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Ancient Greek and Roman books?

J

james-88

New Member
I want to know what are some good books, either about ancient rome or about ancient greece, or written in the times of ancient rome or ancient greece. Either fiction or non fiction. Anyone know any, besides the Iliad and the Odyssey. And maybe some about like Atlantis, or anything along those lines. And also books about greek mythology.
 
I, Claudius, Robert Graves (or Tacitus, if you want the historical view)
Edith Hamilton's Mythology is a good overview.
Ovid, esp. Metamorphoses.
Petronius, but not if you have easily bruised sensibilities.
Night of the Wolf by Alice Borchardt. Werewolf book, but her history background is good.

I could go on for hours.
 
There is an author called Steven Saylor who has written a variety of murder mystery books set in Ancient Rome. They include a lot of real historical characters and events but the central character is fictional.
 
Originally posted by Lyra
There is an author called Steven Saylor who has written a variety of murder mystery books set in Ancient Rome. They include a lot of real historical characters and events but the central character is fictional.
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Really liked Roman Blood by Stephen Saylor- he does seem to help make Rome 'come alive' IMHO.

Aside from I claudius, I'm told that "First man in Rome" by Colleen McCullough is a fantastic book. As well as her "Caesar". Check them out or compare them with I claudius.

As for Greece, I've always liked David Gemmell's 'Lion of Macedon' (just don't bother with the sequel). I wouldn't say it was heavy on the historical accuracy, but it does capture a lot of excitement with regards to the Spartan legions. Gemmell's always been good at writing heroes.
 
I'm very surprised that nobody has mentioned the Aeneid.

It is the Roman epic.

Also look for Plutarch's Parallel Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans.

Look for Pluto's The Republic.

Look for something by Aristotle or Socrates. These things should really give you an insight into how some ancient Greeks and Romans thought.
 
appologies for the poor spelling but The Twelve Caesars by Seutonius?????? is where lots of the facts and myths of some of the more interesting caesars come from. Livy includes Hannibal vs Rome in one of his books. You could also try Casars campagin dairies. For Greece I've only read Herodotus' The Histories, some of its mad but interesting to see how the ancient Greeks viewed the world.
 
Caesar's Gallic War diaries are great reading, who else could write about how wonderful they were in third person?

Catullus for love poetry, Horace for odes.

History of the Peloponesian War, if you go in for war stuff.
 
Have you tried Valerio Massimo Manfredi ?

I've not read any of his work yet but The Last Legion is waiting on my bookshelf - he's written historical fiction on both Roman & Greek times.
 
Non fiction:

Tacitus
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus - De Vita caesarum - interesting, but definitely not appropriate for little children
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Edward Gibbon - old but still great analysis
A History of Rome Down to the Reign of Constantine - Max Cary, about 1300 pages of genius
A History of Greece to 322 B. C. -N. G. L. Hammond
Alexander the Great - Peter Green
Polibius

Fiction:

Quo vadis? - H. Sienkiewicz
Claudius and Messalina - R. Graves

By the way, Haethurn, as far as I know, Socrates didn't write a word in his life. No point then in looking for his books.;)
 
Originally posted by Idun
By the way, Haethurn, as far as I know, Socrates didn't write a word in his life. No point then in looking for his books.;)
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We can't be sure of that, now, can we? Maybe Xanthippe used to force him to write grocery lists?
 
you might want to pick up bullfinces (sp? mythology came with the collectors editon of age of mythology and its got all these stories on myths
 
Best book I've read as an intro to classical Greece is:

The Greeks by H.D.F. Kitto

It is scholarly, witty, wise and highly entertaining. Can't recommend it enough.

Also of interest on specific areas of Greek life:

Courtesans & Fishcakes - James Davidson
Alexander the Great - Robin Lane Fox
The Spartans - Paul Cartledge

Works from the time:

The Histories - Herodotus
The Last Days of Socrates - Plato

As for modern novels set in classical times I have thoroughly enjoyed Steven Pressfield's three efforts so far:

Gates of Fire, Tides of War and Last of the Amazons
 
Courtesans and Fishcakes - the consuming passions of classical Athens. by James Davidson.

Fascinating insight into the lives (and appetites!) of people of the time.....

John.
 
anyone read Aeschylus or Sophocles?

i don't normally read poetry and Greek poetry makes my head hurt. i really want to get thru Agamemnon, but can only take a few pages at a time.

not sure i'll get to the Sophocles...
 
I enjoyed the Oresteia but can't say I would have finished it without the in depth lectures, discussions, and the knowledge that I would have a test at the end. Very powerful story. The Oedipus trilogy might be easier reading, actually. You may also have a sub-par translation.
 
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