What is the best, most comprehensive history of Ancient Rome?
I love ancient history, and I felt like it was time to suck it up and tackle Gibbon’s Fall of the Roman Empire. However, I want a more general, broad history first that covers the rise, at least to where Gibbon picks up the story. I’m talking about the founding of the city, through the Republic, at least until after Augustus, if not later. I wouldn’t even mind a wholly encompassing one that ends at the fall of the west or to Justinian I or something. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer a modern historian so I can get a framework and then read primary sources and older histories (like Gibbon). Please do not suggest an “Idiot’s Guide” or “…For Dummies” type thing. Looking for something more serious. A: Try: “A History of Rome” by Marcel Le Glay, Jean-Louis Voisin, and Yann Le Bohec Also good: “The Historians of Ancient Rome: An Anthology of Ancient Writings” edited by Ronald Mellor I am a personal fan of Titus Livy and just finished, “War with Hannibal” (also one of my fav
