldwide. We bring you a list of fiction books set in the roman empire that will make you feel you are right in the city experiencing all the history. Turtledove also wrote agent of byzantium appeared as isaac asimov presents agent of byzantium, ny 1987, a political intrigue thriller set in midbyzantine period 10811453. Who says that all historical fiction is dull and boring. A good story about the expansion of roman rule north as well as the effects on this caused by hannibal being in southern italy. Despite being set almost 2000 years ago, her books are still filled with ideas that we can all relate to today. These soldiers would conquer and defend the territories of the roman empire during the late republic and principate eras, alongside auxiliary and cavalry detachments. It is a turbulent time in northumbria, but edgar tends to his. Osprey have books on every aspect of the roman military, from auxiliary forts, to late roman cavalrymen, to titles on roman battles such as philippi, actium. Readers are immersed in battle strategy, tactics, and fighting.
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