Historical Novels: Ancient HistoryGreece, Rome, the British Isles, Egypt and the Middle EastFor news on the latest reviews, author interviews and additions to this site, see the blog. Novels of ancient history for young people are listed on the YA Ancient History page. Jump to: Ancient Greece Ancient Greece
The history of Ancient Greece stretches into prehistory, as myths and legends hint at what may have happened before the time of written history. After Hermann Schliemann unearthed magnificent gold artifacts in the 1870s at the Turkish site that he believed to be the location of ancient Troy, based on evidence in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, scholars gained new respect for the value of Homer's grasp of history. Modern archaeologists, excavating deeper, have found a series of cities built on top of each other, including a walled city which appears to have been destroyed by war, whose date corresponds to that of ancient Troy. Ancient Crete, destroyed around 1400 B.C., is another civilization we have come to know from both legend and archaeology. The strange tale of the Minotaur, half-man, half-bull, seemed mere fantasy until the the bull-dancers painted on the walls of the Palace at Knossos suggested the vein of truth behind the legend. History came into being with accounts like those of the Greek historians Herodotus, Thucydides and Xenophon, who wrote about the war with Persia and Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens in the fifth century B.C.. Their accounts, laced with vivid anecdotes about Persian and Greek leaders, have inspired many historical novels. Alexander the Great, the fourth century Macedonian warrior-king who conquered most of the world known to the Greeks of his day, is still recalled in the Middle East and beyond with tales praising him as an ancestor or reviling him as a devil. Historians from the first century B.C. to the second century A.D., who had access to sources now lost, provide the historical basis for a variety of superb novels. Jump to Mystery Novels
Alessandro Baricco, An Iliad (2004), a retelling of the Iliad which focuses on the human characters and leaves out the appearances of the gods and goddesses. Henry Bauchau, Oedipus on the Road (1990 in the original French; first English edition 1997), about Oedipus during his years of wandering, the period Sophocles left out of his plays. Katharine Beutner, Alcestis (2010), a literary novel based on the myth of Alcestis, who agreed to die in place of her husband. Review or Author Interview Charles Rowan Beye, Odysseus: A Life (2004), a fictional "biography" of this legendary survivor of the Trojan War. Nancy Bogen, Klytaimnestra, Who Stayed at Home Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Firebrand (1987), a feminist perspective of the Trojan War seen through the eyes of a Kassandra raised by Amazons. Gillian Bradshaw, Render Unto Caesar (2003), about a Greek trader who travels to Rome to try to collect money owed to his family. Gillian Bradshaw, The Sun's Bride Bryher, Gate to the Sea Grant Buday, Dragonflies M.N.J. Butler, The Fox Moyra Caldecott, The Lily and the Bull (1979), about life in ancient Crete; self-published. Taylor Caldwell, Glory and the Lightning
Christian Cameron, Storm of Arrows (2009), about an Athenian in love with a Scythian warrior-princess, who leads his band of mercenary soldiers against Alexander's army; #2 in the Tyrant series. Christian Cameron, Funeral Games (2010), about the brother-sister twins, heirs to a rich Black Sea kingdom, who become fugitives after their mother is killed and must journey west to take shelter with their father's old friend Diodorus, himself in the midst of a violent struggle for power after the death of Alexander the Great; #3 in the Tyrant series. Christian Cameron, King of the Bosporus Christian Cameron, Killer of Men (2010), about a Greek farm boy enslaved after a battle who vows vengeance as Persian armies threaten Greece; #1 in the Long War series. Christian Cameron, Marathon: Freedom or Death (2011), about the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., which pitted the Greeks against the invading Persians; #2 in the Long War series. Christian Cameron, God of War (2012), about Alexander the Great.
Lenny Cavallaro, The Trojan Dialogues Mike Chapman, Achilles Lindsay Clarke, The War at Troy Lindsay Clarke, The Return from Troy (2005), about the homecoming of Greek leaders who fought in the Trojan War. Les Cole, The Sea Kings: The Prophecy Les Cole, Lion at Sea: The Prophecy Continues Les Cole, The Sea Peoples: The Prophecy Resolved Elizabeth Cook, Achilles (2002), a literary novel about Achilles, the heroic Greek warrior who fought in the Trojan War. Review Laurel Corona, Penelope's Daughter (2010), a retelling of Homer's Odyssey from the perspective of the daughter of Odysseus and Penelope. J.B. Dath, Olympia 420 William Stearns Davis, A Victor of Salamis: A Tale of the Days of Xerxes, Leonidas and Themistocles (1907), about the Greeks who defended their homeland from the Persian invasion. L. Sprague de Camp, An Elephant for Aristotle L. Sprague de Camp, The Golden Wind (1969), about a second century B.C. Greek navigator who attempts a sea voyage from Egypt to India by sailing around the coast of Africa. John Dempsey, Ariadne's Brother Alfred Duggan, Besieger of Cities Amanda Elyot, The Memoirs of Helen of Troy (2005), a retelling of the legendary story of Helen of Troy, whose beauty led to the Trojan War. John Erskine, The Private Life of Helen of Troy (1925), about the legendary Helen of Troy. Michael Curtis Ford, The Ten Thousand (2001), about the Athenian soldier Xenophon and his army of ten thousand mercenaries who set out to join a war against the Persians. Sarah B. Franklin, Daughter of Troy (1998), about Briseis, the captive who becomes Achilles' mistress during the Trojan War. John Gardner, The Wreckage of Agathon David Gemmell, Lord of the Silver Bow (2005), historical fantasy set in the Trojan War period; #1 in the Troy series. David Gemmell, Shield of Thunder (2006), historical fantasy set in the Trojan War period; #2 in the Troy series. David Gemmell, Fall of Kings (2007), historical fantasy set in the Trojan War period; #3 in the Troy series. Margaret George, Helen of Troy (2006), about the woman at the center of the Trojan War. Ellen Gilchrist, Anabasis: A Journey to the Interior Laura Gill, Helen's Daughter William Golding, The Double Tongue (1995), about a woman who becomes a Delphic oracle; Golding died with this novel still in "second draft" form. Jo Graham, Stealing Fire (2010), historical fantasy about Lydias of Miletus who follows Ptolemy to Egypt, after Alexander's death causes his empire to fall apart and the Goddess Isis urges Ptolemy to protect Egypt. Robert Graves, Homer's Daughter Robert Graves, The Golden Fleece Peter Green, The Laughter of Aphrodite (1993), about the ancient Greek poet Sappho of Lesbos. Judith Hand, Voice of the Goddess Victor Davis Hanson, The End of Sparta (2011), about a farmer who serves in the Theban army under Epaminondas during the Battle of Leuktra. Terence Hawkins, The Rage of Achilles T.L. Higley, Shadow of Colossus (2008), historical romance about a woman on the Greek island of Rhodes in 227 B.C.; Christian message; #1 in the planned Seven Wonders series Tom Holt, The Walled Orchard, a darkly comic novel set in Athens during the Peloponnesian War; originally published as two novels, Goatsong and The Walled Orchard. Tom Holt, Alexander at the World's End Tom Holt, Olympiad Homer, The Iliad, the classic epic poem written in ancient history (800 B.C.) about the Trojan War. Homer, The Odyssey, an epic poem based on legends about the wanderings of Odysseus, a Greek survivor of the Trojan War, and his return home to Ithaca; written around the eighth century B.C. Peter Huby, Pasiphae, based on the Greek myth about Pasiphae, the wife of the Cretan King Minos, and her passion for a white bull.
Glyn Iliffe, The Gates of Troy (2009), about Odysseus and his efforts to find Achilles and persuade him to join the warriors of Greece in the war against Troy after Helen is Sparta is abducted; #2 in the Adventures of Odysseus series. Glyn Iliffe, The Armour of Achilles (2010), about Odysseus near the end of the Trojan War; #3 in the Adventures of Odysseus series.
John James, Not For All the Gold in Ireland Erica Jong, Sappho's Leap, about the poetess from the Greek Isle of Lesbos. Faith L. Justice, Selene of Alexandria, about a young woman from a family of Greek Christians who yearns to become a physician; self-published. Peter Katsionis, Patrida: A Novel of the Pankration E.S. Kraay, The Olympian: A Tale of Ancient Hellas Lyndall Baker Landauer, The Man Who Saved Athens (2002), about Themistokles, who successfully defended Athens from the Persians during the fifth century B.C.; self-published. C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces (1956), a literary retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth, set in a fictional kingdom. Morgan Llywelyn, The Elementals, a four-part novel that links stories based on the destruction of the legendary Atlantis and the earthquake that destroyed Knossos with stories set in contemporary New England and in the future. Ki Longfellow, Flow Down Like Silver (2009), about Hypatia of Alexandria, a pagan woman scholar in Greek Alexandria who was murdered by a Christian mob in 415 A.D. Annabel Lyon, The Golden Mean (2010), about Aristotle, who reluctantly accepts Philip of Macedon's request that he tutor Philip's son Alexander. Review David Malouf, Ransom (2009), a poetic novel inspired by the Iliad which focuses on the Trojan king Priam's visit to Achilles in the Greek camp after the deaths of Patroclus and Hector. Review
Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Child of a Dream, about Alexander the Great; #1 in the Alexander trilogy. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Sands of Ammon, about Alexander the Great; #2 in the Alexander trilogy. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Ends of the Earth, about Alexander the Great; #3 in the Alexander trilogy. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, The Talisman of Troy Valerio Massimo Manfredi, The Lost Army (2008), about Xenophon's mistress, who accompanied his army of ten thousand Greek mercenaries in 410 B.C. in their effort to take the throne of Persia for Cyrus the Younger.
Jon Edward Martin, The Headlong God of War, about the Greek defense against the Persian invading force in 480 B.C.; self-published. Jon Edward Martin, In Kithairon's Shadow, about the Greek defense against the Persians after the Battle of Thermopylae in 490 B.C.; self-published. Jon Edward Martin, Shades of Artemis, about the Spartan commander Brasidas and the Peloponnesian War; self-published. F. Van Wyck Mason, Lysander (1956), about a young soldier at the time of Alexander the Great. Zachary Mason, The Lost Books of the Odyssey (2008), an experimental literary novel written in the form of an imagined lost original text of Homer's Odyssey. Colleen McCullough, The Song of Troy, about the Trojan War. John McLeod, The Lion of Macedonia (2005), about the childhood and adolescence of Alexander the Great; #1 in the Alexander series; self-published. John McLeod, Lord of the World (2006), about Alexander the Great from the time of his Persian campaign to his campaign on the borders of India; #2 in the Alexander series; self-published. John McLeod, God of War (2008), about Alexander the Great from his later military campaigns to the end of his life; #3 in the Alexander series; self-published. Mark Merlis, An Arrow's Flight (1998), a novel about Achilles' gay son which moves from a swinging modern city where he waits tables and works as a hustler back to ancient Troy where he is called to fulfill a prophecy that he will win the victory his father could not. Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles (2011), about Achilles, a Greek hero in the Trojan War, and his boyhood friend Patroclus. Nicholas Nicastro, Antigone's Wake, a novel of warfare about the Athenian general Pericles. Nicholas Nicastro, Empire of Ashes: A Novel of Alexander the Great, a novel of warfare about Alexander. Nicholas Nicastro, The Isle of Stone, about the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens. Scott Oden, Men of Bronze, about a Phoenician warrior in 526 B.C. during the wars between Egypt and Persia. Scott Oden, Memnon, about Memnon of Rhodes, who fought on the Persian side against Alexander the Great. Max Overton, Lion of Scythia Max Overton, The Golden King Max Overton, Funeral in Babylon Francesca Petrizzo, Memoirs of a Bitch (2011), about Helen of Troy. John H. Pollard, Helen, Queen of Sparta (2004), about the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta and her use as a pretext for a war against Troy which was seen as a threat to Greek shipping; self-published. Richard Powell, Whom the Gods Would Destroy
Steven Pressfield, Tides of War, a novel of warfare about the Athenian general Alcibiades. Steven Pressfield, Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae, a novel of warfare about the Spartan defense at Thermopylae. Steven Pressfield, The Virtues of War, a novel of warfare about Alexander the Great; #1 in a series. Steven Pressfield, The Afghan Campaign, a novel of warfare about Alexander the Great; #2 in a series.
Jane Rawlings, The Penelopeia (2003), a novel in verse form about the adventures of Penelope, Odysseus' wife, when she travels to consult the Pythian oracle after Odysseus' return from Troy. Mary Renault, The King Must Die (1958), a realistic historical novel based on the legend of Theseus from Greek mythology. Review Mary Renault, The Bull from the Sea (1962), a realistic historical novel based on the legend of Theseus from Greek mythology; sequel to The King Must Die. Mary Renault, Fire from Heaven (1969), about Alexander the Great as a youth; #1 in the Alexander trilogy. Mary Renault, The Persian Boy (1972), about Alexander the Great from the perspective of a Persian youth who became his lover after Alexander's conquest of Persia; #2 in the Alexander trilogy. Mary Renault, Funeral Games (1981), about the friends of Alexander the Great after his death; #3 in the Alexander trilogy. Mary Renault, The Last of the Wine (1956), about a student of Socrates and his experiences during the Peloponnesian War. Mary Renault, The Mask of Apollo (1966), about the fourth century B.C. philosopher Plato in Syracuse, as narrated by a Greek actor. Mary Renault, The Praise Singer (1978), about the Greek lyric poet Simonides.
Melissa Scott, A Choice of Destinies Miranda Seymour, The Goddess Miranda Seymour, Medea Eric Shanower, Age of Bronze: A Thousand Ships, a graphic novel incorporating archaeological findings with ancient legends to retell the Trojan War story; #1 in the Age of Bronze graphic novel series. Eric Shanower, Age of Bronze: Sacrifice, a graphic novel incorporating archaeological findings with ancient legends to retell the Trojan War story; #2 in the Age of Bronze graphic novel series. Eric Shanower, Age of Bronze: Betrayal, a graphic novel incorporating archaeological findings with ancient legends to retell the Trojan War story; #3 in the Age of Bronze graphic novel series. George Shipway, Warrior in Bronze George Shipway, King in Splendour Rex Stout, The Great Legend Thomas Sundell, A Bloodline of Kings Rosemary Sutcliff, The Flowers of Adonis Greg Tobin, The Siege of Troy
H.N. Turteltaub, The Gryphon's Skull H.N. Turteltaub, The Sacred Land H.N. Turteltaub, Owls to Athens
Gore Vidal, Creation, a literary novel about a Persian ambassador to Athens and his travels through the ancient world, echoing those of Herodotus. Hajo von Kracht, Pillar Island: A Minoan Novella Brother G. (Gregory L. Walker), Shades of Memnon (1999), historical fantasy adventure featuring a black African warrior as a hero in the Trojan War; #1 in the African Legends Adventure series; self-published. Brother G. (Gregory L. Walker), Ra Force Rising (2000), historical fantasy adventure featuring a black African hero of the Trojan War fighting for his family's survival; #2 in the African Legends Adventure series; self-published. Brother G. (Gregory L. Walker), African Atlantis Unbound Florence Wallin, According to Helen Jill Paton Walsh, Farewell, Great King Rex Warner, Pericles the Athenian Christa Wolf, Cassandra, a literary, feminist perspective on the Trojan War by an East German author. Christa Wolf, Medea, a literary retelling of the Medea story that looks behind the misogynistic fantasy of the ancient legend to portray a realistic woman. Gene Wolfe, Soldier of the Mist, about a Spartan mercenary who, after a head injury, loses his short-term memory and gains the ability to speak with gods and goddesses; #1 in the Soldier series. Gene Wolfe, Soldier of Arete, about a Spartan mercenary who, after a head injury, loses his short-term memory and gains the ability to speak with gods and goddesses; #2 in the Soldier series. Gene Wolfe, Soldier of Sidon, about a Spartan mercenary who, after a head injury, loses his short-term memory and gains the ability to speak with gods and goddesses; #3 in the Soldier series. Frank Yerby, Goat Song Ancient Greece: Mystery Novels
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Anna Apostolou, A Murder in Thebes (1999), a mystery novel set during the time of Alexander the Great; Anna Apostolou is a pen name of Paul Doherty; #2 in a mystery series. W. Sheppard Baird, The Minoan Psychopath (2007), a thriller set in Crete and the surrounding islands on the eve of the eruption that would destroy the Minoan civilization; self-published. Daniel Chavarria, The Eye of Cybele (2002), an erotic literary mystery novel set in Athens during the Peloponnesian War. Gary Corby, The Pericles Commission (2010), a humorous mystery about a sculptor's son in ancient Athens who impresses the up-and-coming politician Pericles with his deductions after a man is murdered, and is asked to solve the crime.
Paul Doherty, The Godless Man (2002), a mystery featuring Alexander the Great's personal physician investigating a series of murders during Alexander's Persian campaign; #2 in the Alexander the Great mystery series. Paul Doherty, The Gates of Hell
Margaret Doody, Aristotle and Poetic Justice (2002), about a young man who teams up with the philosopher Aristotle to investigate the abduction of a silver merchant's heiress; #2 in the Aristotle Detective mystery series. Margaret Doody, Aristotle and the Secrets of Life (2003; also published under the title Aristotle and the Mystery of Life), about a student who travels with Aristotle to the coast of Asia Minor where they investigate a murder; #3 in the Aristotle Detective mystery series. Margaret Doody, Poison in Athens (2004), about a former student of Aristotle who discovers a corpse when he visits a brothel; #4 in the Aristotle Detective mystery series. Margaret Doody, Mysteries of Eleusis (2005), about a former student of Aristotle who teams up with him to investigate a murder during a celebration of the Mysteries of Eleusis; #5 in the Aristotle Detective mystery series.
Patrick Hatten, Champion of the Dead, about the student of an Athenian boxer and his quest to find out who killed the boxer after he dies suddenly of poison during the Olympic games Roger Hudson, Death Comes by Amphora (2007), about an 18-year-old boy from an Athenian colony and his elderly slave who arrive in Athens amid the deadly political struggles of 461 B.C. following the defeat of the Persians. Jose Carlos Somoza, The Athenian Murders (2002), a story within a story as the translator of an account of a murder investigation in Plato's Athens becomes convinced that he, too, is in danger. Marilyn Todd, Blind Eye (2007), about a Spartan high priestess who investigates murders attributed to the legendary Cyclops. Ancient Rome
Rome and its empire have been a popular subject of historical novels from the nineteenth century into the present. Suggesting the city's origins, legends tell of the Trojan War hero Aeneas fleeing to Italy after the fall of Troy and, more mysteriously, of the twins Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf. Archaeological evidence shows Rome was founded around the eighth century B.C. as a city influenced by its Etruscan neighbors. According to legend, Rome was first ruled by a series of kings, most of whose names were Etruscan. Around the fifth century B.C., the people of Rome overthrew their last king and established a republic which endured for almost five centuries. During the turmoil of the first century B.C., a series of dictators took control of the city, culminating in the extraordinary rise of Julius Caesar and the end of the Republic. Rome began its development into an empire while it was still a republic, absorbing its Italian neighbors. Caesar's conquests in Gaul and elsewhere began an expansion by which the Empire grew to encompass most of Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean. The Empire's influence extended far beyond its official borders. Barbarian incursions, mutinies in its army, and the corruption and insanity of various emperors weakened the Empire and provide dramatic material for historical fiction. Its armies abandoned Britain in 410 A.D., the same year the city was sacked by the Visigoths. In the fifth century, Rome's territories were divided into an Eastern and a Western Empire. In 476 Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, was deposed by Odoacer, a Germanic warrior, marking the end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the medieval period. Novels set in the Eastern Roman Empire after 476 are listed on the Medieval Constantinople and Byzantium page. Jump to Mystery Novels
Michael E. Anderson, The Parthian Interpreter Poul Anderson, The Golden Slave John Beatty, The Fourth Part of Gaul (2004), about the revolt of the Veneti tribe of Gaul against Roman rule and the author's theory that the Veneti survivors sailed to America; self-published. Emery Bekessy, Barabbas Albert A. Bell Jr., Daughter of Lazarus (2000), about a Roman senator's slave woman and her interest in Christianity during the reign of Domitian; self-published. D.G. Bellenger, 68 A.D., about Servius Sulpicius Galba, who became Emperor of Rome after Nero's suicide in 68 A.D.; self-published. Herbert W. Benario, Thusnelda: A German Princess in Ancient Rome
Gillian Bradshaw, The Sand-Reckoner (2000), about Archimedes of Syracuse. Gillian Bradshaw, Cleopatra's Heir (2002), a novel imagining what might have happened if Caesarion, Cleopatra's son by Julius Caesar, had survived the plot to assassinate him. Gillian Bradshaw, Render Unto Caesar (2003), a young Greek man who is a Roman citizen encounters prejudice when he goes to Rome to collect debts owed to his family.
Wallace Breem, Eagle in the Snow (1970), about the fall of Rome. Wallace Breem, The Legate's Daughter (1974), about the Roman Empire during the time of Augustus. Hermann Broch, The Death of Virgil (1945), about Virgil, the Roman poet who wrote The Aeneid about the fall of Troy. Nick Brown, Siege (2011), about a young Roman intelligence agent during the war between Rome and Queen Zenobia of Palmyra; #1 in the planned Agent of Rome series. Jesse Browner, The Uncertain Hour (2007), about the last banquet of a Roman aristocrat who, having offended Emperor Nero, is planning his suicide and takes the opportunity to enjoy his friends and reflect on his career. Bryher, Roman Wall Bryher, The Coin of Carthage Edward Bulwer-Lytton, The Last Days of Pompeii (1834), a romantic story about life in Pompeii that begins in the days just before Vesuvius erupted; Bulwer-Lytton is justly famous for his purple prose. Jasper Burns, Vipsania: A Roman Odyssey Edgar Rice Burroughs, I Am a Barbarian Edward Burton, Caesar's Daughter (1999), about Julia Caesaris, the daughter of Augustus Caesar. Lorna Cahall, The Actor King (2008), about the adventures and tribulations of an actor and his troupe as he travels the Roman Empire; self-published. Taylor Caldwell, A Pillar of Iron Frank Castle, Nero (1961), cover copy: "The throbbing story of the mad Caesar whose lust for flesh and blood wrought a reign of violence unequaled in history" David Chacko, The Severan Prophecies, about the Severan dynasty emperors after the assassination of the Emperor Caracalla in 217; self-published. Barry Clifton, Ben Hur: The Odyssey, a sequel to Lew Wallace's novel Ben Hur, which brings Ben Hur to Rome to defend the Apostle Paul after his arrest for missionary activities; Christian message; self-published. Wilkie Collins, Antonina; Or, The Fall of Rome (1850), a romantic novel about a woman living through the sack of Rome by the Goths. David Corson, Domitia and Domitian (2000), about the Emperor Domitian who ruled Rome from A.D. 81-96 and his wife Domitia; self-published. David Corson, Trajan and Plotina (2003), about the Emperor Trajan who ruled Rome from A.D. 98-117 and his wife Plotina; self-published. Thomas B. Costain, The Darkness and the Dawn (1959), about Attila the Hun. Elisabeth Roberts Craft, A Spy for Hannibal: A Novel of Carthage (1996), about a high priest in Carthage sent to Rome as a spy for Hannibal; "history as soap opera" according to Publishers Weekly. Stephen Dando-Collins, The Inquest Peter Darman, The Parthian Peter Darman, Parthian Dawn Lindsey Davis, The Course of Honour (1997), a stand-alone novel about Emperor Vespasian's mistress, by the author of the Falco Roman mystery series. William Stearns Davis, A Friend of Caesar: A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic (1900). Mario de Carvalho, A God Strolling in the Cool of the Evening (1997), set in the Roman empire during the late second century, about the rise of Christianity in the province that became modern Portugal. Robert DeMaria, Clodia (1965), about the poet Catullus, the beautiful and promiscuous Clodia, and Rome during the struggles of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus for power. Luke Devenish, Den of Wolves (2008; currently available in Australia only), about the young Livia, who would become the wife of Augustus Caesar; #1 in the planned Empress of Rome trilogy. Louis de Wohl, The Living Wood (2008), about Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, her conversion to Christianity, and her search for the cross on which Jesus was crucified; Christian message. William Dietrich, Scourge of God (2005), about Attila the Hun. L. Sprague de Camp, The Arrows of Hercules (1965), about an Italian engineer of the fourth century B.C. who invented an improved catapult and became involved in the war between Syracuse and Carthage. L. Sprague de Camp, Lest Darkness Fall (1941), about a history professor who goes back in time and tries to prevent the fall of Rome. Paul Doherty, Domina, a sympathetic novel about Agrippina the Younger, the wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Nero. Theodora DuBois, Captive of Rome James Duffy, Sand of the Arena, about a wealthy Roman who becomes a gladiator after a slave steals his identity following a deadly shipwreck; #1 in the Gladiators of the Empire series. James Duffy, Fight for Rome, about a gladiator who wields power behind the scenes during the civil war following Nero's suicide; #2 in the Gladiators of the Empire series. James Duffy, Rain of Fire, about a man who trains gladiators during the time of the eruption of Vesuvius; #3 in the Gladiators of the Empire series
Alfred Duggan, Winter Quarters (1956), about two men from Gaul who join the Roman army and travel across the Empire as far as Parthia. Alfred Duggan, Three's Company, about the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, the assassination of Caesar, and the government of the triumvirs from the persepctive of Lepidus, who served as triumvir with Antony and Octavian. Alfred Duggan, Family Favourites, about the Roman Emperor Elagabalus.
David Anthony Durham, Pride of Carthage (2005), about Hannibal's military campaign against Rome. Georg Ebers, Homo Sum (1878), about a fifth-century Christian anchorite on the Sinai Peninsula. Rebecca East, A. D. 62: Pompeii (2003), about a modern woman stranded in the past who becomes a slave in the household of Marcus Tullius in Pompeii; self-published.
Lion Feuchtwanger, Josephus Lion Feuchtwanger, The Jew of Rome Lion Feuchtwanger, Josephus and the Emperor
Michael Curtis Ford, Gods and Legions, a novel of ancient warfare about Julian the Apostate, the last pagan Emperor of Rome, who ruled from 360-363. Michael Curtis Ford, The Last King, a novel of ancient warfare about Rome's enemy Mithridates. Michael Curtis Ford, The Sword of Attila, a novel of ancient warfare about Attila the Hun.
Géza Gárdonyi, Slave of the Huns David Gibbins, The Last Gospel (titled The Lost Tomb in the U.S.), about a modern archaeologist who discovers a secret about the origin of Christianity while researching the ruins of a library in Pompeii Donna Gillespie, The Light Bearer (1994), about a Germanic woman warrior during the time of Nero who struggles to prevent Rome from conquering the German tribes. Donna Gillespie, Lady of the Light (2006), about a Germanic woman married to a Roman man who has been secretly financing her people's resistance to Roman rule; sequel to The Light Bearer. Sherrie Seibert Goff, The Arms of Quirinus, about King Romulus Silvius Quirinus, the legendary first king of Rome in the eighth century B.C.; #1 in the Seven Kings of Rome series; self-published. Sherrie Seibert Goff, The Scent of Hyacinth, about King Numa Pompilius, the legendary second king of Rome; #2 in the Seven Kings of Rome series; self-published. Sherrie Seibert Goff, The Warrior's Dance Jose Gomez-Rivera, Flavius Aetius: The Last Conqueror (2004), a love story about the Empress Galla Placida and General Flavius Aetius and their struggle to preserve Rome during the last days of the Western Roman Empire; self-published. R.S. Gompertz, No Roads Lead to Rome (2010), a comic novel about the Roman province of Hispania in 123 A.D.; self-published. Jo Graham, Black Ships (2008), historical fantasy about an oracle who guides Aeneas on his journey to a new land after the fall of Troy. Dewey Gram, Gladiator, a novelization of the film about a Roman general who becomes a gladiator in order to revenge the murder of his family. Ralph A. Graves, The Lost Eagles Robert Graves, I, Claudius, a novel of ancient Rome about Emperor Claudius; the television mini-series of the same name was based on this novel. Robert Graves, Claudius the God, the sequel to I, Claudius George Green, Hawk Peter Green, The Sword of Pleasure: Being the Memoirs of the Most Illustrious Lucius Cornelius Sulla Hella S. Haasse, Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth Century Rome (1993), about the Christian persecutions of pagans in Rome during the time of Emperor Hadrian. Barbara Hambly, Search the Seven Hills (1983; titled The Quirinal Affair in the UK), a thriller set in ancient Rome that revolves around a strange new religious cult, the Christians. Robert Harris, Pompeii, a novel of ancient history, about the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii. Robert Harris, Imperium, about Cicero's rise to political power in ancient Rome; #1 in the Cicero trilogy. Review Robert Harris, Lustrum (2009; titled Conspirata in the U.S.), about Cicero's year as consul in 63 B.C., as Julius Caesar plots to gain power and Cicero wonders whether he can justify using illegal methods in order to save the Roman Republic; #2 in the Cicero trilogy. Review at The Nashville Ledger Nicholas Henry, Raelina's Flowers (2007), about a Roman soldier who survives the massacre in the Teutoburg Forest in 9 A.D.; self-published. John Hersey, The Conspiracy, set in ancient Rome in the time of Nero. Cecelia Holland, The Death of Attila, a novel of ancient history, about a Hun warrior in the time of Attila. Thomas Holt, A Song for Nero, a thriller exploring the possibility that Nero survived beyond the date he was believed to have died. Lance Horner, Rogue Roman Peter Huby, Carthage, about Rome's destruction of Carthage in 146 B.C. Damion Hunter, The Centurions Damion Hunter, Barbarian Princess Damion Hunter, The Emperor's Games
Conn Iggulden, The Death of Kings, about the dangers Caesar faced during his rise to power, including capture by Mediterranean pirates and the slave rebellion of Spartacus; #2 in the Emperor series. Conn Iggulden, The Field of Swords, about the friendship and rivalry between Caesar and Brutus as Caesar moves toward the fateful decision to cross the Rubicon and make war in Rome; #3 in the Emperor series Conn Iggulden, The Gods of War, about Caesar and the civil war he pursued in order to unseat Pompey as dictator of Rome; #4 and last in the Emperor series.
Douglas Jackson, Claudius (2009), about Caratacus, who leads the British defense against the Roman invasion, and the keeper of the elephant Emperor Claudius brings to Britain to strike fear into its defenders. Douglas Jackson, Hero of Rome Douglas Jackson, Defender of Rome (2011), about a celebrated soldier who returns to Rome, scarred by his experiences in Britain, and is given the responsibility of capturing the leader of the new Christian sect; #2 in the Gaius Valerius Verrens series.
Brenda Jagger, Daughter of Aphrodite John Jakes, The Man from Cannae John James, The Bridge of Sand Benita Kane Jaro, The Key Benita Kane Jaro, The Lock Benita Kane Jaro, The Door in the Wall Leon Jenner, Bricks (2011), about a master bricklayer who remembers a past life as a Druid priest who tricked Julius Caesar. Gary Jennings, Raptor
Ben Kane, The Silver Eagle (2009), about Roman soldiers trapped in Parthia after a disastrous battle, and the search of the sister of one of the soldiers for her lover in Gaul amid the uprising led by Vercingetorix; #2 in the Forgotten Legion Chronicles series. Ben Kane, The Road to Rome (2010), about veterans of the disastrous Battle of Carrae and their struggle to return to Rome, while the sister of one of them faces danger in Rome; #3 in the Forgotten Legion trilogy.
Par Lagerkvist, Barabbas (1950), about the criminal released in place of Jesus before the crucifixion; by a Nobel Prize-winning author. Ross Laidlaw, Attila: The Scourge of God, a novel of warfare about Attila the Hun and the Roman general Aetius. Ross Laidlaw, Theoderic (2010), about Theoderic, the Gothic chieftain who rose to rule the remains of the Roman Empire after it began to fall apart in the fifth century. Patrick Larkin, The Tribune, a thriller with a Christian message set in Roman Galilee during the time of Jesus. Ross Leckie, Hannibal, about Hannibal, the Carthaginian general who invaded Rome; #1 in the author's Carthage trilogy. Ross Leckie, Scipio, a novel of ancient history, about the life of Scipio Africanus, the Roman general who defeated Hannibal; #2 in the author's Carthage trilogy; also titled Scipio Africanus. Ross Leckie, Carthage, about the destruction of Carthage in the Third Punic War; #3 in the author's Carthage trilogy. Ursula K. Le Guin, Lavinia, about the Italian woman who, according to legend, married Aeneas after the Trojan War and helped him found the city of Rome. Morgan Llywelyn, Etruscans, a fantasy novel based on legends about the ancient Etruscans, the forerunners of Roman civilization. Morgan Llywelyn, Druids, about Vercingetorix, the leader of the Gallic resistance against Caesar, and the druids of Gaul. Morgan Llywelyn, The Greener Shore, about Gallic druids who fled to Ireland after the Roman conquest of Gaul; sequel to Druids. Jack Ludlow, The Pillars of Rome, set in the Roman Republic, #1 in a series. Jack Ludlow, The Sword of Revenge, set in the Roman Republic, #2 in a series. James Mace, Soldier of Rome: The Legionary, about a young Roman legionary in the force sent to Germania to avenge the destruction of three legions in the Teutoburg Forest; self-published; #1 in the Soldier of Rome series. James Mace, Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt, about a Roman legionary during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, as the threat of a rebellion in Gaul looms; self-published; #2 in the Soldier of Rome series. James Mace, Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion, about a Roman centurion stationed in the Lugdunum (now Lyon), Gaul, as a series of murders upsets the city; self-published; #3 in the Soldier of Rome series. James Mace, Soldier of Rome: The Centurion, about a Roman centurion; self-published; #3 in the Soldier of Rome series. Paul L. Maier, The Flames of Rome, about the spread of Christianity in Rome during the reign of Nero; Christian message. David Malouf, An Imaginary Life (1978), about the poet Ovid and his relationship with a feral boy during his exile from Rome on the coast of the Black Sea.
Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Empire of Dragons, about a Roman soldier captured along with Emperor Valerian by the Persians and his journey to China after he escapes. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, The Tower, a dual-time novel about an Etruscan who is the sole survivor of a first-century Roman mission in the Sahara and a modern man trying to understand why his father has disappeared in the desert, their stories linked by a mysterious tower. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, Tyrant, about Dionysius, the Tyrant of Syracuse, and his military challenge to Carthage in the fifth century B.C. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, The Last Legion, about a band of Romano-British soldiers who journey to Rome in 470 A.D. as the Empire is beginning to collapse.
Allan Massie, Tiberius Allan Massie, Caesar Allan Massie, The Evening of the World, a novel of ancient history, about a Roman soldier's wanderings after the fall of Rome; #1 in the Dark Ages trilogy (#2, Arthur the King, is set in Arthurian Britain; #3, Charlemagne and Roland, is set in early medieval Europe). Allan Massie, Antony Allan Massie, Caligula Allan Massie, Nero's Heirs
Colleen McCullough, The Grass Crown, a novel of ancient history, about the Roman dictator Sulla; #2 in the Masters of Rome series. Colleen McCullough, Fortune's Favorites, a novel of ancient history, about the later years of Sulla; #3 in the Masters of Rome series. Colleen McCullough, Caesar's Women, a novel of ancient history, about the rise of Julius Caesar; #4 in the Masters of Rome series. Colleen McCullough, Caesar, a novel of ancient history, about the mature Julius Caesar; #5 in the Masters of Rome series. Colleen McCullough, The October Horse, a novel of ancient history, about Caesar and Cleopatra; #6 in the Masters of Rome series. Colleen McCullough, Antony and Cleopatra, a novel of ancient history, about the title characters; #7 in the Masters of Rome series.
Naomi Mitchison, The Conquered (1923), about the conflicted relationship of a Gaul and a Roman military officer during and after Julius Caesar's Gallic War. Review Kathleen Morgan, Enchant the Dream Talbot Mundy, Caesar Dies (1934), about the plot to kill the Roman Emperor Commodus after he goes insane. H. Warner Munn, The Lost Legion, an adventure story about a legion sent to Asia by the mad Emperor Caligula. William Napier, Attila (2005; also titled The Scourge of God), about the early life of Attila the Hun; #1 in the Attila the Hun trilogy. William Napier, The Gathering of the Storm (2007), about the early life of Attila, as he returns from exile to claim his kingdom and strives to unite the Huns and Scythians; #2 in the Attila the Hun trilogy. William Napier, Attila: The Judgment (2008), about Attila's campaign against Rome; #3 in the Attila the Hun trilogy. John Henry Newman, Callista: A Tale of the Third Century (1855), about a young woman in Roman Africa and the process by which she converts to Christianity; written by an Anglican convert to Catholicism who became a cardinal Kyle Onstott and Lance Horner, Child of the Sun (1966), about the "effeminate" and “perverted" Varius Avitus Bassianus, or Elagabalus, who became Emperor of Rome in A.D. 218 Vincent Panella, Cutter's Island (2000), about Julius Caesar's experience of being kidnapped by pirates as a young man (an actual historical event). Kate Quinn, Mistress of Rome (2010), about a Jewish slave girl in first-century Rome who falls in love with a gladiator but becomes the mistress of the Emperor Domitian. Kate Quinn, Daughters of Rome (2011), about two Roman sisters whose lives are changed dramatically during the bloody Year of Four Emperors, 69 A.D.; sequel to Mistress of Rome. Chet Raymo, Valentine: A Love Story (2007), a novel based on the tradition that the original St. Valentine was a physician who fell in love with a blind woman in ancient Rome. Robert Raymond, Fire and Bronze (2005), about a princess of Tyre who became Queen Dido; based on legends about the founding of Carthage. Boris Raymond, The Phoenix Circle Angela Render, Forged by Lightning: A Novel of Hannibal and Scipio (2006), about the generals who led the Roman and Carthaginian armies during the Second Punic War; self-published. Patrick Rivette, The Chief Centurion: A Soldier for Rome Francine Rivers, A Voice in the Wind (1993), #1 in the Mark of the Lion series about the rise of Christianity in ancient Rome; Christian message. Francine Rivers, An Echo in the Darkness (1994), #2 in the Mark of the Lion series about the rise of Christianity in ancient Rome; Christian message. Francine Rivers, As Sure as the Dawn (1995), #3 in the Mark of the Lion series about the rise of Christianity in ancient Rome; Christian message. Keith Roberts, The Boat of Fate (1971), about a young Roman during the disintegration of the Roman Empire. Kathleen Robinson, Dominic (1991), about an orphaned dwarf from Gaul who travels through the collapsing Roman empire. Kathleen Robinson, Heaven's Only Daughter M.J. Rose, The Reincarnationist (2007), about a man who suddenly, after a terrorist bombing in Rome, begins vividly recalling past lives in Rome in 391 A.D. and in 1884 New York. David M. Ross, In the Army of Marcus Batallius (2002), about the commander of a newly formed legion charged with the responsibility of establishing a Roman fort in Germanic territory on the east side of the Rhine; self-published.
Barry Sadler, Casca 5: The Barbarian Barry Sadler, God of Death Barry Sadler, Casca 3: The Warlord Barry Sadler, Casca 6: The Persian Barry Sadler, Casca 7: The Damned Barry Sadler, Casca 9: The Sentinel Barry Sadler, Casca 13: The Assassin Barry Sadler, Casca 19: The Samurai Barry Sadler, Casca 22: The Mongol Barry Sadler, Casca 10: The Conquistador Barry Sadler, Casca 15: The Pirate Barry Sadler, Casca 17: The Warrior Barry Sadler, Casca 18: The Cursed Barry Sadler, Casca 21: The Trench Soldier Barry Sadler, Casca 4: The Panzer Soldier Barry Sadler, Casca 11: The Legionnaire Barry Sadler, Casca 16: The Desert Mercenary Barry Sadler, Casca 14: The Phoenix Barry Sadler, Casca 20: Soldier of Gideon Barry Sadler, Casca 8: Soldier of Fortune Barry Sadler, Casca 12: The African Mercenary (Sadler series) Paul Dengelegi, Barry Sadler's Casca: The Liberator (Sadler series) Paul Dengelegi, Barry Sadler's Casca: The Defiant (Sadler series) Tony Roberts, Barry Sadler's Casca: Halls of Montezuma (Sadler series) Tony Roberts, Barry Sadler's Casca: Johnny Reb (Sadler series) Tony Roberts, Barry Sadler's Casca: The Confederate (Sadler series) Tony Roberts, Barry Sadler's Casca: The Avenger (Sadler series) Michael B. Goodwin, Barry Sadler's Casca: Immortal Dragon (Sadler series) Tony Roberts, Barry Sadler's Casca: Napoleon's Soldier (Sadler series) Tony Roberts, Barry Sadler's Casca: The Conqueror
Steven Saylor, Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome (2007), a time-sweep novel about ancient Rome from its earliest founding as a settlement on the banks of the Tiber into the time of Caesar Augustus. Steven Saylor, Empire: The Novel of Imperial Rome (2010), a sweep-of-history novel about ancient Rome from 14 A.D., the end of Caesar Augustus's reign to the death of Hadrian in 141 A.D. Review or Author Interview
Simon Scarrow, The Eagle's Conquest (2001), about a Roman centurion fighting in the campaign to conquer Britain in 43 A.D.; #2 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, When the Eagle Hunts (2002), about a Roman centurion in Britain in the winter of 44 A.D.; #3 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, The Eagle and the Wolves (2003), about a Roman centurion in Britain in the summer of 44 A.D.; #4 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, The Eagle's Prey (2004), about a Roman centurion in Britain fighting against the army organized by Caratacus; #5 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, The Eagle's Prophecy (2005), about a Roman soldier assigned to defeat a gang of pirates who have stolen some scrolls vital to the Empire's future; #6 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, The Eagle in the Sand (2006), about a Roman soldier struggling to avert trouble in Syria; #7 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, Centurion (2007), about a Roman centurion in Parthia, #8 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, The Gladiator (2009), about two Roman centurions who arrive in Crete to find it devastated by an earthquake and on the verge of a rebellion against Rome; #9 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, The Legion (2010), about a Roman prefect and his centurion friend who must go to Egypt to put a stop to a rebel gladiator and his band who have been posing as Roman soldiers and causing general mayhem; #10 in the Cato series. Simon Scarrow, Praetorian (2011), about two army veterans summoned to Rome in 50 A.D. by Emperor Claudius's secretary to investigate a Republican movement known as "the Liberators"; #11 in the Cato series.
M.C. Scott, The Coming of the King (2011), about a spy for Emperor Nero, a former friend of his who is determined to destroy a Roman province, and a woman seeking vengeance for the death of her father; #2 in the Rome series. Rafael Scott, The Lion's Brood (2004), about the Carthaginian general Hannibal, from his childhood to his war upon Rome; self-published.
Harry Sidebottom, King of Kings (2009), about a Roman general who returns to Rome in 256 AD amid an atmosphere of religious fanaticism to find that he has enemies in the city who would like to see him dead; #2 in the Warrior of Rome series. Review or Author Interview Harry Sidebottom, Lion of the Sun (2010), about a Roman solider who vows to wreak vengeance on the Sassanids who capture Emperor Valerian in 260 A.D.; #3 in the Warrior of Rome series. Harry Sidebottom, The Caspian Gates (2011), about a Roman solider whose knowledge of the barbarian Goths makes him uniquely able to defeat them in 262 A.D. as they threaten the Roman city of Ephesus, already shattered by an earthquake; #4 in the Warrior of Rome series.
Frank Slaughter, Constantine: The Miracle of the Flaming Cross (1965), about the first Roman emperor to adopt Christianity. Norman Spinrad, The Druid King (2003), about Caesar's war in Gaul and Vercingetorix, the Celtic chieftain who opposed him.
John Stack, Captain of Rome (2010), a novel of naval warfare about a young ship captain whose inexperienced commander's orders send him into a trap; #2 in the Masters of the Sea series. John Stack, Master of Rome (2011), about a Greek serving as a commander in the Roman navy who escapes the Carthaginians and a storm at sea to fall afoul of Roman politics; #3 in the Masters of the Sea series.
Elisabeth Storrs, The Wedding Shroud George Strickland, The Lion of Africa: Hannibal of Carthage (2008), about Hannibal, who defeated the Roman army after bringing war elephants with his army across the Alps; self-published. Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove, Household Gods (1999), about a modern woman who travels back in time to ancient Rome. Edward Thomson, Atilus the Slave Edward Thomson, Atilus the Gladiator Edward Thomson, Gladiator Colin Thubron, Emperor (1978), about Constantine's military campaign to rule the entire Roman Empire and his conversion to Christianity, told in the form of documents and journal entries by various characters. Harry Turtledove, Give Me Back My Legions! (2009), about the disastrous Roman defeat to the Germans under Arminius in the Teutoberg Forest in 9 AD. Peter Vansittart, The Wall Gore Vidal, Julian (1964), about Julian, the last pagan Emperor of Rome, who ruled from 360-363. Virgil, The Aeneid (written in the first century B.C.), an epic poem which incorporates ancient legends about the fall of Troy and the founding of Rome. Lew Wallace, Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), about a Hebrew prince in Roman Judea during the time of Jesus whose best friend, a Roman, becomes his enemy; Christian message. Mika Waltari, The Etruscan Rex Warner, Young Caesar Rex Warner, Imperial Caesar Paul Waters, Of Merchants and Heroes (2008; titled The Republic of Vengeance in the U.S.), about a young Roman at the end of the third century B.C. who pursues the pirates who murdered his father across Greece and Italy during the rise of Philip of Macedon. A 2008 "find" by reviewer Annis Paul Waters, Cast Not The Day (2009), about a young man in fifth century Roman Britain who becomes involved in the conflict between Christianity and classical paganism as the Empire begins to split at the seams; sequel to The Republic of Vengeance. Paul Waters, The Philosopher Prince (2010), about two young Romans whose only hope after they have been charged with treason is the emperor's nephew Prince Julian, who is himself hated by the emperor; sequel to Merchants and Heroes and The Republic of Vengeance. Evelyn Waugh, Helena (1950), about the mother of Constantine the Great and her quest to locate the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Russell Whitfield, Gladiatrix (2009), about a first century Spartan woman forced to become a gladiatrix. Review Russell Whitfield, Roma Victrix Leonard Wibberley, The Testament of Theophilus Thornton Wilder, The Ides of March (1948), about Julius Caesar. John Edward Williams, Augustus: A Novel (1973), a literary novel about the Roman Emperor Augustus and his rise to power; winner of a National Book Award. David Wishart, I, Virgil David Wishart, Nero Marguerite Yourcenar, Memoirs of Hadrian (1951), a literary novel about the Roman Emperor Hadrian. New Yorker review Ancient Rome: Mystery Novels
Jump to long-running series mysteries, or scroll down for stand-alone mysteries and shorter series: "Falco" series by Lindsey Davis "SPQR" series by John Maddox Roberts "Roma Sub Rosa" series by Steven Saylor "Claudia Seferius" series by Marilyn Todd "Marcus Corvinus" series by David Wishart
Albert A. Bell Jr., The Blood of Caesar: A Second Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger (2008), a mystery in which the Roman scholars Tacitus and Pliny the Younger are asked to find out who murdered a mason whose body was found in Domitian's library; #2 in the Pliny the Younger mystery series. Albert A. Bell Jr., The Corpus Conundrum: A Third Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger (2011), a mystery in which the Roman scholar Pliny the Younger must investigate the case of a body which turns up at his villa and then mysteriously disappears; #3 in the Pliny the Younger mystery series. Review
Philip Boast, The Son of Heaven (2007), about the seventh son of a Roman aristocrat assigned to guard a Chinese Emperor's heir from the Huns along the Spice Road; #2 in the Septimus Quistus mystery series. Ron Burns, Roman Nights Ron Burns, Roman Shadows, about a Roman lawyer in the days after the murder of Julius Caesar; #2 in the Livinius Severus mystery series.
Lindsey Davis, Shadows in Bronze (1990), a palace spy tries to uncover the culprits plotting to assassinate Emperor Vespasian; #2 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Venus in Copper (1991), after being bailed out of prison, where he landed after making a small accounting error, a Roman investigator is hired to assist a family of freed slaves avoid trouble; #3 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, The Iron Hand of Mars (1992), an informer travels to Gaul on a mission for the Emperor Vespasian; #4 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Poseidon's Gold (1993), a Roman informer must try to clear his own family's name; #5 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Last Act in Palmyra (1994), a Roman informer tries to find out who murdered the playwright for a traveling comedy troupe; #6 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Time to Depart (1995), a Roman informer must start his investigation afresh when murders begin again even though he has succeeded in having Rome's worst criminal exiled; #7 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, A Dying Light in Corduba Lindsey Davis, Three Hands in the Fountain (1996), a Roman informer tracks down a serial killer who leaves body parts in the aqueducts; #9 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Two for the Lions (1998), a Roman informer is caught by surprise when the killing of a lion who is a star in the gladiatorial games leads to the murder of a trainer; #10 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, One Virgin Too Many (1999), a Roman informer's new duties as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry of the Senate and People of Rome lead him into trouble; #11 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Ode to a Banker (2000), a Roman informer and amateur poet stumbles into a case of murder after a banker offers to publish his work; #12 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, A Body in the Bath House (2001), a Roman informer travels to an expensive new building project in Britannia (today known as Fishbourne Palace) to investigate suspected corruption and a series of fatal accidents; #13 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, The Jupiter Myth (2002), in muddy Britannia where he has just solved a mystery, an informer for the Roman Emperor must solve a new case of murder before he can return home; #14 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, The Accusers (2003), a Roman informer lands in trouble after becoming involved in a legal case that leads to complications; #15 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Scandal Takes a Holiday (2004), a Roman informer's task of finding a missing gossip monger proves more difficult than expected; #16 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, See Delphi and Die (2005), a Roman informer travels to Greece on the emperor's business; #17 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Saturnalia (2007), about an informer for Emperor Vespasian who finds it especially difficult to find a missing woman and solve a case of murder during the Roman holiday of Saturnalia; #18 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Alexandria (2009), about an informer for Emperor Vespasian who must interrupt his vacation in Alexandria to investigate a death in the Great Library; #19 in the Falco mystery series. Review Lindsey Davis, Nemesis (2010), about an informer for Emperor Vespasian whose search for a serial killer is interrupted when his case is taken away from him by an official whose motives may be less than pure; #20 in the Falco mystery series. Lindsey Davis, Falco: The Official Companion
Paul Doherty, Murder Imperial, about a crisis faced by the new Emperor Constantine when a series of courtesans he had visited are murdered; #2 in the Ancient Rome series. Paul Doherty, The Song of the Gladiator, about a theological debate sponsored by Constantine during the summer of 313 A.D.; #3 in the Ancient Rome series. Paul Doherty, The Queen of the Night, about a mysterious series of murders of veteran soldiers in the summer of 314 in Rome which resemble barbaric practices of the Picts; #4 in the Ancient Rome series. Paul Doherty, Murder's Immortal Mask, about a serial killer who, having suspended his crimes since Constantine became emperor, suddenly begins killing again; #5 in the Ancient Rome series.
Albert Noyer, The Cybelene Conspiracy, a mystery set in the fifth century Roman Empire, #1 in the Getorius and Arcadia mystery series. Albert Noyer, The Secundus Papyrus, a mystery set in the fifth century Roman Empire, #2 in the Getorius and Arcadia mystery series. Albert Noyer, The Saint's Day Deaths Ben Pastor, The Water Thief, Emperor Diocletian's historian investigates the death of a man drowned in the Nile; #1 in the Aelius Spartianus mystery series. Ben Pastor, The Fire Waker, Emperor Diocletian's historian investigates the case of a man seemingly resurrected from the dead - and then murdered; #2 in the Aelius Spartianus mystery series.
John Maddox Roberts, The Catiline Conspiracy, about a Roman official whose investigation of government corruption endangers the life of his friend; #2 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, The Sacrilege, about a Roman official who discovers a link between an act of sacrilege that disrupts a sacred women's rite and a series of murders; #3 in the SPQR mystery series John Maddox Roberts, The Temple of the Muses, about a Roman official whose diplomatic mission to Egypt is disrupted by murder; #4 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, Saturnalia, about a disgraced Roman called back from exile to investigate a murder during the wild celebration of Saturnalia; #5 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, Nobody Loves a Centurion, about a young Roman who joins Caesar's not-yet-victorious army in Gaul and is assigned to investigate the murder of a centurion hated by all the men serving under him; #6 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, The Tribune's Curse, about a Roman official assigned to investigate the murder of a man who called down a forbidden curse on the army of Crassus; #7 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, The River God's Vengeance, about a Roman official whose investigation of the collapse of a tenement building reveals that someone may have caused it intentionally; #8 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, The Princess and the Pirates, about a Roman official who sets out to rid the Mediterranean Sea of pirates; #9 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, A Point of Law, about a Roman on trial for corruption who suddenly finds himself charged with murder when the man who accused him turns up dead; #10 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, Under Vesuvius, about a Roman official who must find out who killed a priest's daughter in a town near Mount Vesuvius; #11 in the SPQR mystery series. John Maddox Roberts, Oracle of the Dead (2008), about a Roman magistrate who investigates the murders of priests of Apollo while he vacations in southern Italy; #12 in the SPQR mystery series.
Steven Saylor, Arms of Nemesis (1992), about a Roman citizen who investigates a case of murder on the estate of the richest man in Rome, as the Spartacan slave revolt stirs tension between Roman slaves and their masters; #2 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, Catilina's Riddle (1993), about a Roman citizen reluctantly drawn back into the city's intrigues when Cicero asks him to find out more about Cicero's rival Catilina; #3 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, The Venus Throw (1995), about a Roman investigator hired by a beautiful and scandalous woman to find out who murdered one of his clients; #4 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, A Murder on the Appian Way (1996), about an investigator asked by Pompey the Great to find out who murdered Publius Clodius; #5 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, Rubicon (1999), about a Roman citizen whom Pompey the Great forces to investigate a murder during the time when Caesar's army crosses the Rubicon into Rome; #6 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, Last Seen in Massilia (2000), about an investigator who tries to find out whether the young woman he has seen fall to her death from Sacrifice Rock was pushed; #7 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, A Mist of Prophecies (2002), about an investigator who becomes obsessed with finding out who murdered the beautiful seeress who dies in his arms; #8 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, The Judgment of Caesar (2004), about a Roman investigator who brings his ailing wife to Egypt for a cure and becomes enmeshed in the struggle between Caesar, Cleopatra and King Ptolemy for control of Egypt; #9 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Steven Saylor, The Triumph of Caesar (2008), about a retired investigator who reluctantly agrees to look into the rumored assassination plots against Julius Caesar for Caesar's wife, Calpurnia; #10 in the Roma Sub Rosa mystery series. Review Steven Saylor, The House of the Vestals (1997), mystery short stories featuring the characters in the Roma Sub Rosa series. Steven Saylor, A Gladiator Dies Only Once (2005), mystery short stories featuring the characters in the Roma Sub Rosa series.
Marilyn Todd, Virgin Territory Marilyn Todd, Man Eater Marilyn Todd, Wolf Whistle Marilyn Todd, Jail Bait Marilyn Todd, Black Salamander Marilyn Todd, Dream Boat Marilyn Todd, Dark Horse, about a beautiful widow who flees trouble in Rome only to have it catch up with her at an Arcadian villa; #8 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series. Marilyn Todd, Second Act Marilyn Todd, Widow's Pique, about a beautiful widow who witnesses a murder; #10 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series. Marilyn Todd, Stone Cold, about a beautiful widow who goes to Gaul to find the truth behind her father's disappearance there when she was a child; #11 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series. Marilyn Todd, Sour Grapes, about a beautiful widow who investigates a series of murders when she visits her stepmother's estate; #12 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series. Marilyn Todd, Scorpion Rising, about a beautiful widow who goes to Gaul to investigate the murder of a child; #13 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
David Wishart, Germanicus (1997), about a cultivated Roman who is alarmed when the Empress Livia asks him for a dangerous favor: to investigate the death of her grandson Germanicus; #2 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, The Lydian Baker David Wishart, Sejanus (1998), about a cultivated Roman who has just buried his father when two senators ask him to investigate Sejanus, the likely successor to the Emperor Tiberius; #4 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, Old Bones David Wishart, Last Rites (2001), about a Roman sleuth who needs his wife's help when he's called upon to investigate a possible murder during a night devoted to a woman-only celebration of the rites of the Good Goddess; #6 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, White Murder (2002), about a Roman sleuth who must investigate the murder of a super-star chariot racer; #7 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, A Vote for Murder (2003), about a Roman sleuth who interrupts his holiday in the Alban Hills to investigate the murder of a candidate for consul; #8 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, Parthian Shot (2004), about a Roman sleuth who must investigate the attack on a visiting Parthian prince before it results in an international incident; #9 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, Food for the Fishes (2005), about a Roman sleuth who investigates the murder of an obnoxious, wealthy fish farmer who was drowned in one of his own eel tanks; #10 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, In at the Death (2007), about a Roman sleuth who investigates a suspicious case of apparent suicide; #11 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series. David Wishart, Illegally Dead (2008), about a Roman sleuth who investigates a puzzling case of poisoning in Castrimoenium, outside his usual territory; #11 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series Roman Britain
In 43 A.D. under Emperor Claudius, Rome finally added the southeastern part of Britain to its conquests, although the British resistance led by Caratacus slowed the process of westward expansion considerably. The Iceni warrior queen Boudica shocked Rome in 61 A.D. by leading a bloody rebellion. This woman warrior has long fascinated writers and readers of historical novels. The Romans were never able to conquer the Picts in what is now Scotland. They built Hadrian's Wall to discourage tribes to the north from encouraging or assisting rebellions by tribes within Roman territory. During the 400 years of Roman rule, life in most of Britain became thoroughly Romanized. Retired soldiers settled down with British wives, and British chieftains and their families adopted Roman names and served as government officials. The departure of the Roman army in 410 A.D. was no welcome event for most Britons. Orderly government collapsed, and Saxon and Irish raiders attacked the coast and inland settlements along navigable rivers. Historical novelists have written vividly about many periods of Roman Britain, but have especially focused on the conquest period, Boudica's rebellion, and the collapse of Roman rule. Jump to Mystery Novels
Stephen Baxter, Emperor, alternative history about Roman Britain; #1 in the Time's Tapestry series. Stephen Baxter, Conqueror, alternative history about Anglo-Saxon Britain and an attempt to manipulate what will happen in 1066; #2 in the Time's Tapestry series (placed in this category to keep the series together) Stephen Baxter, Navigator, alternative history about the year 1492, when Europe's only Muslim state fell and Columbus sailed westward; #3 in the Time's Tapestry series (placed in this category to keep the series together) Stephen Baxter, Weaver, alternative history set in a Nazi-occupied Britain during the 1940s; #4 in the Time's Tapestry series (placed in this category to keep the series together) Gillian Bradshaw, Dark North, about an African scout in a Roman cavalry unit sent to Britain to conquer the north in A.D. 208. Gillian Bradshaw, Island of Ghosts, about Roman Britain during the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the latter part of the second century. Amanda Cockrell, The Legions of the Mist William Dietrich, Hadrian's Wall, about a Roman soldier posted on the northern border of Roman Britain during the late fourth century. Jack Dixon, The Pict, about the Pictish resistance to first century Roman attempts to conquer their territory in northern Britain; self-published through iUniverse. Alfred Duggan, The Little Emperors, about a treasury official in fifth century Roman Britain during the crisis that leads to Rome's withdrawal. Barbara Erskine, Kingdom of Shadows Barbara Erskine, On the Edge of Darkness, time-slip romance about a sixth century Celtic girl with magical abilities who travels in time, falls in love with a boy in the 1930s, and becomes trapped in the modern world. Barbara Erskine, The Warrior's Princess Barbara Erskine, Time's Legacy Bernardine Evaristo, The Emperor's Babe: A Verse Novel of Londinium, 211 A.D. Alan Fisk, Lord of Silver Haley Elizabeth Garwood, Ashes of Britannia Pauline Gedge, The Eagle and the Raven (1978), about Caradoc and Boudicca, leaders of the British resistance to Roman rule. Alan Gold, Warrior Queen: The Story of Boudica, Celtic Queen (2005), about Boudica and her rebellion against Rome in 61 A.D. Sarah Harrison, The Dreaming Stones, about women who live near Hadrian's Wall, two of them in modern times and one in Roman Britain. Valerio Massimo Manfredi, The Last Legion, about a small band of soldiers from Britain who travel to the City of Rome in the year 470, as the empire is crumbling, in order to rescue the son of the last emperor and raise him to power. Elizabeth May, Roman Sunset, about the struggle of the Britons to survive when the Romans abandon Britain in the fifth century; self-published through Lulu. Minnette Meador, The Centurion and the Queen, historical romance about a Roman centurion and a Celtic queen who fall in love at the time of Boudican revolt. Minnette Meador, The Edge of Honor, historical romance about the love between a Roman centurion and a Celtic queen in the aftermath of the Boudican revolt; sequel to The Centurion and the Queen; available as an e-book only. Paul Morgan, The Pelagius Book William Napier, Julia Diana Paxson, White Mare, Red Stallion
Anthony Riches, Arrows of Fury Anthony Riches, Fortress of Spears (2011), about a Roman Centurion chosen for a mission in northern Britain beyond Hadrian's Wall, just as agents of the Emperor arrive from Rome with the assignment of assassinating him; #3 in the Empire series.
Manda Scott, Dreaming the Bull (2004), about Boudica as a young woman during the early years of the Roman conquest of Britain; #2 in the Boudica series. Manda Scott, Dreaming the Hound (2005), about Boudica during the years after the Romans defeat Caradoc, who led the British armies fighting to remain free of Roman rule; #3 in the Boudica series. Manda Scott, Dreaming the Serpent Spear (2006), about Boudica, the queen of the Iceni (or Eceni as Scott spells it) and the rebellion she leads against Rome; #4 in the Boudica series.
George Shipway, Imperial Governor James Sinclair, Warrior Queen Joann Smith, Boudicca, about Boudicca (also spelled Boudica) and her rebellion against Rome. Rosemary Sutcliff, The Mark of the Horse Lord (1965), about a freed gladiator who impersonates the king of a northern tribe of Britons as part of a Roman scheme to begin a war between two rival tribes. Review at Mark Adderley's Blog Lindsay Townsend, Flavia's Secret (2008), historical romance about a young woman slave who works as a scribe in Aquae Sulis (modern Bath) and finds she is dangerously attracted to her new owner, a Roman soldier.
Henry Treece, The Dark Island Henry Treece, Red Queen, White Queen Henry Treece, The Great Captains
Jules Watson, The Dawn Stag, is a historical fantasy novel set in ancient Scotland (then known as Alba) during the period when Rome was attempting to expand its conquest of Britain northward; the main character is a priestess; #2 in the Dalriada Trilogy. Jules Watson, The Boar Stone (titled Song of the North in the U.S.), is a historical fantasy novel set in ancient Scotland (then known as Alba) during the period when Rome was attempting to expand its conquest of Britain northward; the main character is a priestess; #3 in the Dalriada Trilogy. David Wishart, The Horse Coin Simon Young, Farewell Britannia: A Family Saga of Roman Britain, about four centuries of a family in Roman Britain, from the conquest to the departure of the legions. Roman Britain: Mystery Novels
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Ruth Downie, Terra Incognita (2008; also titled Ruso and the Demented Doctor Ruth Downie, Persona Non Grata (2009; titled Ruso and the Root of All Evils in the U.K.), a physician for a Roman army legion in Britain is called back to Gaul at a seriously inconvenient time and becomes the chief suspect when a man is poisoned; #3 in the Gaius Petreius Ruso mystery series. Review and Author Interview Ruth Downie, Caveat Emptor (2011; titled Ruso and the River of Darkness in the U.K.), about a Roman physician and his native British wife who must find out who murdered a tax collector in Londinium; #4 in the Gaius Petreius Ruso mystery series. Review
Jane Finnis, A Bitter Chill (2005), about an innkeeper in first century Roman Britain whose Saturnalia celebration is disrupted by murder; #2 in the Aurelia Marcella mystery series. Review Jane Finnis, Buried too Deep (2008), about an innkeeper in first century Roman Britain whose brother's assignment of salvaging a shipwrecked cargo is complicated by murder; #3 in the Aurelia Marcella mystery series.
Rosemary Rowe, Murder in the Forum (2000), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who suspects foul play when a brutal favorite of the Emperor chokes on a nut at a dinner party and two dinner guests disappear soon after; #2 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, A Pattern of Blood (2001), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who investigates an attack on a wealthy decurion, soon followed by the decurion's murder; #3 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, The Chariots of Calyx (2002), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who has difficulty concentrating on the murder he has been asked to investigate in Londinium after he catches a glimpse of his former wife, lost years ago to slavery; #4 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, The Legatus Mystery (2003), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who must investigate the bizarre murder of a Roman ambassador followed by an outbreak of uncanny wailing noises and mysterious bloodstains; #5 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, The Ghosts of Glevum (2004), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who must investigate when a dinner guest is found dead in the vomitorium; #6 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, Enemies of the Empire (2005), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who is in no position to refuse when his patron asks him along on a trip to the fringes of the Empire, in country where the Silurian tribes have not forgotten the betrayal and defeat of Caractacus; #7 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, A Roman Ransom (2006), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who is rousted from his sickbed to find a man's missing wife and baby son; #8 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, A Coin for the Ferryman (2007), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who must investigate when a corpse is discovered just as a ceremony is about to begin granting a slave his freedom and marriage to the woman he loves; #9 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, Death at Pompeia's Wedding (2008), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who is hired to exonerate a bride who seems to have confessed to murdering her father on her wedding day; #10 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, Requiem for a Slave (2010), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who must interrupt his regular work to find a killer after a murdered pie-maker is found in his workshop; #11 in the Libertus mystery series. Rosemary Rowe, The Vestal Vanishes (2011), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who must find out why a former vestal virgin vanishes on the eve of her wedding; #12 in the Libertus mystery series.
Kelli Stanley, The Curse-Maker (2011), about a Roman physician who goes to Bath for a holiday with his wife and investigates the murder of a professional curse-maker; #2 in the Roman Noir series. Ancient Ireland
Ancient Ireland belongs more to the realm of legend than history, but Ireland is exceptionally rich in legends of its past. Who is to say these legends have less truth mingled within them than the legends of Troy so dramatically vindicated by Schliemann's discoveries? Though Cuchullain and Queen Maeve may or may not have been real people, Saint Patrick certainly was. Novels have been written about all of them and more. |
(1980), a retelling of the Trojan War story from the perspective of Agamemnon's wife, which turns the tale on its head by presenting Odysseus as a villain; self-published.
(2008), about the helmsman of a third-century Rhodian ship whose mission is to hunt and destroy pirates. 
(1958), about a priestess who flees slavery in a community of enslaved Greeks in Poseidonia; Bryher was the name adopted by author Annie Winnifred Ellerman.
(2008), about Odysseus and his scheme to end the Trojan War with a Greek victory by building a gigantic, hollow, wooden horse.
(1995), about warfare in Greece following the Peloponnesian War. 
(1974), about the courtesan Aspasia and Pericles of Athens.
(2011), about twin brothers who set out to win vengeance against the man who stole the kingdom that is rightfully theirs; #4 in the Tyrant series.
(2002), a novel about the Persian ruler Pharnabazus and the Athenian general Alkibiades, narrated by a Spartan captain; self-published.
(2003), a retelling of the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Diomedes; self-published.
(2004), about Achilles; based on ancient Greek legends; self-published.
(2004), a retelling of the story of the Trojan War.
(1996), about Ariadne, a young queen of Minoan Crete shortly before its fall; self-published.
(1970), about a seer and his apprentice imprisoned because of their supposed involvement in a rebellion against the Spartan tyrant Lykourgos.
(1994), about a slave girl seeking freedom during the Peloponnesian War.
(2011), about the daughter of Helen of Troy, left behind at age nine when her mother is abducted, and reunited with her parents after the Trojan War when she is nineteen; self-published; available as an ebook only.
(also titled Hercules, My Shipmate) (1944), a retelling of the legend of Jason and the Argonauts by the author of I, Claudius.
(2001), about a woman and her lover in ancient Crete during a time of invasion and the volcanic eruption that destroyed the nearby island of Santorini.
(2009), a retelling of the story of The Iliad about the Trojan War.
(1966), a humorous novel about a Greek merchant whose travels in Germanic lands inspire the beginnings of Norse mythology.
(1968), a humorous novel about a Greek merchant who meets figures from legend during his travels through Ireland and Britain; sequel to Votan.
(2009), about a young slave who wins his freedom by fighting in the pankration during the time of Alexander the Great's father, Philip of Macedon; self-published.
(2004), about a cavalry officer in Alexander the Great's army who is captured by Scythians.
(2004), about warfare among the Scythians as an officer of Alexander the Great struggles to gain influence in the tribe that has captured him.
(2005), about a Greek officer who has gained power among the Scythians as the end comes for Alexander the Great.
(1986), a novel of alternative history which imagines what might have happened if Alexander the Great had faced a choice between his campaign to conquer the East or challenging the emerging power of Rome.
(2011), about a young man who is driven out of his Bronze Age rural village in the Peloponnesus to discover the rich and violent world of Minoan Crete; self-published.
(1967), about a boy prostitute during the time of the Peloponnesian Wars.
(2003),a mystery featuring Alexander the Great's personal physician investigating the death of a scribe as Alexander prepares to invade Halicarnassus; #3 in the Alexander the Great mystery series.
(2006), about Tiberius and Vipsania, the wife he was forced to divorce against his will by command of Emperor Augustus; self-published.
(2005), about a Roman magistrate during the reign of Vespasian investigating the fledgling Christian movement and the rumors that a Jewish man has risen from the dead.
(2011), about a Parthian prince enslaved in Rome who joins the rebellion of Spartacus; self-published; available as an ebook only.
(2011), about a Parthian prince during a time of warfare between Rome and Parthia in the first century B.C.; sequel to The Parthian; self-published and available as an ebook only.
(1901), about a Byzantine slave of the Huns; based on the historical account of the Byzantine diplomat Priscus about his visit to the court of Attila the Hun.
(2008), about King Tullus Hostilius, the legendary third king of Rome; #3 in the Seven Kings of Rome series; self-published.
(1955), about a young Roman soldier's attempt to recover the legionary eagle standards lost in the disastrous Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. 
(2005), about a man who hunts animals for Roman gladiatorial contests and undertakes a dangerous mission north of the Alps in 34 A.D.
(1957), about the Roman dictator Sulla.
(1965), about an actor who, after becoming a gladiator, is recruited to impersonate Emperor Nero.
(1981), about the rivalry of two half-brothers in the Roman legions posted in Germania during the reign of Vespasian; Damion Hunter is a pen name of Amanda Cockrell; #1 in the Centurions series.
(1982), about the rivalry of two half-brothers in the Roman legions as one is assigned to escort a barbarian princess; Damion Hunter is a pen name of Amanda Cockrell; #2 in the Centurions series.
(1984), the careers of two half-brothers in the Roman legions diverge as one fights pirates in Gaul and the eruption of Vesuvius looms; Damion Hunter is a pen name of Amanda Cockrell; #3 in the Centurions series.
(2010), about a Roman tribune who leads a defending band of Roman military veterans under attack by Boudica and her British rebels; #1 in the Gaius Valerius Verrens series.
(first published 1963 as 
under the pen name Jay Scotland), about the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome.
(1976), a novel which imagines that the Roman satirist Juvenal led a military expedition to conquer Ireland.
, about the poet Catullus and his love affair with Clodia; #1 in the Key trilogy, but can be read as a standalone. 
, about Cicero and the events that led to the downfall of the Roman Republic; #2 in the Key trilogy.
, about a young politician who must choose whether to support Julius Caesar or Pompey the Great in their struggle for power in Rome; #3 in the Key trilogy.
, about a hermaphrodite Goth, his travels through the crumbling fifth century Roman empire, and his friendship with the Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great.
(1938), about the slave revolt led by Spartacus.
(1991), about Augustus' successor as emperor of Rome; #2 in the author's Imperial series.
, about the rise of Julius Caesar; #3 in the author's Imperial series.
(1997), about Mark Antony, one of the assassins of Julius Caesar, and his struggle with Octavian for leadership in Rome after Caesar's death.
(2003), a sympathetic portrayal of one of the most emotionally disturbed Roman emperors.
(1999), about the "year of the three emperors" after the death of Nero.
(2011), about the youth Antinous of Bithynia and his seven-year affair with Emperor Hadrian.
(1996), historical romance about a Germanic priestess and a Celtic chieftain forced into slavery in ancient Rome.
(1979), about a Roman soldier present at the crucifixion and doomed to remain alive until the second coming of Christ; #1 in the Eternal Mercenary series.
(2007), about a Roman soldier doomed to remain alive until the second coming of Christ, who fights in the Civil War; #26 in the Eternal Mercenary series.
(2008), about a Roman soldier doomed to remain alive until the second coming of Christ, who battles against a Thuggee sect with stolen nuclear weapons and a device which allows them to become invisible; #29 in the Eternal Mercenary series.
(2009), about a Roman soldier doomed to remain alive until the second coming of Christ, who fights for the French in the 1812 campaign against Russia; #30 in the Eternal Mercenary series. 
(2009), about a Roman soldier doomed to remain alive until the second coming of Christ, who fights during the Norman invasion of England in 1066; #31 in the Eternal Mercenary series.
(1995), about an imperial legate to Judea and a centurion drawn to the teachings of Jesus during the period before and after the crucifixion; Christian message.
(2010), about a young Roman woman married to an Etruscan in the fifth century B.C. and both shocked and seduced by the hedonistic Etruscan lifestyle.
(1978), #3 in the Gladiators series.
(1990), about a family in third-century Rome after Emperor Aurelian builds a wall around the city.
(original Finnish edition 1955; first English edition 1956), about a young Etruscan man and his spiritual development as he travels through Greece and Italy in the fifth century B.C.
(2011), about a former gladiatrix who finds her new life of luxury unsatisfying and is invited back to the arena to fight the new Gladiatarix Prima; sequel to Gladiatrix.
(1995), about the ancient Roman poet who wrote the Aeneid.
(1996), about the Roman Emperor Nero.
, about the seventh son of a Roman aristocrat assigned to guard a Christian princess after his family is murdered during the time of Nero; #1 in the Septimus Quistus mystery series
, about a Roman lawyer investigating a series of murders of Stoic philosophers; #1 in the Livinius Severus mystery series
(2010), a guide to the Falco mystery series.
, a mystery set in the fifth century Roman Empire, #3 in the Getorius and Arcadia mystery series.
, about a former prostitute married to a wealthy Roman, who must find out who is killing her new clients; #1 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a former prostitute, now widowed, who accepts the job of escorting a vestal virgin back to her family, only to find out the woman is not all she seems; #2 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a beautiful widow who finds herself accused of murder; #3 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a beautiful widow who investigates the murder of five slave girls; #4 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a beautiful widow who begins a flirtation that ends in murder; #5 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a beautiful widow who accepts the job of carrying a pouch to Gaul and finds herself entangled in a treasonous plot; #6 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a former prostitute, now widowed, who must find her kidnapped teenage stepdaughter; #7 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
, about a beautiful widow who helps an investigator try to stop a serial rapist during the holiday season of Saturnalia; #9 in the Claudia Seferius mystery series.
(2009), about a gladiator asked to investigate the murder of three senators at the time of the great fire which burned Rome to the ground in 64 A.D.; self-published. 
(1998), #3 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series.
(2000), about a cultivated Roman who must clear his father-in-law of a murder charge, a project which uncovers a case of wine fraud and worse; #5 in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series.
(2008), about a present-day London woman whose life becomes mysteriously entwined with that of a Celtic princess who lived through the battle in which Caratacus was defeated by the invading Romans.
(2010), about a modern-day woman priest in England who slips 2000 years back in time after she begins seeing a ghostly congregation in the Anglican church she serves and her superior accuses her of witchcraft. 
(2005), about the fifth century Celtic philosopher Pelagius, who rejected the doctrine of original sin and was condemned for originating what became known as the Pelagian Heresy.
(2010), about a Roman centurion posted at Hadrian's Wall whose fellow soldiers may be as dangerous to him as the rebellious Britons if they discover that the Emperor wants him dead; #2 in the Empire series.
(1977), about Boudica (called Boadicea in this novel) and her military general.
(1956; titled 
in the U.S.), about the arrival of the Celts in Britain; #1 (chronologically by setting) in the Celtic series. 
(1952; titled 
in the U.S.), about the defeat of Caratacus by the Romans after their invasion of Britain; #2 (chronologically by setting) in the Celtic series. 
(1958; titled 
in the U.S.), about Boudica and the rebellion she led against Rome; #3 (chronologically by setting) in the Celtic series. 
(1956), a realistic story of King Arthur and the struggle of Celtic Britain to survive after the departure of the Romans; #4 (chronologically by setting) in the Celtic series.
(1999), about a mosaic-maker in second century Roman Britain who investigates a case of murder for his patron, only to have his main suspect turn up murdered as well; #1 in the Libertus mystery series.
, based on ancient legends about Connla and the Irish afterworld.
(2006), historical fantasy about the coming of the Celts to Ireland and their conflicts with the Danu, the ancient "little people" of Ireland.
(2001), about a sixth-century Irish woman who gives up her dream of a life in the church when she saves three orphaned children from slavery and marries in order to provide them with a family; Christian message; #2 in the Fires of Gleannmara series.
(2002), about a seventh-century Irish princess who becomes the captive and bride of a Saxon prince and the reason he rediscovers his mother's Christian faith; #3 in the Fires of Gleannmara series.
(1982), based on the earlier Celtic legends about Queen Guinevere (given her Celtic name Gwynhwyfar in this novel) and the fall of Arthur's kingdom; historical fantasy within a mostly realistic historical setting; #3 in the Down the Long Wind trilogy.
(1978), about the decline of Britain after the departure of Rome, as narrated by Lancelot; #1 in a trilogy.
(1981), a novel which imagines that Robin Hood lived in Britain from prehistoric times into the 1930s; #2 in a trilogy.
(1988), about an archetypal man who lives through pre-Roman times in Britain through the defeat of Nazi Germany; #3 in a trilogy.
(2010), about the heir to the throne of Arthur and the daughter of his sworn enemy; self-published.
(2011), about a high priest in ancient Egypt; self-published.
(1864), an adventure novel about the sixth century B.C. conquest of Egypt by Cambyses II, founder of the Persian Empire; the author, a German Egyptologist, discovered the "Ebers Papyrus," an ancient medical document.
(2011), about Ahmose, wife of Thutmose II and mother of Hatshepsut; #1 in the planned She-King series; self-published. 
(1958), about Hatshepsut, the woman pharaoh who ruled Egypt in the fifteenth century B.C.
(2011), about an Egyptian fisherman's daughter forced into slavery who falls in love with Joseph (of the Bible story) shortly before he is thrown into prison.
(1999), an Egyptian police commander wonders whether four mysterious killings are the work of men or gods; #3 in the Lieutenant Bak mystery series
(2003), a prequel about Lieutenant Bak's first case, in which he hesitates to condemn a woman who appears to have killed her husband; #7 in the Lieutenant Bak mystery series
(2004), about a judge who discovers a plot to overthrow the pharaoh but is sent to a prison camp on a false charge before he can complete his investigation; #2 in the Judge of Egypt trilogy.
(2004), about a chief magistrate and his wife trying to solve a murder and halt a conspiracy to overthrow the pharaoh; #3 in the Judge of Egypt trilogy.
(2007), about a young scribe who finds his boss and fellow scribes murdered at their workplace; #1 in the Vengeance of the Gods series.
(2008), about a young scribe unjustly accused of murder while Egypt is threatened in different ways by both Greece and Persia; #2 in the Vengeance of the Gods series.
(1956), about Zenobia of Palmyra, the third century queen who went to war with Rome during the time of Emperor Aurelian.
(2011), about Mary Magdalen after the death of Jesus; #3 in the Maeve Chronicles series.
(1980), about the Old Testament patriarch Abraham; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #1 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1981), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #2 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1983), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #3 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1986), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #5 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1986), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #6 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1988), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #9 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1990), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #12 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1992), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by George Warren, the author of the first 14 books in this series; #14 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1993), based on Old Testament stories; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by Franklin King for this novel; #15 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1993), based on Old Testament stories about King Saul's wars against the Philistines; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by Hugh Zachary, the author of #16-18 in this series; #16 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1994), based on the Old Testament story of King Saul and David; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by Hugh Zachary, the author of #16-18 in this series; #17 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1995), based on Old Testament stories about King David; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by Hugh Zachary, the author of #16-18 in this series; #18 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1996), based on Old Testament stories about King David's wars; Christian message; Peter Danielson was a pen name used by James Reasoner for this novel; #19 in the Children of the Lion series.
(1948), about the revolt of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BC., the event commemorated by the Hanukkah festival.
(1998), about a slave girl in ancient Egypt who falls in love with her fellow slave, the Hebrew outcast Joseph; Christian message; #1 in the Legacies of the Ancient River series.
(2004), a retelling of the Gospel story from the perspective of Simon Barjona, whom Jesus renames Peter.
(2010), a retelling of the Biblical story of Abram and his travels to Sodom and Gomorrah; self-published.
(1950), about the young Jewish woman who becomes the wife of King Ahasuerus.
(2006), a reimagining of the story of Judas, the betrayer of Jesus.
(original Finnish edition 1959; English translation 1961), about a Roman citizen traveling in Jerusalem whose experience of Jesus's crucifixion leads him to study Jesus's life and convert to Christianity.
(original Finnish edition 1964; English edition 1966), about the son of a Roman convert to Christianity whose travels bring him from Rome, where a boyhood friendship with Nero brings him uncomfortably close to the emperor, to Greece, Britain and Jerusalem; sequel to The Secret of the Kingdom.