Going to Rome for the first time this summer and looking for some books set there. I’m reasonably familiar with ancient Roman history, so I’m not looking for anything along those lines. The only book I can think of at the moment that sort of has to do with Rome is A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin (one of my all time favorites).
by HorribleOldLeopard
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The Affair by Gill Paul
I, Claudius.
Lindsey Davis- Falco series
There’s Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series.
Sarah Dunant’s Blood and Beauty!
The Agony and the Ecstasy – Irving Stone – This is one of those big muscular historical fiction epics, at base it is about Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel but explores a lot more besides that. A really good option for the Renaissance Period.
The Tigress of Forli – Elizabeth Lev – Non-Fiction that feels like fiction. Explores the life of Caterina Sforza one of the most interesting women of the Renaissance. Great for understanding how important families exploited the Papacy for wealth and power. Also why everyone hates Caesre Borgia.
Highly recommend the Cicero trilogy by Robert Harris.
It’s definitely got a history bent but it’s historical fiction and I think Rome itself is the main character.