It’s AD14. When Dokimos the vegetable seller is found bludgeoned to death in the Black Sea town of Tomis, it’s the most exciting thing to have happened in the region for years. Now reluctantly settled into life in exile, the disgraced Roman poet Ovid helps his friend Avitius to investigate the crime, with the evidence […]
Legionary by Griff Hosker
When poverty strikes, an ageing farmer is forced to make a heartbreaking choice: relinquish his oldest son in the hope of appeasing the gods or see his family face certain starvation. And so it follows that young Lucius Ulpia Porcianus is sacrificed to Rome. Embarking on his new life, Lucius travels to Ancona to enlist […]
Christmas reading 2024 – top historical books to give or to treat yourself to
We asked eight much-loved authors to each recommend a couple of historical books for Christmas 2024 to give, receive, or treat yourself to — fiction and non-fiction. There are ideas for history-loving children and teens as well. We hope these suggestions help to inspire your Christmas reading. Sharon Bennett Connolly For fiction, it has to […]
The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson
Aeneas, the son of Venus, is destined for greatness, prophesied to father a people who will one day rule the world. But behind every great man are the women the prophecies forget. Creusa, Dido and Lavinia will never meet, yet they are united by the ambitions of one man whose life is pre-ordained to collide […]
Review: Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World by Mary Beard
The historian Michael Arnheim reviews Mary Beard’s Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World, which has just been published as a paperback. “What was it really like to rule and be ruled in the Ancient Roman world?” That is how Professor Mary Beard describes her book. In fact, it is a not particularly subtle […]
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
A courtesan in Rome. Playing for power. Haunted by her past. Her name is Amara. How will her fortunes fall? Amara’s journey has taken her far, from a lowly slave in Pompeii’s brothel to a high-powered courtesan in Rome. Yet she is still drawn back to her past. For while Amara is caught up in […]
Birds of Prey by Damion Hunter
It has been 12 years since Faustus Valerianus first arrived in Britain, a centurion in the conquering Roman army. Many battles have been won, many allegiances gained. But those victories hide a more complex truth. In West Britain, the powerful Silures led by King Loarn plot their rebellion, fighting back against the now diminished strength […]
Sword of the War God by Tim Hodkinson
In AD436, the Burgundars are confident of destroying Rome’s legions, for the Empire is weak. Their forces are strong and they have beaten the Romans in battle before. But they are annihilated, their king killed, his people scattered. Their fabled treasure is lost. For Rome has new allies: the Huns, whose taste for bloodshed knows […]