Introduction

Introduction

"I have lived long enough to satisfy both nature and glory."

Julius Caesar

Ancient Rome. You can't go through life without hearing about it at least once. More so if you payed attention in history class. Despite the fact that it hasn't existed since ancient times, it had such a huge impact and influence on history, that it is one of the most well known and talked about ancient civilizations, alongside Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. If you were to visit modern Rome in what is now the country of Italy, you can still see their legacy in the form of remnants like the Colosseum.

Ancient Rome was a frequent subject of Victorian historical fiction and also popular throughout the 20th century. It was similarly popular in movies, though it fell out of fashion for a couple of decades until the game-changing success of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, released in 2000. Since then the floodgates of fictional Rome have been torn open. Have you ever wondered what life was like in those days or ? Imagined what it was like to be a citizen or ruler of that great civilization? To live their life in their society and culture? Well, historical fiction focusing on that civilisation can provide you insight into that era: the tales of the conquered and the oppressed by Roman forces, the imperialistic point of views from the Roman legions and there quite a few novels concerning the new testament. There a lot of genres that can be attached to historical fiction as a whole. In this case there are Roman detective novels, military historicals, sea stories, epics, and literary novels. There is fantasy as well, especially concerning their gods and mythical creatures.

Come, these books can to take you on a journey back in time, thousands of years ago, to Ancient Rome.

Rome

Creators: Bruno Heller; William J. MacDonald; John Milius;

Annotation: An historic drama TV series, Rome tells the story of the wealthiest city in the world, the capital of the Roman Empire final century. It tells of the daily lives
of its people, both the wealthy and powerful, and the common citizens. As the show goes on, we see Rome in danger of falling to infighting and strife, the old Republican ideals that were founded the same time as the city failing due to corruption and greed. Though we get introduced to many characters, a lot of which are based on real life people in history, the main characters are two Roman soldiers: Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, who become in series of events and conflicts as the show goes on.

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Risen

 

Director: Kevin Reynolds
Label: Universal Sony Pictures

Annotation: We all know the story of Jesus Christ: his birth, his life as a teacher and prophet, his death on the Cross and his Resurrection. Not only do we know the story from the Bible, Jesus Christ also has been the subject of many films and books. This time we are seeing a different point of view, through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius is an ambitious Roman Military Tribune  who was sent to Judea to put down revolts, where he witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (also called Yeshua). He is later tasked by Pontius Pilate to locate Jesus's missing body to put down rumours of a resurrected messiah, a Jewish uprising and to appease Caesar. But his investigation will drastically change his entire being and be confronted with a truth he deemed impossible.

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The scourge of God

Author: William Dietrich
Publisher: New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2005

Annotation:It is a dark time for the citizens of the Roman Empire. They live in fear of Attila the Hun, also known as the "scourge of God", who is set to conquer the entire Roman Empire, leaving destruction in his wake. The Roman leaders enlist Jonas, an ambassador allegedly sent to negotiate a peace treaty with the coming Huns, but in reality is part of an assassination plot against the Huns. The plot is discovered and the Huns take Jonas hostage. After realizing the extent of Attila's plans, Jonas realizes that he is in a position to tip the scales in either side's favour. The fate of the empire lies in his choices.

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The fall of Rome: a novel of a world lost

Author: Michael Curtis Ford
Publisher:  New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press

Annotation: After the unexpected death of Attila the Hun, his legacy was thought destroyed on the battlefield. It lives on however in Odoacer and Onulf, the sons of one of Attila's greatest generals. They flee the chaos after a rival kills their father, an unfortanate casualty in the infighting that erupted following Attila's death. They go their separate ways, with Odoacer rising up to be a military leader and conqueror to defy the might of the Roman Empire. After his people were annihilated in an invasion by the Romans years later, he flees to Italy, where he again rises in prominence and reunites with his brother in the Roman army. Together, they lead a revolt against the last emperor of Rome who has gone mad, and their father's murderer, who is now a leading figure in the Empire.

This book is inspired by true events and after extensive research concerning the end of an empire. It is a follow up to the author's The Sword of Attila, but readers won't suffer if they haven't read that one.


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Wounds of Honour

Author: Anthony Riches
Publisher: London: Hodder & Stoughton 2009

Annotation: An action-packed story with  a dramatic tone, this novel is set in the second century, in a time of revolt against the powerful and militaristic Roman Empire.It is about a Roman centurion named Marcus Valerius Aquila, who very shortly after his landing at Britannia, is forced to flee for his life rather than suffer a dishonourable death at the hands of the current emperor, Commodus, who is mad for power. After taking on a new name, becomes stationed at Hadrian's Wall, the plan was to wait in obscurity until the time came for justice, but an attack on Hadrian's Wall from the north by a rebel army forces Marcus to lead on the front lines of a brutal, violent war.

This thrilling novel is the first of the Empire trilogy.

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The Seven Wonders: A novel of the Ancient World

Author: Steven Saylor
Publisher: New York: Minotaur Books 2012.

Annotation: The Seven Wonders is a historical mystery novel that is about a young man named Gordianus, who will later be named Gordianus the Finder, the main hero of this series. In this book about his early career, he accompanies a Greek poet, Antipeter, who for unknown reason, faked his own death, therefore travelling under an assumed name. They go on a quest around the world to visit the Seven Wonders, encountering many mysteries on their journey, including murder, political intrigue amd human sacrifice. The first of these mysteries is why the poet faked his death,. To solve these mysteries, Gordianus uses his attention to detail and keen mind, and visits many places, including temples, palaces, etc.

This book is part of the Roma sub Rosa series, a series of 15 historical mystery books centered in the Roman times. The hero of these series is Gordianus the Finder, a Roman detective whose insight and supurb skill in recovering lost or stolen items and exposing murders and plots makes him invaluable to powerful people. This is chronologicaly the first book in the series, and the thirteenth book that Saylor has made, a prequel to the rest of the series.

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Gladiator

Director: Ridley Scott

Annotation: Gladiator is an epic historical film by Ridley Scott. Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) is a powerful Roman General who is much loved by the people and the favourite of the Emperor. After winning a final battle against the Germanic tribes, Maximus wants to return home to his family, but Emperor Marcus Aurelius names Maximus his heir, judging his son Commodus to be unfit to rule. When his son learns of this, he kills his own father, and the resulting power struggle leaves Maximus's family killed. While Maximus survives, he becomes enslaved and forced to be a gladiator. He can only gain his freedom... and his vengeance by fighting in the pits and later the Colosseum. Maximus must win battle after battle, not only to have his vengeance and freedom, but also to save Rome from  corruption.



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Emperor: The Gates of Rome

Author: Conn Iggulden
Publisher information: New York: Delacorte Press 2003.

Annotation: The first of Iggulden's Emperor series, The Gates of Rome allows the reader a view of Julius Caesar's early years before his rise to power. It revolves around two boys who were raised togeher and would grow up to be famous figues in Roman history: Gaius, the son of a senator and Marcus, the son of a prostitute. They trained together as students under a gladiator, but after his death, they took different paths in life. When they meet again, they become involved in a civil war that resulted from the collapse of the Roman Republic, a conflict that threatens their friendship.



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