Hacker News Reader

Comment by nemo1618 | Hacker News Reader

Reading this made me realize how little Roman history I know. What's the best source for learning about the major people and events of that era?

EDIT: I guess what I'm really looking for is a hierarchy of topics, starting extremely broad (e.g. Roman Republic vs. Roman Empire) and drilling down into individual people and events. In other words, I want to do a breadth-first traversal, rather than depth-first.

View on HN

Not best (writer is biased, and mapping from place names to actual geography is ‘left as an exercise’), but “Commentarii de bello Gallico” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commentarii_de_Bello_Gallico) is a first-hand account. You can also freely download it from Project Gutenberg, as even the English translation is out of copyright (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10657)

That's an awesome book. One must remember that it was written by Caesar as a political tool - hence, it's more of a boastful biography rather than an objective non-fiction book. Never the less, the book is great anyhow.

Another comment mentioned it, but I like the Historia Civilis YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_vLHiWVBh_FR9vbeuiY-A

After watching a video, you can then research further but generally I've found his videos have sufficient detail and are accurate.

The history of Rome podcast by Mike Duncan is a great place to start.

I would second this route. Amazing and well researched podcast. Well worth it if you have the time

Highly recommend this as well. His audiobook for the Storm before the Storm is also very good for the Republican period between the Gracchi and Marius/Sulla.

I dunno about best, but History of Rome podcast is excellent if you like podcasts as a format. Covers 750bc up to 450ad.

The coverage of punic wars, late republic, early empire, crisis of the third century are my favorite arcs.

Hardcore History covers some important bits of the Roman Republic, including Caesar's conquest of Gaul, that episode is currently free too - https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-60-the-celtic-hol...

Punic Nightmares and Death Throes of the Republic cover other important bits of the Roman Republic, they're both incredibly good, but they aren't free anymore.

Great books to start:

- Rubicon by Tom Holland - SPQR by Mary Beard - Dynasty by Tom Holland - Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy (more of a bio on Julius C, a bit drier than the above, has section on Alesia)

Thank you for the recommendation of Rubicon. I enjoyed reading through this thread so I thought I'd take you up on your recommendation. It was this first history book I've read in probably a decade, so I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it but I absolutely loved it.

The Masters of Rome novels by Colleen McCullough are historically accurate, incredibly dramatic, gripping and realistic. They tell the story of Rome from the birth of Caesar in the Republic to the ascension of his successor Augustus in the Empire.

I, Claudius by Robert Graves is fascinating and very readable. One of the greatest examples of historical fiction. All of the major events of the book are historically accurate, and Graves just brings them to life with dialog and his knowledge of daily life in Rome. The sequel Claudius the God, is good, but honestly covers a less interesting period in Roman history.

I strongly second this recommendation! These books are incredibly detailed and fun to read.

Another comment mentioned I, Claudius, which is also excellent.

Historically accurate-ish; she’s clear in her author’s notes that she created some characters to fill gaps. Would second the recommendation, though. The major events are generally real enough, and it’s a compelling way to read about it.

I recommend the TV series "I Claudius". Of course, you can read it as books as well, but I enjoyed the series. The books I have not read. Of course, it only covers a limited period of Roman history, but one that is quite famous.

If you're into videos, check out the YT channel Invicta: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwO-UgquohXwoe7f0e6lMnw

Start here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPf27gAup9U

I enjoyed the Great Courses Rise of Rome course (which can be listened to audio-only). Covers the founding of Rome up until the first Roman emperor.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com