Not fantasy related at all, but I'm curious. What Roman/Early Church books have you read? There's a lot, and I get them all mixed up in my head eventually. Most of my knowledge of the end of the roman empire is from reading books set in that time.
The Robe
This one has some theological issues I can't remember but was really good. It's about the centurion who crucified Christ. Set mostly under Tiberius Caesar, but ends under Caligula. (Could be Nero, don't take my word for it.) The movie was awful.
The Big Fisherman
By the author of the Robe. This is about Peter, it's a prequel to the Robe, also has some theological issues, but has a beautiful romantic subplot I fell in love with. Mostly about the life of Christ.
Ben-Hur
Is set under Tiberius during the life of Christ. Reminds of me of the Bronze Bow. The movie is looong, not always accurate, but pretty good. Has chariot racing.
The Bronze Bow
All of us homeschoolers had to read this one, right?
(Most homeschoolers I know, including me, did.) It's about an attempted rebellion during the life of Christ. Not much to do with Rome at all. The Mark of the Lion series
The first book was good. The second book was disappointing. The third book was lame. Both the second and the third book had lame endings. Come to think of it, the first book did too, you just don't notice because you're so eager to get your hands on the sequel. Somewhere there's another thread on this so I won't get into an involved review, but there is quite a bit of blood. Set under Nero at first, but I'm pretty sure we go through three or four emperors whose names I can't remember.
Beric the Briton
G.A.Henty! I get this one mixed up with... something. Also set under Nero, and in a really unique way. Sweet story of British Rebellion and Christian Redemption. No one gets eaten by the lions.
Que Vadis
Latin for 'who goes there?' this book is the most intense, riveting, gory book I have ever read. Towards the end I didn't even want to read any more, but I couldn't put it down. I couldn't not know what happened. I mention this all the time, which is what prompted me to create this thread, in connection with torture and violence. It details, vividly, the three day execution of Christians ordered by Nero after the burning of Rome. It's an incredible book, a great masterpiece, but if you have a strong objection to graphic violence I wouldn't recommend it. It's a classic, I can't remember off hand who wrote it, but it's extremely powerful. I'd really like to hear anyone's thoughts on it who's also read it.
And I probably forgot one. I've read sooo many books set under Nero...
But there's my piece of non fantasy review for the day.