Together with @Paland0 and @Martynios and at the suggestion of the former I've put together a reading list of recommendations for people wanting to learn more about the world at the time of Imperator. All the books on the list we have either read or I have had recommended to me on my archaeology course reading lists by some of the top academics for the period. Some books do appear multiple times because they cover multiple areas.
Obviously this is not an exhaustive list by any means, there are about 30 works in it and they are biased towards the areas we are interested in or have studied. I've also mainly avoided older publications and journal articles.
If anyone has suggestions of other books to add, particularly for regions not covered, feel free to comment them, I'll have a look and maybe add them.
Ancient Sources:
Eastern Europe:
Gaul and Germania:
British Isles:
Rome:
Carthage and the Phoenician World:
Egypt and the Near East:
The Diadochi:
Central Asia and India:
Warfare:
General:
What to Avoid:
Obviously this is not an exhaustive list by any means, there are about 30 works in it and they are biased towards the areas we are interested in or have studied. I've also mainly avoided older publications and journal articles.
If anyone has suggestions of other books to add, particularly for regions not covered, feel free to comment them, I'll have a look and maybe add them.
Ancient Sources:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/ - this is a free online database hosted by Tufts University and contains translations of the majority of major sources.
Eastern Europe:
The Past Societies Volume 4: Polish lands from the first evidence of human presence to the early middle ages by P. Urbanczyk & A. Rzeszotarska-Nowakiewicz - Some chapters can be found online for free (see inside the spoiler)
- Unavailable
Gaul and Germania:
The Later Iron Age in Britain and Beyond by Tom Moore and Colin Haselgrove (2007)
Celts: Art and Identity by Julia Farley and Fraser Hunter (2015) – the companion book to a British Museum exhibition. Not so academic but full of beautiful celtic art.
The Celts: Origins, myths and reinventions by John Collis (2003)
The Celts: Search for a Civilisation by Alice Roberts (2015) – an up-to-date and easy to read light history of the Celts. Not as in depth as some other books on the matter.
The Ancient Celts 2nd Edition by Barry Cunliffe (2018) - Best overview of the Celts in both mine and Palando's opinion.
Beyond Celts, Germans and Scythians by P. Wells (2001)
Celts: Art and Identity by Julia Farley and Fraser Hunter (2015) – the companion book to a British Museum exhibition. Not so academic but full of beautiful celtic art.
The Celts: Origins, myths and reinventions by John Collis (2003)
The Celts: Search for a Civilisation by Alice Roberts (2015) – an up-to-date and easy to read light history of the Celts. Not as in depth as some other books on the matter.
The Ancient Celts 2nd Edition by Barry Cunliffe (2018) - Best overview of the Celts in both mine and Palando's opinion.
Beyond Celts, Germans and Scythians by P. Wells (2001)
British Isles:
Britain Begins by Barry ‘the Basher’ Cunliffe (2013) – As a rule of thumb if it is by Sir Barrington it is great.
The Later Iron Age in Britain and Beyond by Tom Moore and Colin Haselgrove (2007) – this one is on the expensive side if you are buying, but A) it is very good and one of the chapters focuses on the polities in Gaul, Britain and Ireland and B) one of the authors is my academic advisor, so I feel obliged to plug his work.
The Parisi. Britons and Romans in Eastern Yorkshire – by Peter Halkon (2013)
Celts: Art and Identity by Julia Farley and Fraser Hunter (2015) – the companion book to a British Museum exhibition. Not so academic but full of beautiful celtic art.
The Celts: Search for a Civilisation by Alice Roberts (2015) – an up-to-date and easy to read light history of the Celts. Not as in depth as some other books on the matter.
The Later Iron Age in Britain and Beyond by Tom Moore and Colin Haselgrove (2007) – this one is on the expensive side if you are buying, but A) it is very good and one of the chapters focuses on the polities in Gaul, Britain and Ireland and B) one of the authors is my academic advisor, so I feel obliged to plug his work.
The Parisi. Britons and Romans in Eastern Yorkshire – by Peter Halkon (2013)
Celts: Art and Identity by Julia Farley and Fraser Hunter (2015) – the companion book to a British Museum exhibition. Not so academic but full of beautiful celtic art.
The Celts: Search for a Civilisation by Alice Roberts (2015) – an up-to-date and easy to read light history of the Celts. Not as in depth as some other books on the matter.
Rome:
Rome: An Empires Story by Greg Woolf (2012) – this focuses of economics and society, can be a heavy read from time to time but very informative.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome by Chris Scarre (1995) – you want maps? This is the one to go for. A very good short overview of the entire Roman period, easy to read.
Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland (2003) – an excellent narrative history of the republican period. Very easy and engaging to read.
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars 1000 - 264 B.C by Kathryn Lomas (2017) – A very in-depth book on the origins of Rome before it became a major power.
S.P.Q.R: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard (2015) – an informative and engaging history of Rome
The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome by Chris Scarre (1995) – you want maps? This is the one to go for. A very good short overview of the entire Roman period, easy to read.
Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland (2003) – an excellent narrative history of the republican period. Very easy and engaging to read.
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars 1000 - 264 B.C by Kathryn Lomas (2017) – A very in-depth book on the origins of Rome before it became a major power.
S.P.Q.R: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard (2015) – an informative and engaging history of Rome
Carthage and the Phoenician World:
The Phoenicians and the West: colonies and trade by M. Audet (1993) – quite old being from, but still an informative read.
Carthage must be destroyed: The rise and fall of an ancient civilisation by R. Miles (2010) – with a name like that how could I not include it?
The Fall of Carthage: The Punic Wars 265-146 BC by Adrian Goldsworthy (2000) – a good brief history of the Punic Wars. Johan approved.
Carthage must be destroyed: The rise and fall of an ancient civilisation by R. Miles (2010) – with a name like that how could I not include it?
The Fall of Carthage: The Punic Wars 265-146 BC by Adrian Goldsworthy (2000) – a good brief history of the Punic Wars. Johan approved.
Egypt and the Near East:
Hellenistic Egypt: monarchy, society, economy, culture by Jean Bingen (2007)
Egypt in the Age of Cleopatra by Micheal Chauveau (2000)
A History of the Ptolemaic Empire by G. Holbl (2001)
From the Ptolemies to the Romans: political and economic change in Egypt by Andrew Monson (2012) – while it can be said that the Ptolemies are over-hyped sometimes, the Egyptian economy was no joke
Egypt: From Alexander to the Copts by R. Bagnall and D. Rathbone (2004)
Ptolemy I and the transformation of Egypt 404-282 BCE by Paul McKechnie and Jennifer Cromwell (2018)
Courts and Elites in the Hellenistic Empires The Near East After the Achaemenids, c. 330 to 30 BCE by Rolf Strootman (2014) - a readable and interesting look at the royal court, kingship and elites evolved and related to one another in the area of the former Persian empire
Egypt in the Age of Cleopatra by Micheal Chauveau (2000)
A History of the Ptolemaic Empire by G. Holbl (2001)
From the Ptolemies to the Romans: political and economic change in Egypt by Andrew Monson (2012) – while it can be said that the Ptolemies are over-hyped sometimes, the Egyptian economy was no joke
Egypt: From Alexander to the Copts by R. Bagnall and D. Rathbone (2004)
Ptolemy I and the transformation of Egypt 404-282 BCE by Paul McKechnie and Jennifer Cromwell (2018)
Courts and Elites in the Hellenistic Empires The Near East After the Achaemenids, c. 330 to 30 BCE by Rolf Strootman (2014) - a readable and interesting look at the royal court, kingship and elites evolved and related to one another in the area of the former Persian empire
The Diadochi:
Dividing the Spoils: The War for Alexander the Great’s Empire (2012) by Robin Waterfield – In my opinion the best overview of the Diadochi to come out in recent times. Does a very good job of presenting the event and characters in an understandable way for people new to the subject.
After Alexander: The Time of Diadochi (323-281 BC) edited by Victor Alfonso Troncoso and Edward Anson (2013) – A collection of papers on the Diadochi, their wars and their administrations. Being by multiple authors their readability is variable and some require knowledge of Greek to read their quotes. Is most interesting for looking at Iranian sources on the Diadochi and their contribution.
Alexander’s Heirs: The Age of the Successors by Edward Anson (2014) – a short narrative overview of the Diadochi period. Varys a bit in the depth of its discussion. Recommended for people who already have some knowledge of the Diadochi.
Antigonus the One-eyed and the creation of the Hellenistic State by Richard Billows (1997)
After Alexander: The Time of Diadochi (323-281 BC) edited by Victor Alfonso Troncoso and Edward Anson (2013) – A collection of papers on the Diadochi, their wars and their administrations. Being by multiple authors their readability is variable and some require knowledge of Greek to read their quotes. Is most interesting for looking at Iranian sources on the Diadochi and their contribution.
Alexander’s Heirs: The Age of the Successors by Edward Anson (2014) – a short narrative overview of the Diadochi period. Varys a bit in the depth of its discussion. Recommended for people who already have some knowledge of the Diadochi.
Antigonus the One-eyed and the creation of the Hellenistic State by Richard Billows (1997)
Central Asia and India:
History of civilizations of Central Asia, v. 2: The Development of sedentary and nomadic civilizations, 700 B.C. to A.D. 250 by Janos Harmatta, B. Puri and G. Etemadi (1994) – this provides a good and well-researched overview of a vast region. While it is fairly old the sections I’ve read hold up well. Not only can it be hard to find good overviews for much of this region, this one can be accessed ONLINE FOR FREE at UNESCO’s website https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000105703
Penguin History of Early India: From the origins to AD 1300 by Romila Thapar (2003)
Penguin History of Early India: From the origins to AD 1300 by Romila Thapar (2003)
Warfare:
The Macedonian War Machine 359-281 BC by David Karunanithy (2013) – Probably the most comprehensive work on the Macedonian army of Philip II, Alexander the Great and his successors. Can be a bit technical at times, but I doubt we will see a better work on the subject for a long time.
The Roman Army by David Breeze (2016) – a good short introduction to the Roman army.
The Complete Roman Army by Adrian Goldsworthy (2011) – a good long introduction to the Roman army. Comes with lots of colourful pictures and art.
The Roman Army: A History 753 BC – AD 476 by Patricia Southern (2016) – comprehensive but also very accessible to read, my personal favourite of the Roman Army books here.
Hellenistic and Roman Naval Warfare 336 - 31 BC by John Grainger (2011) - a concise (200 page) overview of naval warfare in the games period. Focuses more on history, politics and tactics than on the tech and logistics of the ships themselves, although there is some discussion of them.
The Roman Army by David Breeze (2016) – a good short introduction to the Roman army.
The Complete Roman Army by Adrian Goldsworthy (2011) – a good long introduction to the Roman army. Comes with lots of colourful pictures and art.
The Roman Army: A History 753 BC – AD 476 by Patricia Southern (2016) – comprehensive but also very accessible to read, my personal favourite of the Roman Army books here.
Hellenistic and Roman Naval Warfare 336 - 31 BC by John Grainger (2011) - a concise (200 page) overview of naval warfare in the games period. Focuses more on history, politics and tactics than on the tech and logistics of the ships themselves, although there is some discussion of them.
General:
Chronicles of the Ancient World by John Haywood (2012) – useful if you don’t know what happened when in antiquity. Personal opinion is that it is little more than a glorified timeline, but some people like it.
The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean by David Abulafia (2011)
The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World by Cyprian Broodbank (2013) – Finishes before the start date but covers the origins of the Mediterranean civilisations. I personally don’t like his writing style, however that doesn’t invalidate its content at all.
Europe Before History by Kristian Kristiansen (1998) – a bit dated in places having been released 20 years ago, but still a good overview of Neolithic to Roman Europe.
Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC – AD 1000 by Barry Cunliffe (2008) – same as the above, but slightly more up-to-date and by Barry Cunliffe.
The Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age by various authors (2019) – this one hasn’t actually been fully published yet, but a lot of the articles in it have been published online. Hard to get more up-to-date than this, though I can’t yet speak on how much will be relevant to Imperator.
Ancient Cities: the archaeology of urban life in the ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome by C. Gates (2003)
By Desert, Steppe and Ocean: The Birth of Eurasia by Barry Cunliffe (2015) – while it covers the time period and regions of Imperator be warned that isn’t its focus. That said it is an excellent easy to read account of the Eurasian civilisations, their interconnectivity and the factors behind the changes of history.
The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies 4th Edition by Chris Scarre (2018) – The core work for learning about the broad scope of human prehistory. It covers everything from the evolution of man onwards and the classical period only makes up a small part of the book. Really just including it for people that are interested in prehistory in general. It covers everywhere.
Confronting the Classics by Mary Beard (2013) – a book not so much about the classical world, but our modern perceptions of it. A good and thought-provoking read.
The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean by David Abulafia (2011)
The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World by Cyprian Broodbank (2013) – Finishes before the start date but covers the origins of the Mediterranean civilisations. I personally don’t like his writing style, however that doesn’t invalidate its content at all.
Europe Before History by Kristian Kristiansen (1998) – a bit dated in places having been released 20 years ago, but still a good overview of Neolithic to Roman Europe.
Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC – AD 1000 by Barry Cunliffe (2008) – same as the above, but slightly more up-to-date and by Barry Cunliffe.
The Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age by various authors (2019) – this one hasn’t actually been fully published yet, but a lot of the articles in it have been published online. Hard to get more up-to-date than this, though I can’t yet speak on how much will be relevant to Imperator.
Ancient Cities: the archaeology of urban life in the ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome by C. Gates (2003)
By Desert, Steppe and Ocean: The Birth of Eurasia by Barry Cunliffe (2015) – while it covers the time period and regions of Imperator be warned that isn’t its focus. That said it is an excellent easy to read account of the Eurasian civilisations, their interconnectivity and the factors behind the changes of history.
The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies 4th Edition by Chris Scarre (2018) – The core work for learning about the broad scope of human prehistory. It covers everything from the evolution of man onwards and the classical period only makes up a small part of the book. Really just including it for people that are interested in prehistory in general. It covers everywhere.
Confronting the Classics by Mary Beard (2013) – a book not so much about the classical world, but our modern perceptions of it. A good and thought-provoking read.
What to Avoid:
De Situ Britanniae also known as The Description of Britain – a medieval forgery purporting to show Roman Britain. Took a while for scholars to debunk so a lot of stuff got influenced by it. Be wary if you see anything referencing it.
Hans Kuhn and his writings about the Nordwestblock – while a fine enough theory when he came up with it, that was in the 1950s and 1960s. These days the academic consensus, based on the evidence uncovered since, has moved on and doesn’t consider this theory to be correct.
Anything older than about 20 to 30 years. This isn’t because old stuff is necessarily bad – indeed a lot of it is still solid academically to this day. However, the wealth of new discoveries in recent decades has changed our knowledge of the past a lot, especially in regions we don’t have many contemporary records from, and so conclusions based on what we knew 30 years ago can be quite outdated.
Hans Kuhn and his writings about the Nordwestblock – while a fine enough theory when he came up with it, that was in the 1950s and 1960s. These days the academic consensus, based on the evidence uncovered since, has moved on and doesn’t consider this theory to be correct.
Anything older than about 20 to 30 years. This isn’t because old stuff is necessarily bad – indeed a lot of it is still solid academically to this day. However, the wealth of new discoveries in recent decades has changed our knowledge of the past a lot, especially in regions we don’t have many contemporary records from, and so conclusions based on what we knew 30 years ago can be quite outdated.
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