I'm intersted in starting a self-study of the Roman Empire and don't
know where to start.  Can one of the GRA's give me a reading list that
will allow me to obtain a fundamental grasp, without being simplistic,
but not too academic, so I might have difficulty staying with my plan
to learn more.

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Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 18 Mar 2005 18:53 PST

Hi!

When you say reading list, do you require online sources or books?

Thanks!

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Clarification of Question by purrsian-ga on 19 Mar 2005 07:36 PST

Actually, I prefer books, since they are portable.  But I do have a
wireless, handheld PC, and if on-line sources are valuable, then,
definitely, it would also be a good option.  Thanks.

Dear Purrsian, 

There are many great books about the Roman Empire, and here's only a
partial list. Please note, that I haven't included Gibbon's classic
"The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", because I
wouldn't consider it an easy reading. However, this is in fact a
classic and you should consider reading it.
(See more: 
Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman
Empire. An article about it at Wikipedia:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_of_the_Decline_and_Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire>
Download it for free at: 
<http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/g#a375>).  

Several books that could be recommended are: 

Lesley Adkins and Roy A. Adkins, _Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome_
Oxford University Press, 1998 - good on social history, but you'll
need a companion for the chronological history.

Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel J. Gargola and Richard J. A. Talbert , _The
Romans: From Village to Empire_ (NY/Oxford: Oxford University Press,
2004) - very comprehensive introduction. I only "warn" you that I've
leafed through this book ar a book store (I don't have it at home, I
considered buying it myself), and it is also a bit dry. I mean, it is
not "The Roman Empire for Dummies". If you're looking for something
much much lighter, check out Nelson's book.

Donald R. Dudley, The Civilization of Rome, Meridian Books. - another good book. 

Michael Grant, _History of Rome_ Prentice Hall, 1978 - a good
introduction to the subject.

Eric Nelson, _The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Roman Empire_ (Alpha
Books, 2001) - well, the title describes it well, does it?

Chris Scarre, _Chronicle of the Roman Emperors: The Reign-By-Reign
Record of the Rulers of Imperial Rome_ (Thames & Hudson, 1995) -
biographies and chronicle.

Jo-Ann Shelton, _As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social
History_ (Oxford University Press, 1997) - very good on social
history. Rich in life and details.

C.M. Wells _The Roman Empire_, (Harvard University Press), 1995
(second edition) - also highly recommended, comprehensive book.

I hope this answered your question. If you also need any
clarifications on this answer, please ask before you rate it. I also
recommend the following:
PBS - The Roman Empire 
<http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/> - film and web site dedicated to
it. You can buy the film on the site.

Roman Empire .net 
<http://www.roman-empire.net/> - a site dedicated to an illustrated
history of the Roman Empire.

United Nations of Roma Victor 
<http://www.unrv.com/> 

BBC: The Romans
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/>

Thanks, PG.  This will get me off to a great start. And, I have to
admit that I was amazed anything could be free - not to mention a
massive text like Edward Gibbons'.  Just where to start?  :o)) 
(Probably the PBS web site.)  Thanks, again.

Dear Purrsian, 

Thank you for the rating and the tip!