I have recently stumbled upon a bunch of good historical fiction set in Rome or Byzantium (McCullough's Masters of Rome series, Ennis' Byzantium, and Graves' I, Claudius and Count Belisarius, Vidal's works, Napier's Attilla series, etc.)
I am really loving reading about this period of history (I know, it is numerous periods of history actually). The only thing I find annoying is that I have little knowledge of much of it (the pre-republican Roman monarchy, the post Octavian Augustus Empire, and most of Byzantine history.)
I have tried numerous times over the years to find a (relatively) concise, readable, history of Rome and or Byzantium, but never really succeeded. I tried Gibbon many years ago, but couldn't slog through it, maybe I should try that again.
Anybody got any recommendations on good straight history of these periods? Or, for that matter, any good novels that I may be unaware of?
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History of Rome and Byzantium
History of Rome and Byzantium
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.
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Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
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Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
John Julius Norwich is good for non-fiction Byzantine history. You can either go for his Short History of Byzantium or the 3 volume set, Byzantium: The Early Centuries, Byzantium: The Apogee and Byzantium: Decline and Fall.
We had a bit of a discussion about Byzantine history somewhere here not too long ago- here it is:
http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/ ... php?t=4679
Edited to say I see you've just read Michael Ennis' novel, Byzantium. I loved this book written in the grand, romantic epic style- Harald Hardrada AND Byzantium, an irresistible combination Pity it's one of those historical novels that have become lost in the mists of time.
We had a bit of a discussion about Byzantine history somewhere here not too long ago- here it is:
http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/ ... php?t=4679
Edited to say I see you've just read Michael Ennis' novel, Byzantium. I loved this book written in the grand, romantic epic style- Harald Hardrada AND Byzantium, an irresistible combination Pity it's one of those historical novels that have become lost in the mists of time.
Last edited by annis on Wed August 3rd, 2011, 7:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
[quote=""annis""]John Julius Norwich is good for non-fiction Byzantine Edited to say I see you've just read Michael Ennis' novel, Byzantium. I loved this book written in the grand, romantic epic style- Harald Hardrada AND Byzantium, an irresistible combination Pity it's one of those historical novels that have become lost in the mists of time.[/quote]
Yeah, it is sad what publishing has become. I have pretty much read all the historical fiction I can find at bookstores, and am now plowing through my old college library's HF. It is ridiculous how many great books are virtually unavailiable. I am reading Count Belisarius by Robert Graves now, and it too is great, and it too is out of print. Can't get it on amazon or anwhere.
Hopefully, eventually, the publishers will at least get these out on kindle format or something. I am finding that the HF of the 70's and 80'a and earlier is better than what is coming out now. Like every other kind of literature, it seems that most authors of HF now are simply churning out pulp, book after book of the same thing, and not very historically deep. Either romance or military adventure lightly steeped in history.
Yeah, it is sad what publishing has become. I have pretty much read all the historical fiction I can find at bookstores, and am now plowing through my old college library's HF. It is ridiculous how many great books are virtually unavailiable. I am reading Count Belisarius by Robert Graves now, and it too is great, and it too is out of print. Can't get it on amazon or anwhere.
Hopefully, eventually, the publishers will at least get these out on kindle format or something. I am finding that the HF of the 70's and 80'a and earlier is better than what is coming out now. Like every other kind of literature, it seems that most authors of HF now are simply churning out pulp, book after book of the same thing, and not very historically deep. Either romance or military adventure lightly steeped in history.
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.
_______________________________________________
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
_______________________________________________
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
If you'd like something simple I'd recommend Chronicle of the Roman Emperors: the Reign-by Reign Record of the Rulers on Imperial Rome by Chris Scarre. Each section gives background info on what's happening at the macro level, as well as an overview of the Emperor and what happened in his reign. Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome by Lesley Adkins and Roy A. Adkins lets you browse through overviews of Republic and Empire history, Military Affairs, Geography, Towns and Countryside, Travel and Trade, Written Evidence, Religion, Economy and Industry, and Everyday Life.
For more scholarly work, I'd second the recommendation for Norwich. I'm very fond of anything written by Peter Brown on Late Antiquity and Peter Heather on the fall of Rome and barbarians.
For more scholarly work, I'd second the recommendation for Norwich. I'm very fond of anything written by Peter Brown on Late Antiquity and Peter Heather on the fall of Rome and barbarians.
Faith L. Justice, Author Website
- MLE (Emily Cotton)
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 3566
- Joined: August 2008
- Interest in HF: started in childhood with the classics, which, IMHO are HF even if they were contemporary when written.
- Favourite HF book: Prince of Foxes, by Samuel Shellabarger
- Preferred HF: Currently prefer 1600 and earlier, but I'll read anything that keeps me turning the page.
- Location: California Bay Area
I think I've mentioned this before, but the teaching company has an excellent audio series titled Byzantium.
- Shield-of-Dardania
- Reader
- Posts: 129
- Joined: February 2010
[quote=""MLE""]I think I've mentioned this before, but the teaching company has an excellent audio series titled Byzantium.[/quote]
That and the Rome one look great. Too bad they are $200+
That and the Rome one look great. Too bad they are $200+
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.
_______________________________________________
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
_______________________________________________
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
[quote=""annis""]
Edited to say I see you've just read Michael Ennis' novel, Byzantium. I loved this book written in the grand, romantic epic style- Harald Hardrada AND Byzantium, an irresistible combination Pity it's one of those historical novels that have become lost in the mists of time.[/quote]
Yeah, I couldn't find a copy anywhere, but then my college library had it randomly. I've thought about asking the librarian if I could buy it from them. I'll definitely want to read that one again.
Edited to say I see you've just read Michael Ennis' novel, Byzantium. I loved this book written in the grand, romantic epic style- Harald Hardrada AND Byzantium, an irresistible combination Pity it's one of those historical novels that have become lost in the mists of time.[/quote]
Yeah, I couldn't find a copy anywhere, but then my college library had it randomly. I've thought about asking the librarian if I could buy it from them. I'll definitely want to read that one again.
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.
_______________________________________________
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
_______________________________________________
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
- MLE (Emily Cotton)
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 3566
- Joined: August 2008
- Interest in HF: started in childhood with the classics, which, IMHO are HF even if they were contemporary when written.
- Favourite HF book: Prince of Foxes, by Samuel Shellabarger
- Preferred HF: Currently prefer 1600 and earlier, but I'll read anything that keeps me turning the page.
- Location: California Bay Area
[quote=""The Czar""]That and the Rome one look great. Too bad they are $200+[/quote]
Sorry I didn't catch this post before, but you don't have to take those prices seriously. The Teaching Company has so many sales on their courses (70% off is the usual) and they hit my email box so often (2+ times per week) that I never pay attention to any of their posted prices. I usually bite at around $60 for a 36-lecture course, and $45 for a 24-lecture course. I've gotten several for under $20-- like a recent 'sale' on a 12-lecture course on Machiavelli.
The professors vary in speaking skill--be sure to read the ratings before you buy, even if the course is on sale.
Sorry I didn't catch this post before, but you don't have to take those prices seriously. The Teaching Company has so many sales on their courses (70% off is the usual) and they hit my email box so often (2+ times per week) that I never pay attention to any of their posted prices. I usually bite at around $60 for a 36-lecture course, and $45 for a 24-lecture course. I've gotten several for under $20-- like a recent 'sale' on a 12-lecture course on Machiavelli.
The professors vary in speaking skill--be sure to read the ratings before you buy, even if the course is on sale.