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.

I like this period too... and I read The Bronze Bow and Beric the Briton and lots of abridgements of Ben-Hur...and what else have I read?

I liked The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn. Not very mushy, either. ;D I haven't gotten my hands on the second book in the series yet, though. The MC is the servant of Pilate's wife Claudia, so approx. 34 AD.

I also really, really like Focus on the Family Radio Theatre's The Luke Reports - approx. 66 AD, fictionalized story of how Luke collected the various accounts which he put into his gospel -- and tries to stay out of the way of the Sycarii. Very fascinating, emotional, historical.... I loves it.

I know I've read more... I just can't remember it. ;D

Oh yeah, I read Eagle of the Ninth, but that's more about Romans-in-Briton, not Romans-in-Rome or Romans-in-Israel.

It's one of my fav time periods.

I love Beric the Briton! I also liked the movie 'The Final Inquiry', but I should give a word of warning with this movie, if you don't like blood and battle, don't watch it. It's supposedly a guy movie with a little romance thrown in, but I live with a 16 year old brother and a 13 year old brother (and others, but they are the main 2 in this subject) and we’ve always done most everything together. I watch stuff like Master and Commander with them. I enjoyed it, and it is set in said time period, directly after the death of Christ, but some of you may not enjoy it. There is no language, by the way, and the romance is at a minimal, the couple kisses before marriage ( like a whole unnecessary minute!) but that’s all.

I also saw the movie Spartacus. That's what I get mixed up with Beric the Briton. I haven't read the book though... It was awesome, and sad.

Yeah, there is a sad part at the end of The Final Inquiry, but not a kind of sad scene that made me go 'I will never watch that movie again!'.

I've read "Beric the Briton," "The Bronze Bow," and "Ben Hur." G.A. Henty is amazing.

I know, we have about 50 or so G.A. Hentys in our family library, and he never ceases to amaze me. That man can get his characters out of anything! We are working towards the entire collection.

I've also read The Bronze Bow (I had to smile about it being required reading for homeschoolers) and Ben-Hur. Another one to add to the mix is To the Ends of the Earth by T. Davis Bunn. It may be out of print now, but you can probably find used copies. It's been quite a while since I read it, but I enjoyed it at the time.

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.
Read it...pretty good book

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.
VERY good book...borrowed it from someone or something.

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 Ceaser, but ends under Caligula. (Could be Nero, don't take my word for it.) The movie was awful.
Want to read it...anyone want to send it to me?

All pretty good books.

eruheran