Best Roman historical fiction: Which books should I read?

One great French historical fiction is 'The Three Musketeers' by Alexandre Dumas. It vividly depicts the adventures of d'Artagnan and his friends in 17th - century France. It's full of action, intrigue, and memorable characters.

One of the best is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It offers a vivid portrayal of the Roman imperial family. The characters are well - developed and the story gives great insights into the political intrigue and power struggles of the time.

For beginners, 'The Thieves of Ostia' by Caroline Lawrence is a great choice. It's a children's book but it gives a really accessible introduction to Roman life. It has engaging characters and simple yet interesting plots that can introduce readers to the basic elements of Roman society like the baths, the forum, etc.

The Legio III Gallica is another interesting one. In fictional works, they can be shown as being part of important military campaigns in the Roman east. They had a long history and were involved in many battles, which makes them a great subject for historical fiction writers to explore their stories, such as their role in the Roman expansion in the eastern regions.

You could begin with 'Foundation'. It's a series that has had a huge impact on the genre. The way it builds a galactic civilization with a historical arc is really fascinating. It shows how different societies develop over time and how history can repeat itself on a grand scale. Plus, the ideas in it are thought - provoking and will make you want to explore more historical sci - fi.

In the realm of pirate historical fiction, 'The Republic of Thieves' by Scott Lynch has some pirate - like elements in its world - building. However, if you want pure pirate stories, 'The Pirate Hunter' by Richard Zacks is excellent. It follows the real - life adventures of a man who hunted pirates. Also, 'The Black Corsair' by Emilio Salgari is a great choice. It features a dashing and heroic pirate figure and is filled with exciting sea battles.

Simon Scarrow's 'Under the Eagle' series is also highly recommended. These novels are full of action - battles, political intrigue, and the daily lives of the Roman soldiers. The author does a great job of bringing the Roman legions to life with his detailed descriptions.

You could try 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's a captivating story set in medieval England with rich characters and an engaging plot.

One great Indian historical fiction book is 'The Palace of Illusions' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It retells the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective, giving a fresh and female - centered view of the well - known epic.

Another is 'Outlander'. This series combines historical events with a time - traveling love story. It's set in Scotland and has a great deal of historical accuracy in terms of the settings, the battles, and the social norms of the time. You get to see how the characters interact with the historical context, which is really engaging.