Ancient Rome for dummies

Reznik

...'kay, maybe not for dummies, but I've been watching Rome and I want to learn more about the actual history behind everything. Like, really everything, from the beginning to the end. Books, movies, shows, documentaries, anything. Point me in the direction of good stuff.

Terrendos

The absolute best way to learn would be to take a class or two on the subject. That said, as a Latinophile myself I can certainly recommend some books on the subject.

Both Livy's Early History of Rome and Vergil's Aeneid are excellent literature, both from Romans themselves, so you can get an idea about the world as it was seen by Romans. They were both written during the reign of Augustus (the Aeneid was actually commissioned by the emperor) so they'll definitely be relevant. I have also heard good things about Peter Heather's The Fall of the Roman Empire if you're interested in that side of it.

But again, the best way to learn would be to take a class on the subject, maybe at a local community college.

Lord Palington

If you've got any sort of commute anywhere, check out both The History of Rome podcast and the multipart "Fall of the Republic" in Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast. Both are pretty solid - History of Rome goes from the founding of the city to (I presume) the end of the empire - haven't finished it yet.

Hardcore History focuses only on the Republic era of Rome, from the time of the kings until the fall of Caesar.

TychoCelchuuu

This history of Rome podcast is pretty much perfect.

V1m

Reznik wrote: »

...'kay, maybe not for dummies, but I've been watching Rome and I want to learn more about the actual history behind everything. Like, really everything, from the beginning to the end. Books, movies, shows, documentaries, anything. Point me in the direction of good stuff.

Gibbon.

Elin

If you happen to have Amazon Prime, there's a documentary series called Empires for free streaming. The first season is Rome in the First Century.

JWashke

Rubicon by Tom Holland is a pretty excellent book about the period covered by the TV series, Caesar and the phasing of the republic into the empire. Might be a nice starting point since its certainly a much easier read then Gibbon.

Reznik

I'm really enjoying the history of Rome podcast so far. Hoping to get out after the holidays and pick up some of these books. Thanks for the recs, everyone.