Roman Empire Fiction
Explore the best Roman Empire fiction books with our curated list of gripping historical novels. Dive into epic tales of gladiators, emperors, and ancient Rome's grandeur. Perfect for history buffs and fiction lovers alike!
Book
A Body in the Bathhouse
by Lindsey Davis
Ancient Roman investigator Marcus Didius Falco finds trouble on the site of a new palace being built by the king of the Atrebtes tribe in distant Britain. 20,000 first printing.
Book
SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion
by John Maddox Roberts
Julius Caesar, as we know, arrived in Gaul (now France) and announced "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered," but when Decius Metellus arrives from Rome, not seeking military glory but rather avoiding an enemy currently in power, he finds that although the general came and saw, so far, at least, he has far from conquered. The campaign seems at a standstill. Decius's arrival disappoints the great Caesar as well. He has been waiting for promised reinforcements from Rome, an influx of soldiers to restart his invasion. Instead he is presented with one young man ridiculously decked out in military parade finery and short on military skills, accompanied not by eager troops but by one callow and reluctant slave, the feckless Hermes. It soon develops, however, that Decius's arrival was fortuitous. When Vinius, the army's cruelest centurion (so-called because he commands a hundred soldiers), is found murdered, Caesar remembers that his new recruit has successfully come up with the culprit in a number of recent crimes. Murder is bad for morale, particularly since it seems quite clear that the murderer was one of Caesar's men. Caesar orders Decius to find the killer -- and quickly. Although evidence points to the son of one of Decius's clients -- a youth who was the particular target of the centurion's brutality, Decius racks his brain to find a way to save him from the sentence of death. The investigation leads Decius to two German slaves of the dead man -- a dwarfish old man and a beautiful woman. They are puzzling; the man is arrogant, the woman haughty--very unlike slaves. There are unanswered questions. It soon becomes clear to Decius that only by finding and punishing the real murderer will it be possible to quiet the rising dissatisfaction with Caesar's unorthodox method of warfare and forestall a mutiny against the mighty Caesar's authority and aims.
Book
Asterix And The Actress
by René Goscinny
Asterix and Obelix are celebrating their joint birthday party back in the Gaulish village - and some surprise guests have been invited! Meanwhile, Julius Caesar has to deal with his old enemy Pompey, who is looking for supporters among the legions stationed in Gaul. And just what what part do two old friends play in the story - Tremensdelirius, from ASTERIX AND CAESAR'S GIFT, and the lovely Panacea, first encountered in ASTERINX AND THE LEGIONARY? After many exciting adventures, all is finally revealed...
Book
Household Gods
by Judith Tarr
Two of today's masters of historical fantasy team up to tell the compelling story of a modern woman transported to the second-century Roman frontier. Delighted at first about escaping her old life to become an innkeeper, Nicole comes to realize that complexity and hardship transcend the bounds of time.
Book
A Roman Ransom
by Rosemary Rowe
When magistrate Marcus Septimus's beloved wife and child are kidnapped, he turns to Libertus for help. Unless Marcus uses his power to release a certain political prisoner, he will never see his family alive again. Libertus is well aware of Marcus's dilemma: give in and sacrifice his reputation for standing firm against bribery, or refuse and provoke unimaginable consequences. But Libertus has also made a powerful enemy. How can he help his patron - and himself - this time?
Book
Old Bones
by David Wishart
Laddish Marcus Corvinus is spending his time in ancient Tuscany, sampling wine and ogling local talent (under the beady eye of his lovely wife Perilla) when his stepfather is accused of murder. It doesn't take long for Marcus to get him off the hook, but finding the true culprit is rather trickier. As he pursues his investigation, Marcus uncovers a major wine-making fraud as well as a sorry tale of infidelity, treachery, deceit and betrayal. And when he uncovers the real murderer, the reason for the crime turns out to have its roots in myth and history.
Book
The Eagle's Prey
by Simon Scarrow
It is late summer 44 AD and the battle-weary Roman legions are in their second year of campaigning against the British tribes. The troops' commander, General Plautius, is under considerable pressure from the emperor to crush the natives once and for all. Centurions Macro and Cato are with the crack Second Legion under the precarious leadership of Centurion Maximus and it's their task to hold a ford across the river Tamesis when the natives are forced into a trap. But Maximus's nerve breaks at the critical point, allowing the enemy leader, Caratacus, and his men to escape. Outraged by this failure, General Plautius orders the decimation of the unit. Their choice: die, or escape to become a fugitive pursued by soldiers of their own ruthless army. Hiding from their former comrades, as well as the Britons, Cato's small band of fugitives have only one chance to redeem themselves before they are hunted down like animals...