Digital Maps of the Ancient World

General Roman Empire

Embark on a journey through the vast and complex tapestry of the Roman Empire with our curated reading list, designed to offer a comprehensive overview of its history, society, and legacy.

(c) Tataryn

Delve into the rise and fall of one of the most influential civilizations in human history, from its humble beginnings as a small city-state to its zenith as a sprawling empire that encompassed much of the known world. Explore the political intrigues of the Roman Republic, the imperial ambitions of Julius Caesar and Augustus, and the administrative reforms of Diocletian and Constantine. Gain insight into the daily lives of Romans, from the bustling streets of Rome to the far-flung provinces, and discover the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape our modern world. Whether you’re interested in military conquests, political machinations, or the everyday experiences of ordinary citizens, our reading list offers a diverse selection of scholarship to satisfy every curiosity about the remarkable saga of the Roman Empire.

General

  • Beard, M., SPQR: A history of ancient Rome, Cambridge, 2015.
  • Garnsey, P., Rathbone, D. & Bowman, A.K. (ed.), The Cambridge ancient history: Vol. 11: The High Empire, A.D. 70-192, Cambridge, 2000.
  • Potter, D.S., A companion to the Roman Empire, Malden, 2006.
  • Wells, C.M., The Roman Empire, Cambridge, 1995.
  • Woolf, G., Rome: an empire’s story, Oxford, 2012.

Further Reading

  • Ando, C., Imperial Rome AD 193 to 284: the critical century, Edinburgh, 2012.
  • Bowman, A.K., Champlin, E. & Lintott, A., The Cambridge ancient history: Vol.10: The Augustan Empire, 43 B.C.-A.D. 69, Cambridge, 1996.
  • Bowman, A.K., Garnsey, P. & Cameron, E., The Cambridge ancient history: Vol. 12: The crisis of empire, A.D. 193-337, Cambridge, 2005.
  • Cornell, T. & Matthews, J., Atlas of the Roman world, Oxford, 1982.
  • Garnsey, P., Saller, R.P., Elsner, J. & Hirt, M., The Roman empire: economy, society and culture, London, 2014.
  • Garnsey, P. & Saller, R.P, The Roman empire: economy, society and culture, London, 2014.
  • Goodman, M. & Sherwood, J., The Roman World, 44 BC-AD 180, London, 1997.
  • Harris, W.V., Roman power: a thousand years of empire, New York, 2016.
  • Le Glay, M., Voisin, J.L. & Le Bohec, J., A history of Rome, Chichester, 2009.
  • Levick, B., The government of the Roman Empire: a sourcebook, London, 2000.
  • Potter, D.S., The Roman Empire at bay: AD 180-395, London, 2004.
  • Talbert, R.J.A., Atlas of classical history, London, 1985.
  • Talbert, R.J.A., Barrington atlas of the Greek and Roman world: map-by-map directory, Princeton, 2000.
  • Wacher, J., The Roman world, London, 1987.