Suggested non-fiction ( and fiction ) reading for Cthulhu Invictus Games

[christian]

I've read the thread about books for Roman Britain, but what I'm interested in is reading books that will help me get a better knowledge and feel for Rome in... Roman times
I have a sketchy memory of my history classes, and I guess the most recent knowledge I have of these times is the ROME Hbo series.
I would like to ask Oscar Rios, and all others, what books seem the most able to give one a good feel for the period, for moral values, rules of conduct, social classes etc...
I enjoy audiobooks, which I listen to in the car, and was wondering what the abridged version of "Rubicon" was worth. Thanks for your help
Any NEGATIVE tips, too, will be useful.
If there are glaring idiocies or errors in popular works like the Spartacus series, or Gladiator, or whatever, heraing about them will cleanse my mind ( quite a feat, granted...)

[Hagen]

Well, if you like listening to audio concerning Rome, I'd suggest the History of Rome podcast. It's fun and very informative at the same time.

[Gol-Goroth]

I listed the all the books I used for research in The Legacy of Arrius Lurco, and gave a thank you to Duncan, creator of the History of Rome podcast.

[WiseWolf]

I listed the all the books I used for research in The Legacy of Arrius Lurco, and gave a thank you to Duncan, creator of the History of Rome podcast.

I just received two of the books that Osk recommended there. Also, I got the BRP Rome, but I think you already have that one, right?

[SquibblyDibbly]

My own personal favourite for the city itself is the "Travellers Guide To The Ancient World : Rome" by Ray Laurence. Its based in the year 300BC, so its set a bit later than most games but it is designed in a travel guide style so there is information about where to stay, what to see and what entertainments there are. Its very good practical knowledge for GMing the city, if you make sure to omit anything built after your campaign is set.

Another good reference book is "Legionary : The Roman Soldier's Manual" by Philip Matyszak. If you are planning a legionary based game this has all the practical information you will need to know from how to join up, what training to expect, what the equipment and armour feels like and what tactics are used. Its all essential stuff for describing details of life as a legionary to your PC's.

As for fiction books I would highly reccomend the Eagle series by Simon Scarrow. These books are easy to read and full of historical detail ( the author was a historian before he became a writer ). From the first book "Under the Eagle" the story details the invasion of Britain from a soldiers point of view, so if thats where your game is set you can't go far wrong.

[neorxnawang]

Everyday life, broad overview, Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome by Lesley Adkins:

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Life-.../dp/0195123328

Weird stuff/plot ideas: Mystery Cults of the Ancient World by Hugh Bowden

http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Cults-...5757937&sr=1-1

Best weird stuff book for Rome focus and in depth coverage, but very scholarly and turgid, Cults of the Roman Empire by Robert Turcan:

http://www.amazon.com/Cults-Roman-Em.../dp/0631200479

[Aurelius]

I enjoy audiobooks, which I listen to in the car, and was wondering what the abridged version of "Rubicon" was worth. Thanks for your help

Assuming that's the Tom Holland one, excellent book - it's a shame the audio is only around in 'abridged' format, but it's well worth reading/listening to.

Most of the 'history' available in audio is fairly dry, or rather too 'top level political' to help much in the detail of running a RPG session, have a browse through what The Teaching Company (TTC) - who now seem to be called 'The Great Courses' and The Modern Scholars (TMS) have available, they tend not to be cheap but there are a couple in there that might be of interest - the TTC 'History of Ancient Rome' has a few lectures that would be particularly handy filling in some of the social detail.

For fiction, which is much more available in audio formats, Colleen McCullough's 'Masters of Rome' series is reasonably good and mostly pretty accurate - I'd not claim it's a guaranteed guide to the society and culture but it's a pretty good 'feel' for the place. The fairly recent trend for Roman-era 'detective stories' produced some interesting audio too, although if you're after proper 'historical' accuracy they need taking with a large pinch of salt. Try the Steven Saylor and Lindsay Davies books, I found them the most reasonable reflections of the setting.

And much as I love the Robert Graves 'Claudius' books, and the BBC TV dramatisation of them, they are heavily drawn from one particular source, a strongly opinionated and scurrilous version of the history of the Imperial family, and should be taken with a fair degree of caution as historically 'accurate' - but still superb fiction and well worth reading.

Edit : And of course I forgot something important - Mary Beard's "Pompeii : The Life of a Roman Town" is a really good book about how a Roman town actually functioned, and is also around as an audiobook too.

[Tuoni]

one of my recent favourites. "Popular culture in Ancient Rome" by Jerry Toner
http://historytodaybooks.blogspot.co...ulture-in.html
its worth getting just for the chapter on mental health in ancient rome, including mental illnesses, stress and insanity )