Historical novels arranged by the period of their setting

Rome as a Kingdom

''If you know of works set in the pre-Republican era, please expand this section.'' * ''Founding Fathers'' (1959) by Alfred Duggan. Originally titled ''Children of the Wolf'', this novel tells the story of King Romulus and the founding of Rome through the eyes of a variety of characters who come to the new city. * Roma (2007) by Steven Saylor. According to the author's website, the book covers part of Rome's early history.http://www.stevensaylor.com/ Saylor, Steven. "Steven Saylor website". Retrieved May 16, 2007

Early Republic (before 264 BC)

''If you know of works set in the Early Republic, please expand this section.'' * Roma, published March 6, 2007, by Steven Saylor. According to the author's website, the book covers part of Rome's early history. *

The Etruscan ''The Etruscan'' (original title ''Turms, kuolematon'' which translates to ''Turms, Immortal'') is a novel by Mika Waltari, published in 1956, telling of the adventures of a young man, Turms, which begins approximately in 480 BC. It tells of the ...

Mika Waltari Mika Toimi Waltari (; 19 September 1908 – 26 August 1979) was a Finnish writer, best known for his best-selling novel ''The Egyptian'' (). He was extremely productive. Besides his novels he also wrote poetry, short stories, crime novels, plays, ...

. Part of the story is set on the first few years of the Republic. * ''Traitors’ Legion'' (Ace G-532,1963) by Jay Scotland, a swashbuckler about a disgraced legion, set in Hannibal's time.

Middle Republic (264–133 BC)

''If you know of works set in the Middle Republic, please expand this section.'' * Roma, published March 6, 2007, by Steven Saylor. According to the author's website, the book covers part of Rome's Republican history. * ''Scipio: A Novel'', published March 1998 by Ross Leckie. This is the second book in a loose trilogy about the Second Punic War. * ''Scipio trilogy'' by Santiago Posteguillo (the

Punic Wars The Punic Wars were a series of wars fought between the Roman Republic and the Ancient Carthage, Carthaginian Empire during the period 264 to 146BC. Three such wars took place, involving a total of forty-three years of warfare on both land and ...

general Publius Cornelius Scipio) #''Africanus, el hijo del cónsul'' #''Las legiones malditas'' #''La traición de Roma'' * ''Of Merchants & Heroes'', published 2008 by Paul Waters. Set at the end of the 3rd century BC, about the life of a fictional Roman called Marcus. In the novel Marcus becomes involved in the war against Philip V of Macedon, which was led by Titus Quinctius Flamininus, who later became Consul and is a major character in the story. * "Salammbô", published 1977 by Gustave Flaubert. 240 BC. The novel is set before and during the Mercenary War, an uprising of mercenaries in the employ of Carthage in the 3rd century BC. * "The Shield of Rome", published 2011 by William Kelso. 216 BC. The novel is set during "Rome's finest hour" after the battle of Cannae when Hannibal threatens the very existence of the Republic. * "The Fortune of Carthage", published 2012 by William Kelso. 207 BC. The novel is set during the 2nd Punic War and covers Hasdrubal Barca's attempt to link up with the Carthaginian army of his brother Hannibal. * "Rome: Destroy Carthage", published 2013 by David Gibbins. 146 BC. The novel was written to promote the strategy game "Rome 2 Total War" and is set during the 3nd Punic War and covers the siege and utter destruction of Carthage.

Late Republic (after 132 BC)

* ''Viriato'' by João Aguiar (late 2nd, early 1st century BC,

Viriathus Viriathus (also spelled Viriatus; known as Viriato in Portuguese language, Portuguese and Spanish language, Spanish; died 139 Anno Domini, BC) was the most important leader of the Lusitanians, Lusitanian people that resisted Roman Republic, Roma ...

) * ''The Bow of Heaven'' (2011) by Andrew Levkoff, a novel of events leading up to the battle of Carrhae, and the triumvir responsible for one of the greatest defeats suffered by Republican Rome, Marcus Licinius Crassus * '' Young Caesar'' (1958) by Rex Warner * '' Imperium'' and '' Lustrum (novel)'' by Robert Harris, the first two volumes of a trilogy of fictionalized biography told by his slave, later freedman, Tiro depicting Cicero's rise to the consulship in 63 BC and subsequent role in the final days of the Republic. * ''A Pillar of Iron'' (1965) by Taylor Caldwell, a fictionalized biography of Cicero. * ''Imperial Caesar'' (1960) also by Rex Warner * '' The Ides of March'' (1948) by Thornton Wilder, culminating in Caesar's assassination. * ''Caesar'', ''Antony'' by Allan Massie * ''Freedom, farewell!'' by Phyllis Bentley. * The '' Roma Sub Rosa'' series by Steven Saylor is set in the later years of the Republic and the beginning of the Augustan period. * '' Roma'', published March 6, 2007, by Steven Saylor. According to the author's website, the book covers part of Rome's early history. * The ''Emperor'' Series (2003-2013), by Conn Iggulden, Julius Caesar's life * ''The Last King: Rome's Greatest Enemy'' (2005) by Michael Curtis Ford. The career of Mithridates VI (134-63 BC) * The '' Masters of Rome'' series by Colleen McCullough. Beginning before the birth of

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caesar's civil wa ...

to after his death, it details the self-immolation of the Roman Republic. * ''

Spartacus Spartacus (; ) was a Thracians, Thracian gladiator (Thraex) who was one of the Slavery in ancient Rome, escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major Slave rebellion, slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Historical accounts o ...

'' by Howard Fast * ''

'' by Lewis Grassic Gibbon * ''Three's Company'' (1958) by Alfred Duggan. The career of Lepidus, triumvir with Octavian and Marcus Antonius after the death of Julius Caesar. * ''Winter Quarters'' (1956) by Alfred Duggan. Two Gauls in the time of Julius Caesar, one of whom is under a curse from the Mother Goddess, whose worship he finds throughout the Roman world. * ''The Conquered'' by

Naomi Mitchison Naomi Mary Margaret Mitchison, Baroness Mitchison (; 1 November 1897 – 11 January 1999) was a List of Scottish novelists, Scottish novelist and poet. Often called a doyenne of Scottish literature, she wrote more than 90 books of historical an ...

(1923). Gaul & the Gallic Wars 1st century BC * ''Beric the Briton: A Story of the Roman Invasion'' (1893) by G. A. Henty * ''Imperial Caesar'' (1960) also by Rex Warner

Early/High Empire (27 BC to AD 192)

* ''Someday Never Comes'' by Mk Kayem * '' An Imaginary Life'' by

David Malouf David George Joseph Malouf (; born 20 March 1934) is an Australian poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright and Libretto, librettist. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2008, Malouf has lectured at both the University ...

. A fictional account of the poet Ovid's exile from Rome. * '' The Last World'' by Christoph Ransmayr. Another Ovid-related novel. * ''The Quest For the Lost Roman Legions'' by Tony Clunn, Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, with his account of his discovery of the battlefield * ''Persona Non Grata, Terra Incognita, Medicus'' and ''Caveat Emptor'', a series of mysteries featuring the "reluctant sleuth" Gaius Petreius Ruso by Ruth Downie, set around 120 AD. * ''Three Legions'' series by Rosemary Sutcliff set in Roman Britain c. 130 AD. The three novels consist of '' The Eagle of the Ninth'' (1954), ''The Silver Branch'' (1957), and ''The Lantern Bearers'' (1959). The three were first collected in one volume as ''Three Legions'' in 1980. * ''

Empire An empire is a political unit made up of several territories, military outpost (military), outposts, and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a hegemony, dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the ...

'' published August 31, 2010, by Steven Saylor. The book follows two families through Rome's Imperial history, from the reign of

Augustus Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in A ...

to the reign of

Hadrian Hadrian ( ; ; 24 January 76 – 10 July 138) was Roman emperor from 117 to 138. Hadrian was born in Italica, close to modern Seville in Spain, an Italic peoples, Italic settlement in Hispania Baetica; his branch of the Aelia gens, Aelia '' ...

. The sequel to Roma. * ''Vespasian'' series by Robert Fabbri. The series details the early career and rise to power of

Vespasian Vespasian (; ; 17 November AD 9 – 23 June 79) was Roman emperor from 69 to 79. The last emperor to reign in the Year of the Four Emperors, he founded the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for 27 years. His fiscal reforms and consolida ...

The Julio-Claudian Dynasty

* ''The Nero Prediction'' by Humphry Knipe * ''The Roman'' (1964) by

* ''The Tribune: A Novel of Ancient Rome'' by Patrick Larkin * ''

'' by

John Williams John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932)Nylund, Rob (November 15, 2022)Classic Connection review, ''WBOI'' ("For the second time this year, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic honored American composer, conductor, and arranger John Williams, who w ...

* ''Augustus'', ''Tiberius'', ''Caligula'' and ''Nero's Heirs'' by Allan Massie * '' Empire: The Novel of Imperial Rome'' by Steven Saylor * ''Let the Emperor Speak: A novel of Caesar Augustus'' by Allan Massie, Doubleday & Company, Inc, New York, 1987 (First published in Great Britain in 1986 by the Bodley Head as ''Augustus''). Also by this author: ''Caesar'', ''Anthony'', ''Tiberius'', ''Caligula'' and ''Nero's Heirs''. * ''Pretender'' by

Lion Feuchtwanger Lion Feuchtwanger (; 7 July 1884 – 21 December 1958) was a German Jewish novelist and playwright. A prominent figure in the literary world of Weimar Republic, Weimar Germany, he influenced contemporaries including playwright Bertolt Brecht. ...

* ''The Longest Exile'' (2024) and ''Daughter of Exile'' (2024) by Tana Rebellis, primarily following Julia the Younger, exiled granddaughter of

, as well as her daughter, Aemilia Lepida, with secondary characters such as Julia the Elder, Agrippa Postumus, the poet

Ovid Publius Ovidius Naso (; 20 March 43 BC – AD 17/18), known in English as Ovid ( ), was a Augustan literature (ancient Rome), Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a younger contemporary of Virgil and Horace, with whom he i ...

, and others. Books about early Christians or Jesus include: * '' Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ'' (1880) by Lew Wallace; famously made into a film starring

Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008) was an American actor. He gained stardom for his leading man roles in numerous Cinema of the United States, Hollywood films including biblical epics, science-fiction f ...

; set in the reign of

Tiberius Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus ( ; 16 November 42 BC – 16 March AD 37) was Roman emperor from AD 14 until 37. He succeeded his stepfather Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Tiberius was born in Rome in 42 BC to Roman politician Tiberius Cl ...

in Judaea, the Mediterranean, and Rome. Epilogues carry the story into the reign of

Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( ; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68) was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his ...

* '' I Am a Barbarian'' (1967, written 1941) by

Edgar Rice Burroughs Edgar Rice Burroughs (September 1, 1875 – March 19, 1950) was an American writer, best known for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Best known for creating the characters Tarzan (who appeared in ...

; the fictionalized memoirs of

Caligula Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (31 August 12 – 24 January 41), also called Gaius and Caligula (), was Roman emperor from AD 37 until his assassination in 41. He was the son of the Roman general Germanicus and Augustus' granddaughter Ag ...

's slave. * ''A Voice in the Wind'' (1994) by Francine Rivers; the story of Hadassah, a Christian slave taken from Jerusalem and taken to Rome in the time of Titus and his father Mark of the Lion Trilogy book 1 * ''An Echo in the Darkness'' (1995) by Francine Rivers; the continuing story of Hadassah and Marcus. Mark of the Lion Trilogy book 2 * ''As Sure as the Dawn'' (1995) by Francine Rivers; the continuing story of Atretes. Mark of the Lion Trilogy book 3 * '' The Robe'' (1942), by Lloyd C. Douglas, set in the same period as Ben-Hur; like Ben-Hur, more famous as a film. Books about Claudius or set in his reign include: * '' I, Claudius'' (1934) and its sequel, ''Claudius the God'' (1935), by Robert Graves. The classic and influential dramatised account of the life of the emperor Claudius, made into a popular TV series (see below). * ''The Eagle'' series by Nigerian-born British novelist Simon Scarrow. The first book '' Under the Eagle'' (part of the Eagle series) was published 2000 by Simon Scarrow. Story of Roman invasion of Britain, featuring a young

. Other books in the series include '' The Eagle's Conquest'' (2001 set in 42 AD (introducing Boudicca at the end); '' When the Eagle Hunts'' (2002) set in 44 AD. Other books in the series include ''The Eagle and the Wolves'' (2003), ''The Eagle's Prey'' (2004), ''The Eagle's Prophecy'' (2005), ''The Eagle in the Sand'' (2006), and the forthcoming ''Centurion'' (January - 2008). Books set in Nero's reign include: * '' Beric the Briton, A Story of the Roman Invasion'' (1893) by G. A. Henty; the story of a Romanized Briton captured as a rebel and sent to Rome as a gladiator * '' Quo Vadis'' (1895/1896), by Henryk Sienkiewicz set in the reign of

in 64 AD. * ''The Flames of Rome'' by Paul L. Maier * ''The Gladiator'' by Thames Williamson * ''A Song for Nero'' (2003) by Tom Holt, writing as Thomas Holt. * ''Nero, the Bloody Poet'' by Dezső Kosztolányi * ''Imperial Governor'' (1968, reprinted 2002), George Shipway, the Icenii revolt under Boudicca. * ''The Roman'' (1964) by

* '' The Cleft'' by Doris Lessing is a book supposedly written by an historian during Nero's reign. * ''Venator'' (2024) by A. M. Swink, the first in the Roman Equestrian series, which is set in Roman Britain just before the onset of the Boudican revolt.

The Flavian Dynasty

* ''Josephus Trilogy'' (1959), by

about Flavius Josephus, but set in Ancient Rome during Reign of Vespasianus and Titus * ''The Course of Honour'' (1998), the first novel by Lindsey Davis (later author of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries, which also take place during the reign on Vespasianus) narrates the history of

's imperial freedwoman mistress Antonia Caenis. * '' The Light Bearer'' (1994), by Donna Gillespie tells the story of a Germanic female warrior who becomes a gladiator in Rome in the reign of Domitian. * '' The Last Days of Pompeii'' by E.G.Bulwer-Lytton * ''

Pompeii Pompeii ( ; ) was a city in what is now the municipality of Pompei, near Naples, in the Campania region of Italy. Along with Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Villa Boscoreale, many surrounding villas, the city was buried under of volcanic ash and p ...

'' by Robert Harris, tells the story of Pompeii and the volcano Vesuveus during the reign of Titus. * ''The Jew of Rome'' by

The Nervan-Antonian (Ulpio-Aelia) Dynasty

* ''Empress of the Seven Hills'' by Kate Quinn is set during the reign of Trajan. * ''Lady of the Eternal City'' by Kate Quinn is set during the reign of Hadrian. * '' Memoirs of Hadrian'' (1951) by Marguerite Yourcenar * ''The Emperor'' by Georg Ebers, another fictitious biography of Hadrian * '' A God Strolling in the Cool of the Evening'' (1994) by Mario de Carvalho, set mainly in Roman

Lusitania Lusitania (; ) was an ancient Iberian Roman province encompassing most of modern-day Portugal (south of the Douro River) and a large portion of western Spain (the present Extremadura and Province of Salamanca). Romans named the region after th ...

* '' Marius the Epicurean'' (1885) by Walter Pater

Middle Empire (AD 193–293)

*'' Family Favourites'' (1960), by Alfred Duggan; a tale of court life under the teenage emperor Elagabalus, as recounted by his personal bodyguard *''Heliogabalus or, the Crowned Anarchist'' (1934) by Antonin Artaud, a novelized biography of the teenage emperor Elagabalus, a powerful concoction of sexual excess, self-deification and terminal violence *''The Unconquered Sun'' by Ralph Dulin, follows the life of the emperor Aurelian and his wife *''Warrior Of Rome'' series by historian Harry Sidebottom, takes place in the years 238 to 264, mostly from 256 to 264, six books so far published *''Iron And Rust'' also by historian Harry Sidebottom, takes place before the Warrior Of Rome series

Late Empire: West (AD 293–457)

* '' Helena'' by Evelyn Waugh; follows the quest of the Empress Helena, a Christian and the mother of Emperor Constantine to uncover the remains of the cross upon which Christ was crucified. * '' Julian'' (1964) by

Gore Vidal Eugene Luther Gore Vidal ( ; born Eugene Louis Vidal, October 3, 1925 – July 31, 2012) was an American writer and public intellectual known for his acerbic epigrammatic wit. His novels and essays interrogated the Social norm, social and sexual ...

, fictionalized biography of the emperor Julian the Apostate, who tried to revive

Paganism Paganism (, later 'civilian') is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions other than Christianity, Judaism, and Samaritanism. In the time of the ...

* ''The Last Legion: A Novel'' by Valerio Massimo Manfredi; fictionalized story of the emperor

Romulus Augustulus Romulus Augustus (after 511), nicknamed Augustulus, was Roman emperor of the Western Roman Empire, West from 31 October 475 until 4 September 476. Romulus was placed on the imperial throne while still a minor by his father Orestes (father of Ro ...

and what might have happened to his surviving retinue. * '' The Death of the Gods. Julian the Apostate'' ( Russian: Смерть богов. Юлиан Отступник) by Dmitry Merezhkovsky in 1895.The novel tells the story of Roman Emperor Julian who during his reign (361–363) was trying to restore the cult of Olympian gods in Rome, resisting the upcoming Christianity. * '' Eagle in the Snow'' (1970) by Wallace Breem; set in

Britannia The image of Britannia () is the national personification of United Kingdom, Britain as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield. An image first used by the Romans in classical antiquity, the Latin was the name variously appli ...

and

Germania Germania ( ; ), also more specifically called Magna Germania (English: ''Great Germania''), Germania Libera (English: ''Free Germania''), or Germanic Barbaricum to distinguish it from the Roman provinces of Germania Inferior and Germania Superio ...

in the late 4th and early 5th century; features a Mithraic Roman general. * ''The Little Emperors'' (1951) by Alfred Duggan. A succession of coups in late-Roman Britain. * ''Gods And Legions: A Novel of the Roman Empire'' (2002) by Michael Curtis Ford * ''The Sword of Attila: A Novel of the Last Years of Rome'' (2005) by Michael Curtis Ford * ''The Fall of Rome: A Novel of a World Lost'' (2007) by Michael Curtis Ford * '' Raptor'' (1993) by Gary Jennings is an historical novel set in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. It purports to be the memoirs of an Ostrogoth, Thorn, who has a secret. * ''Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth Century Rome'' (1966) by Hella Haasse * ''Legionary'' (2011) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Viper of the North'' (2012) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Land of the Sacred Fire'' (2013) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: The Scourge of Thracia'' (2015) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Gods & Emperors'' (2015) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Empire of Shades'' (2017) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: The Blood Road'' (2018) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Dark Eagle'' (2020) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: The Emperor's Shield'' (2023) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Devotio'' (2025) by Gordon Doherty * ''Legionary: Eagles in the Desert'' (2020) by Gordon Doherty * ''Sons of Rome'' (2020) by Gordon Doherty & S.J.A. Turney * ''Masters of Rome'' (2021) by Gordon Doherty & S.J.A. Turney * ''Gods of Rome'' (2021) by Gordon Doherty & S.J.A. Turney

Byzantine Empire (AD 457–1453)

* '' Anna of Byzantium'', 1999 * '' Bélisaire'' * Belisarius series by David Drake and

Eric Flint Eric Flint (February 6, 1947 – July 17, 2022) was an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his works are alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures. His works have been listed on ' ...

* '' Count Belisarius'' (1938), by Robert Graves, set in the 6th century, in the reign of

Justinian Justinian I (, ; 48214 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was Roman emperor from 527 to 565. His reign was marked by the ambitious but only partly realized ''renovatio imperii'', or "restoration of the Empire". This ambition was ...

* ''The Dancing Bear'' (1972), by Peter Dickinson. Young adult. * ''

'', a novel, by H N Turteltaub (

Harry Turtledove Harry Norman Turtledove (born June 14, 1949) is an American author who is best known for his work in the genres of alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery fiction. He is a student of history and completed his ...

), August 1998 * '' The Palaeologian Dynasty. The Rise and Fall of Byzantium'' * '' Roma Eterna'' (2003), by

Robert Silverberg Robert Silverberg (born January 15, 1935) is a prolific American science fiction author and editor. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo Award, Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a SFWA Grand ...

* '' A Struggle for Rome'' (1876), by Felix Dahn * '' Tirant lo Blanch'' (finished posthumously by Martí Joan de Galba, published 1490), by Joanot Martorell * '' Up the Line'' (1969), by

* ''Strategos: Born in the Borderlands'' (2011) by Gordon Doherty * ''Strategos: Rise of the Golden Heart'' (2011) by Gordon Doherty * ''Strategos: Island in the Storm'' (2011) by Gordon Doherty

Unknown period

* '' Avventura nel primo secolo'' by Paolo Monelli * ''Conscience of the King'', ''The Little Emperors'' and ''Family Favourites'' by Alfred Duggan * ''Antonia'' by Brenda Jagger * ''The Tribune: A Novel of Ancient Rome'' by Patrick Larkin * ''Hadrian's Wall: A Novel'' by William Dietrich * ''The Centurion: A Novel'' (1986) by Jan de Hartog * ''The Nero Prediction'' by Humphry Knipe

Detective fiction

* ''Search the Seven Hills'' (''The Quirinal Hill Affair'') (1987) by Barbara Hambly * The '' Roma Sub Rosa'' series (1991–2012) by Steven Saylor, starts with ''Roman Blood'' (1991); the books cover the period 92 BC to 46 BC. * The '' Marcus Didius Falco'' series by Lindsey Davis, starts with The Silver Pigs; set in the reign of

. * The ''

SPQR SPQR or S.P.Q.R., an initialism for (; ), is an emblematic phrase referring to the government of the Roman Republic. It appears on documents made public by an inscription in stone or metal, in dedications of monuments and public works, and on ...

'' series by John Maddox Roberts. * The ''Marcus Corvinus (fictional character)'' series by David Wishart * The '' Roman Mysteries'' young adults' detective/drama series by Caroline Lawrence * The '' Caius Trilogy'' by German author Henry Winterfeld: ''Caius ist ein Dummkopf'' (Caius is an Idiot); ''Caius geht ein Licht auf'' (Caius has an Inspiration), and ''Caius in der Klemme'' (Caius in a Fix). The first part was published in English with the alternate title '' Detectives in Togas''. The second was published in English with the alternate title '' Mystery of the Roman Ransom''. * The ''

Eagle Eagle is the common name for the golden eagle, bald eagle, and other birds of prey in the family of the Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of Genus, genera, some of which are closely related. True eagles comprise the genus ''Aquila ( ...

'' series by Simon Scarrow (see above) * The '' Germanicus Mosaic'' series by Rosemary Rowe - set in later Roman Britain

Science fiction/time travel novels

* ''Caesar's Bicycle'' (1997) (Timeline Wars series) by John Barnes * ''Arria Marcella'' (1852) by Théophile Gautier set in 79 AD in

* '' Household Gods'' (1999), by Judith Tarr and

set in the reign of

Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ( ; ; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoicism, Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the rulers later known as the Five Good Emperors ...

* ''The Time Travelling Cat and the Roman Eagle'' (2001) by Julia Jarman * "Codex Alera" Jim Butcher's fantasy take on what happened to the Lost Roman Legion.

Alternate history

The following alternate history novels are set in fictional universes where Rome's struggle with Carthage went differently * '' The Seven Hills'' (2005) by John Maddox Roberts * '' Delenda Est'' by Poul Anderson * '' Lest Darkness Fall'' (1939) by L. Sprague de Camp; a time-travelling American alters history, set in 535 AD. * '' Agent of Byzantium'' by

set in an alternate 14th century with no Islam. * '' Hannibal's Children'' (2002) and its sequel '' The Seven Hills'' by John Maddox Roberts. A victorious Hannibal sends all the Romans into exile, but they found a new city and their descendants return for vengeance. ''The following alternate history novels are set in fictional universes where the Roman Empire never fell, and has endured to the present day:'' * '' Romanitas'' (2005), by Sophia McDougall * '' Rome Burning'' (2006), sequel to ''Romanitas'', by Sophia McDougall * '' Roma Eterna'', a 2003 novel by

* '' Warlords of Utopia'' by Lance Parkin * '' Gunpowder Empire'' by

* ''The Aquiliad'' (1983), by Somtow Sucharitkul. Circa 50 AD. A light-hearted novel in which Roman legions discover America, battle the Aztecs, encounter Big Foot, and drive off flying saucers. * '' Oebis'' (2002), by Scott Mackay. Romans return to a modern-day Earth to retake it from alien invaders who exiled them centuries ago and imposed a strange form of Christianity. * The Germanicus trilogy, a collection of books by Kirk Mitchell. * ''

Emperor The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

'' (2006), by Stephen Baxter. After a Celtic chieftain obeys an ancient prophecy, and sides with the invaders, the history of Roman Britain takes a different path. First in a series. * ''INCEPTIO'' (2013) first in the ten book Roma Nova thriller series by Alison Morton where a remnant of the ancient empire has survived into the 21st century and is led by women.

Comic books

* '' The Adventures of Alix'' (1948–now) series by Jacques Martin of which some titles are set in Rome and the Ancient World. This series has a spin-off, called ''The travels of Alix'', that gives illustrated information on famous places and empires of the Ancient World during the Roman Era. * '' Astérix'' (1959–now) series by

René Goscinny René Goscinny (; ; 14 August 1926 – 5 November 1977) was a French comic editor and writer, who created the ''Asterix, Astérix'' comic book series with illustrator Albert Uderzo. Born in France to a Jewish family from Poland, he spent his chil ...

(stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). A tiny village in Gaul holds out against the Roman Army, and its doughtiest warriors meet all the famous Romans. * ''Murena'' (1997–now) series by Jean Dufaux and Philippe Delaby * ''Le Fléau des Dieux'' (2000–2006) series by Valérie Mangin and Aleksa Gajic. Science fiction set in a remote future

Movies

* '' Quo Vadis'' - U.S. 1951 director Mervyn LeRoy * '' The Robe'' - U.S. 1953 director

Henry Koster Henry Koster (born Hermann Kosterlitz, May 1, 1905 – September 21, 1988) was a German-born film director. He was the husband of actress Peggy Moran. Early life Koster was born to Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He was introduced to cin ...

* '' Demetrius and the Gladiators'' - U.S. 1954 director Delmer Daves (sequel to ''The Robe'') * '' Jupiter's Darling'' - U.S. 1955 director George Sidney, based on a play by Robert E. Sherwood * '' Ben-Hur'' - U.S. 1959 director

William Wyler William Wyler (; born Willi Wyler (); July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a German-born American film director and producer. Known for his work in numerous genres over five decades, he received numerous awards and accolades, including three Aca ...

* ''

'' - U.S. 1960 director Stanley Kubrick * ''

King of Kings King of Kings, ''Mepet mepe''; , group="n" was a ruling title employed primarily by monarchs based in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Commonly associated with History of Iran, Iran (historically known as name of Iran, Persia ...

'' - U.S. 1961 director Nicholas Ray * ''

Cleopatra Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator (; The name Cleopatra is pronounced , or sometimes in both British and American English, see and respectively. Her name was pronounced in the Greek dialect of Egypt (see Koine Greek phonology). She was ...

'' - U.S. 1963 director Joseph L. Mankiewicz * '' The Fall of the Roman Empire'' - U.S. 1964 director

Anthony Mann Anthony Mann (born Emil Anton Bundsmann; June 30, 1906 – April 29, 1967) was an American film director and stage actor. He came to prominence as a skilled director of ''Film noirs, film noir'' and Western film, Westerns, and for his Epic film ...

* '' The Greatest Story Ever Told'' - U.S. 1965 director

George Stevens George Cooper Stevens (December 18, 1904 – March 8, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for ''A Place in the Sun (1951 film), A Place in the Sun'' (1951) ...

* '' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' - U.S. 1966 director

Richard Lester Richard Lester Liebman (born January 19, 1932) is an American retired film director, who spent the majority of his professional life in the United Kingdom. He is known for the fast-paced, flamboyant directing he brought to his comedy films, mo ...

* '' Fellini Satyricon'' - Italy 1969 director Federico Fellini * '' Jesus Christ Superstar'' - U.S. 1973 director

Norman Jewison Norman Frederick Jewison (July 21, 1926 – January 20, 2024) was a Canadian filmmaker. He was known for directing films which addressed topical Social issue, social and political issues, often making controversial or complicated subjects acces ...

* '' Sebastiane'' - UK 1976 director Derek Jarman * ''

'' - U.S. 1979 director

Tinto Brass Giovanni "Tinto" Brass (born 26 March 1933) is an Italian film director and screenwriter. In the 1960s and 1970s, he directed many critically acclaimed avant-garde films of various genres. Today, he is mainly known for his later work in the Erot ...

* '' Monty Python's Life of Brian'' - U.K. 1979 director Terry Jones * '' History of the World Part 1'' - U.S. 1981 director

Mel Brooks Melvin James Brooks (né Kaminsky; born June 28, 1926) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and songwriter. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodie ...

* '' The Last Temptation of Christ'' - U.S. 1988 director

Martin Scorsese Martin Charles Scorsese ( , ; born November17, 1942) is an American filmmaker. One of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, he has received List of awards and nominations received by Martin Scorsese, many accolades, including an Academ ...

* '' Titus'' - U.S. 1999 director Julie Taymor * '' Gladiator'' - U.S. 2000 director Ridley Scott * '' Quo Vadis'' - Polish/U.S. 2001 director Jerzy Kawalerowicz, remake of 1951 film * ''

King Arthur According to legends, King Arthur (; ; ; ) was a king of Great Britain, Britain. He is a folk hero and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain. In Wales, Welsh sources, Arthur is portrayed as a le ...

'' - U.S. 2004 director Antoine Fuqua * '' The Passion of the Christ'' - U.S. 2004 director Mel Gibson * '' The Nativity Story'' - U.S. 2006 director Catherine Hardwicke * ''

Agora The agora (; , romanized: ', meaning "market" in Modern Greek) was a central public space in ancient Ancient Greece, Greek polis, city-states. The literal meaning of the word "agora" is "gathering place" or "assembly". The agora was the center ...

'' - Spain 2009 director Alejandro Amenábar * '' Centurion'' - UK 2010 director Neil Marshall * '' The Eagle'' - UK 2011 director Kevin Macdonald

Plays

* Joseph Addison ** ''Cato'' * Albert Camus ** ''Caligula'' * Pierre Corneille ** '' Cinna'' * Henrik Ibsen **'' Emperor and Galilean'' *

Ben Jonson Benjamin Jonson ( 11 June 1572 – ) was an English playwright, poet and actor. Jonson's artistry exerted a lasting influence on English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours; he is best known for the satire, satirical ...

** '' Sejanus, His Fall'' * Heinrich von Kleist ** ''Die Hermannsschlacht'' *

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

** '' Titus Andronicus'' ** ''

'' ** '' Antony and Cleopatra'' ** '' Coriolanus'' ** '' Cymbeline'' * Robert Sherwood **'' The Road to Rome'' (1927), on which a little-known 1955 film '' Jupiter's Darling'' was based. *

Stephen Sondheim Stephen Joshua Sondheim (; March22, 1930November26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. Regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theater, he is credited with reinventing the American musical. He received Lis ...

** '' A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum''

Television

* '' I, Claudius'' * ''

'' minisieries by Uli Edel * '' Masada'' * '' Mystery Science Theater 3000'' (part of season 8) * '' Pompeii: The Last Day'' a dramatized documentary * '' The Roman Holidays'' * ''

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

'' * ''

'' miniseries by Robert Dornhelm (director) * '' Spartacus: Blood and Sand'' * '' Up Pompeii!'' * '' Bread and Circuses (Star Trek: The Original Series)''

Video games

Works inspired by Roman history, or by works of fiction and non-fiction about Rome

Science fiction

* '' Empire of the Atom'', by A. E. van Vogt, translates Graves' novel about Claudius (above) into a science fiction context. * The '' Foundation series'' by

Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov ( ; – April 6, 1992) was an Russian-born American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. H ...

, about the fall of a galactic empire, is derived from Gibbon's '' Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire''. * '' Dominic Flandry'' series by Poul Anderson, a space empire similarly inspired by Gibbon's history (and by Asimov) is decaying and about to collapse into a Long Night of barbarism; a heroic secret agent fights to stave off this fate. * '' Julian Comstock'' by Robert Charles Wilson, about a post-apocalyptic America transformed into a neo-Roman Empire, and a high born youth who, like Julian the Apostate, fights the power of the Church. * '' Bread and Circuses (Star Trek: The Original Series)'' * '' Tarzan and the Lost Empire'' by

, a surviving fragment of the Roman Empire is discovered hidden in a corner of 20th century Africa. * In Philip K. Dick's '' VALIS'' ancient Rome is superimposed over the present (California in the 20th century) and the far future world of '' The Android Cried Me a River'' to reveal "the Empire" – a supra- or trans-temporal constant. Furthermore, it is often repeated that the empire never fell. Also the novel's protagonist is described as living in two spacetime-continua with one of the personalities presently living in ancient Rome. Ancient Rome is also described as to breaking through into the modern world and "real time" is speculated as to having ceased in 70 AD with Roman times still being present.

Comic books

* '' Leading Comics'' - in the 1940s, a series called "Nero Fox" (about a talking animal named Nero Fox, who was emperor of Rome) was published as a backup series in this comic title. * '' Trigan Empire'' was a Science Fiction comic series telling of adventures on the planet Elekton with many similarities to the Roman Empire

References

External links

Fictional Rome

The Detective and the Toga - Roman mysteries
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fiction set in ancient Rome Lists of novels

fiction Fiction is any creative work, chiefly any narrative work, portraying character (arts), individuals, events, or setting (narrative), places that are imagination, imaginary or in ways that are imaginary. Fictional portrayals are thus inconsistent ...

Historical novels arranged by the period of their setting

Rome as a Kingdom

Early Republic (before 264 BC)

Middle Republic (264–133 BC)

Late Republic (after 132 BC)

Early/High Empire (27 BC to AD 192)

The Julio-Claudian Dynasty

The Flavian Dynasty

The Nervan-Antonian (Ulpio-Aelia) Dynasty

Middle Empire (AD 193–293)

Late Empire: West (AD 293–457)

Byzantine Empire (AD 457–1453)

Unknown period

Detective fiction

Science fiction/time travel novels

Alternate history

Comic books

Movies

Plays

Television

Video games

Works inspired by Roman history, or by works of fiction and non-fiction about Rome

Science fiction

Comic books

See also

References

External links