SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard (2015; ISBN 978-1846683800) Entry-Level- An eminently readable and entertaining, thorough and reliable general history of the Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. Mary Beard is one of the few well-known popular historians who also has impeccable academic credentials, and it shows. This book not only provides…

Tacitus Primary Source: Probably the greatest writer of history in the Latin language. The Annals and Histories cover the period from the death of Augustus (AD 14) to the Batavian Revolt (AD 70), although neither have survived intact. He also wrote a biography of his father-in-law Agricola, detailing his campaigns in Britain, and the Germania,…

Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World: A Companion to the Roman Army Edited by Paul Erdkamp (2010;978-1444339215) Another excellent reference work in the same series as the abovementioned Companion to the Roman Republic, this time with a more narrow focus on the Roman military system. The book covers the entire period of the Ancient Roman…

Conquerors and Slaves by Keith Hopkins (1978; 9780521281812) Advanced Social Economic. Only the first two chapters or so are relevant here, but they are absolutely essential for understanding the economy of the Late Republic. Hopkins examines the impact of Roman conquest on the economy of Italy, especially the massive influx of enslaved people onto the…