“A man who commands thirty legions always knows best.”
Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient World is a 2023 non-fiction historical book by Mary Beard and one of the most definitive studies about ancient Rome ever written. Rather than taking readers through the usual chronological account of Roman rulers and their well-established legacies, the bestselling author of SPQR asks bigger questions about these emperors and their place in the ancient world. From the powers they possessed, and the routines they constructed to the wide array of characters they interacted with, Emperor of Rome is an illuminating read that goes directly to the heart of Roman fantasies about what it meant to be Roman. If you loved Beard’s work, join us today at What We Reading for the best historical books like Emperor of Rome!
Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors From Augustus To Constantine – Barry S. Strauss
Kicking off our list of the best books like Emperor of Rome is Barry Strauss’ Ten Caesars. This 2019 work tells the story of the Roman Empire from its rise to reinvention, using the lives of ten rulers from Augustus to Constantine to reveal how the empire was formed to how it found itself moving east to Constantinople.
Acquiring power, splendour and territory, and losing all of them by the fourth century CE, Strauss examines the ways in which the geography, ethnicity, cultures and religions were all continually upended during the lives of these emperors. Through the lens of Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimus Severus, Diocletian and Constantine, readers gain a thorough understanding of how far-reaching ancient Rome’s heritage remains even in today’s world.
Pax: War And Peace In Rome’s Golden Age (History Of Rome #3) – Tom Holland
Pax is the third entry in a trilogy of books by Tom Holland chronicling the history of the Roman Empire. In Pax, Holland provides a portrait of the ancient world’s ultimate superpower during both times of war and peace; from the gilded capital to the wild and rowdy frontiers of the empire’s furthest stretches.
Holland’s work covers some of the most iconic and infamous moments in the history of Rome including the destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii, the building of the Colosseum and Hadrian’s Wall, the conquests of Trajan and the spread of Christianity. Like Emperor of Rome, Pax is one of the best Roman books for learning more about what power at the height of the empire’s dominance looked like.
A Rome Of One’s Own: The Forgotten Women Of The Roman Empire – Emma Southon
For years, the history of Rome has been narrow and one-sided, essentially boiling down to a history of ‘The Doing of Important Things’ which, sadly, hasn’t afforded much time to the women who have contributed to that history.
Thankfully, Emma Southon’s A Rome of One’s Own is the correction we’ve been waiting for. Much like Beard in Emperor of Rome, this work aims to reshape our perceptions of the Roman Empire by shedding light on all the things previous historians have deemed as domestic, feminine or worthless. Through the stories of twenty-one extraordinary women who led armies, wrote poetry and generally caused outrage, readers are treated to a hugely entertaining and utterly captivating tour that promises to upend our understanding of the ancient world.
The Eagle And The Lion: Rome, Persia And An Unwinnable Conflict – Adrian Goldsworthy
Stretching from the north of Britain to the Sahara and from the Atlantic to the Euphrates, the Roman Empire shaped the culture of the Western world and largely imposed peace and prosperity on an unprecedented scale during its years of dominance. However, the exception lay in the East. There, the Parthian and the Persian Empires ruled over the lucrative trade routes and mysterious lands beyond.
These were the lands Alexander the Great had swept through, and his legend continued to tantalise Roman emperors who longed to follow in his footsteps. Only, all of them would fail. Like Emperor of Rome, Adrian Goldsworthy’s The Eagle and the Lion is a 2023 history book that unveils the story of the imperial rivalry between the two undisputed behemoths of the ancient world.
Check Out The Best Ancient History Books From 2023
Chronicle Of The Roman Emperors: The Reign-By-Reign Record Of The Rulers Of Imperial Rome – Christopher Scarre
For another book similar to Emperor of Rome that guides readers through the history of ancient Rome’s rulers, few resources are as invaluable as Christopher Scarre’s Chronicle of the Roman Emperors. From who was responsible for constructing the Colosseum to who was on the seat of power when the Goths sacked Rome, Sarre provides all the snappy and authoritative answers any budding ancient historian needs.
Featuring timelines and other visual aids, colourful accounts from the likes of Suetonius and Tacitus and contemporary character assessments on the back of modern research, Chronicle of the Roman Emperors gives its due to the most famous names from Roman history, and helps lesser names step out from the shadows for the first time.
Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint – Peter Sarris
Another one of the best ancient Roman books from 2023, Peter Sarris tells the story of one of the greatest rulers from the Byzantine era in his full biography, Justinian.
Charting four tumultuous decades during the sixth century CE, Sarris lifts the lid on the seismic shifts and achievements of Justinian during his reign as ruler of the Eastern Roman Emperor from his seat in Constantinople. Similarly to Emperor of Rome, this biography is an intimate exploration of the motivations, influences and roles of Roman rulers. Sarris expertly captures how Justinian’s efforts to cement his own legacy and recapture his empire’s glory days laid the foundations for the era of the Middle Ages and left an indelible mark on history.
Alexander At The End Of The World: The Forgotten Final Years Of Alexander The Great – Rachel Kousser
Switching from ancient Rome to ancient Greece, by 330 BCE, Alexander the Great had reached the pinnacle of his success. Or so it seemed. Having defeated the Persian ruler Darius III and captured the capital city of Persepolis, his battle-weary army was ready to return home. Yet, Alexander wasn’t finished yet. He was determined to continue heading east to Afghanistan and reach his ultimate goal: the end of the world. What followed was a perilous seven-year journey through the borderlands of the Persian empire. From incredible natural challenges to clandestine conspiracies, the campaign would test Alexander’s physical and mental limits, and determine his legacy in history.
In her 2024 book, Alexander at the End of the World, classicist and art history professor Rachel Kousser vividly brings to life Alexander’s tumultuous final years. Pulling together a tale of epic battles, breathtaking landscapes and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, it is a story of adventure, grit, ambition and a potent reminder of the ability to learn from failure.
Evil Roman Emperors: The Most Shocking History Of Ancient Rome’s Most Wicked Rulers From Caligula To Nero And More – Phillip Barlag
As famous as Rome’s splendour, advancements, prosperity, and military might are the weird, salacious, and often horrifying events in which its rulers engaged. Phillip Barlag’s Evil Roman Emperors puts the worst of ancient Rome’s rulers into one place and offers readers a review of their lives and the historical context that goes some way to explaining what led to them becoming what they did.
Roman history has provided endless fascination, and the heinous acts committed by those at the top is a huge reason for this. Evil Roman Emperors concludes with a countdown of the absolute worst ruler in Rome’s long history, comparing them side-by-side for the first time.
Check Out The Best History Books From 2023
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
