“Serious history, however, is about more than the bare facts.”
From Athens to Augustus, the ancient world continues to be one of the most popular parts of history for readers like us. The societies and people from this era may be gone, but their imprint on our contemporary politics, technology, and culture can still be felt. Books about ancient history do an excellent job of exploring and explaining the significance of the ancient world. In recent years, authors have attempted to shed light on previously neglected perspectives, giving us readers a more comprehensive and inclusive view. Join us today at What We Reading as we present the best ancient history books from 2023!
Life And Afterlife In Ancient China – Jessica Rawson
Kicking off our list of the best 2023 ancient history books is Jessica Rawson’s Life and Afterlife in Ancient China, a stunning sweep through the three millennia of Chinese history leading to the establishment of the first imperial Qin dynasty.
The book is told through the exploration of twelve grand tombs, each of them revealing the fascinating political, dynastic, and cultural landscapes of the empire. Through this lens, readers can begin tracing a path from China’s ancient history to its present-day status, with Rawson lifting the lid on everything from the strict hierarchy of family to concepts of the universe. Beautifully illustrated and armed with the latest archaeological discoveries, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China is an awe-inspiring new perspective on one of the oldest civilisations in the world.
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Emperor Of Rome: Ruling The Ancient World – Mary Beard
Through her internationally bestselling SPQR, Mary Beard established herself as one of the most lively and captivating historians, and she continues to inform and entertain readers in her 2023 history book on ancient Rome, Emperor of Rome.
In this authoritative account of the colourful personalities spanning over a thousand years of history, chronicling those who wielded power in the ancient world’s most powerful civilization, Beard presents a compelling new way of viewing these rulers. From the mad Caligula, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius to the monster Nero, she takes readers through what it was really like to be an Emperor of Rome. Whether at home with wives and jesters, on travels around the empire, or on the way to the afterlife, Emperor of Rome catches readers’ fantasies of Roman history for an entirely new look at its leaders and figureheads.
Alexandria – Islam Issa
Fuelled by his ambitions for empire and the fabled tales of Homer, Alexandria was designed by Alexander the Great to be the greatest city in the world. He never lived to see it built, but this city quickly became one of the most significant cultural settlements in the world.
In his ancient history book from 2023, Alexandria, Islam Issa offers readers one of the most comprehensive biographies of the city. A melting pot of the greatest civilisations, Alexandria and its citizens shaped modern philosophy, science, and religion through their innovations and learning. With charismatic characters ranging from Napoleon to Cleopatra, Alexandria chronicles this extraordinary city’s dizzying heights and its contemporary strifes, the brutal tragedies and battles, and how its distinctive spirit continues to endure to this day.
Divine Might: Goddesses In Greek Myth – Natalie Haynes
From Hera to Hestia, Artemis to Aphrodite, New York Times bestselling author Natalie Haynes whisks readers into the heart of ancient Greek mythology in her 2023 book, Divine Might.
Aiming to reshape our understanding of Greek myths, Divine Might is a comprehensive walkthrough of Mount Olympus and the Furies with the emphasis firmly placed on the goddesses whose passions, prowess, jealousies, and desires proved to be more than a match for their male counterparts. Infused with Haynes’ irrepressible wit and charm, this female-led series of retellings offers a refreshing new take on some of the age-old tales every reader thought they knew.
300,000 Kisses: Tales Of Queer Love From The Ancient World – Sean Hewitt
300,000 Kisses is a 2023 collaboration between Laurel Prize-winning poet Sean Hewitt and renowned designer Luke Edward Hall. With contemporary translations by the former and vibrant illustrations by the latter, the book curates some of the most beautiful and moving and neglected love stories from Ancient Greece and Rome, specifically focusing on queer characters and narratives.
300,000 Kisses aims to shed light on the rich literary history of Greek and Roman love, exploring tender dialogues, philosophical musings, raunchy poems, and graffiti salvaged from the ruins of Pompeii, and to investigate why so much of it has remained hidden. A beautiful series of stories and a fascinating walk through history, Hewitt and Edward Hall’s work is heartfelt, nourishing, crude, tender, and a reminder that love has always come in a myriad of forms.
Pax: War And Peace In Rome’s Golden Age (History Of Rome #3) – Tom Holland
British historian Tom Holland delivers the third entry in his History of Rome trilogy in his 2023 book, Pax. Mapping the entire history of the Roman Empire, Pax marks the period of the Pax Romana, the era of total dominance by the greatest superpower the ancient world has ever known.
From the gilded capital to the barbarous realms beyond its frontier, Holland unveils what life was like during peace and war. From peasants to emperors, Pax covers some of the most iconic events in the history of Rome. With the empire at its height, readers are walked through the building of the Colosseum and Hadrian’s Wall, the destruction of Jerusalem, the eruption of Vesuvius, the conquests of Trajan, and the spread of Christianity all in one compelling read.
Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint – Peter Sarris
Another one of the best ancient Roman books from 2023 comes from Peter Sarris in his definitive biography of the Byzantine emperor, Justinian.
Chronicling four decades during the sixth century CE, Sarris lifts the lid on the seismic shifts and achievements of Justinian during his reign as emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople. Justinian demonstrates how the emperor’s efforts at self-glorification and to recapture Rome’s past greatness laid the foundation for the world of the Middle Ages, leaving a fascinating imprint on history that still captivates many.
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A History Of The Roman Empire In 21 Women – Emma Southon
For anyone looking for an alternative perspective on the history of the Roman Empire, Emma Southon has you covered with her 2023 ancient history book, A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women.
From vestal virgins to martyrs and saints, this breezy and entertaining book takes readers on a sweeping tour through the history of Rome through the eyes of various women at the centre of the action. Each of the stories told throughout the book gives a different perspective on the lives of women of the day, and how they changed over class divides, and over time. Delivered with Southon’s cheerily opinionated tone and careful research to back up her findings, it is one of the most compelling works on how women shaped the empire.
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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).
