Robert Graves's I, Claudius is a classic for a reason.
Thanks, Betsy. Yeah I definitely want to check that out but I was looking for some non-fiction too.
Jayne, you'll scare the women.
Zoe ,'Bushwhacked'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
lisah - Nov 07, 2005 8:33:55 am PST #9387 of 10002
Punishingly Intricate
Betsy HP - Nov 07, 2005 8:38:30 am PST #9388 of 10002
If I only had a brain...
- pounds head* I read "fiction" for "non-fiction".
I remember enjoying Edith Hamilton's The Roman Way, although the scholarship is probably very dated by now. (1930s)
Kathy A - Nov 07, 2005 10:01:23 am PST #9389 of 10002
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
I, Claudius was supposedly loosely based on Seutonius's The Twelve Caesars, which I have. It's quick good dish on Roman emperors, written by a near-contemporary with a love for the scandalous.
Jars - Nov 07, 2005 10:09:27 am PST #9390 of 10002
Does anybody have any recommendations for well written non-fiction about ancient Rome?
From the Gracchi to Nero by H.H. Scullard is fairly easy to read, and covers the period that the show seems to (though I've only seen the first episode so far). It's fairly long as it's a dense period of history, but it's easy enough to skim to the interesting bits.
lisah - Nov 07, 2005 10:15:29 am PST #9391 of 10002
Punishingly Intricate
It's quick good dish on Roman emperors, written by a near-contemporary with a love for the scandalous.
My brother mentioned that book last night. And then he named all of the Caesars in order. I was impressed because I only know the ones with the really bad reps.
Thanks for all the recs!
DavidS - Nov 07, 2005 10:28:06 am PST #9392 of 10002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Can anybody name 12 Caesars in order?
(Without looking it up...)
Kathy A - Nov 07, 2005 10:32:18 am PST #9393 of 10002
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
Only the Julian-Claudians: Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. Then there's a few others before Hadrian.
Nutty - Nov 07, 2005 10:34:28 am PST #9394 of 10002
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
I only know the ones who have monuments and walls named after them (which still exist, in whole or in part). Or who have Shakespeare plays, although I was gently informed, at age 12 or so, that Pompey and Pompeii are not the same thing, and that Pompey was not quite as he had been described in Julius Caesar. (Nor, for that matter, was anybody else.)
flea - Nov 07, 2005 10:38:11 am PST #9395 of 10002
information libertarian
Who can name the 5 Good Emperors?
[shameful admission for an erstwhile classical archaeologist] I never liked the Romans. I find them boring, even the raunchy craxxy ones. The Greeks are like soccer, and the Romans are like American football. [/heresy]
Megan E. - Nov 07, 2005 10:38:25 am PST #9396 of 10002
Bloody Caesar
Caesar Salad?
My Roman knowledge was exclusively gained by reading Asterix and Obelix books. There was more than one Caesar?