Best Historical Fiction Books Rome (2026): 4 Novels Compared

Readers hunting the best historical fiction books rome has to offer usually want the ancient Republic: senators, legions and the fall of the Republic. We compared four Rome novels by series position, setting, publisher and publication date, using only what each listing publishes. Three are ancient Rome; one is Rome under Nazi occupation in WWII.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	First Man in Rome by McCullough	9.7/10	Buy
2	Gates of Rome by Iggulden	9.7/10	Buy
3	Dictator by Harris	9.6/10	Buy
4	The Ghosts of Rome by O'Connor	9.5/10	Buy

1

First Man in Rome by McCullough

Colleen McCullough·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The opening volume of a seven-book ancient Rome saga, for readers who want to start at the beginning.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 7 in the Masters of Rome series, so it starts the saga
• Follows Marius and Sulla's rise in the Republic, per the description
• 1st edition published April 7, 2020 by Avon

Cons

• Description includes ruthless ambition and a bloody destiny
• No page count is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

2

Gates of Rome by Iggulden

Conn Iggulden·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The first book of a five-volume Caesar series, for readers who want Julius Caesar's early years.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 5 in the Emperor series, so it starts at the beginning
• Follows the young Julius Caesar and his friend Marcus, per the description
• Published by Delacorte, January 1, 2003

Cons

• Description includes bloodshed, gladiatorial combat and battle scenes
• No page count is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

3

Dictator by Harris

Robert Harris·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The final volume of Harris's Cicero trilogy, for readers who already know the first two books.

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Pros

• Covers the collapse of the Roman Republic, per the description
• Cicero's fight to return from exile drives the plot, per the description
• Published by Vintage, January 12, 2016

Cons

• Book 3 of 3: start with the first two books, which are not in this list
• Description includes political violence and assassination
• No page count is stated

4

The Ghosts of Rome by O'Connor

Joseph O'Connor·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A WWII Rome suspense novel, for readers who want Rome under occupation rather than ancient Rome.

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Pros

• Set in Nazi-occupied Rome in the final months of WWII, per the description
• Book 2 of 3 in the Rome Escape Line Trilogy
• Published February 4, 2025 by Europa

Cons

• Set in WWII, not ancient Rome, so it fits the keyword loosely
• Description includes wartime violence and the Gestapo
• Book 2 of 3: the story starts in the first volume

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More picks to compare

• Empire of the Legions by AracinSuits readers wanting Trajan-era Rome; Book 1 of 4, 291 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 19 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the four listings states a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best historical fiction books rome

Ancient Rome or wartime Rome

Three picks are ancient Rome: McCullough’s Republic-era saga, Iggulden’s young Caesar and Harris’s Cicero. The O’Connor novel is set in Nazi-occupied Rome in the final months of WWII, a different Rome entirely. If your book club wants togas and legions, pick from the first three; our best historical fiction books about ancient Rome list has more. For wartime Rome, see our best historical fiction books set in world war 2 list.

Start at book one

Two picks are series starters: The First Man in Rome is Book 1 of 7 and The Gates of Rome is Book 1 of 5, so either begins its saga cleanly. Dictator is Book 3 of 3 and The Ghosts of Rome is Book 2 of 3, so both assume you know the earlier volumes. For a book club picking one title, a Book 1 avoids homework; for a reader already mid-series, the later volumes are the point.

Check the listing for pages and age

None of the four listings states a page count or a reading age, so check the product page before buying for a younger reader. The descriptions of all four mention violence, from gladiatorial combat to wartime occupation, so they suit adult readers and older teens rather than children. Our book club books lists note discussion-friendly picks.

Before you buy

• Check which book of the series comes first; two picks here are mid-series volumes.
• Read the description for mature themes before buying for a younger reader.
• Confirm the edition and publication date on the listing, since older titles may have newer printings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should I start with?

Start with a Book 1: The First Man in Rome opens the seven-volume Masters of Rome series and The Gates of Rome opens the five-volume Emperor series. Dictator and The Ghosts of Rome are later volumes.

Are these books suitable for teens?

The descriptions mention violence in all four, from ancient battles to WWII occupation. None of the listings states a reading age, so they suit adult readers and older teens; check the description first.

Is The Ghosts of Rome about ancient Rome?

No. It is set in Nazi-occupied Rome in the final months of World War II, per the description. For ancient Rome, pick one of the other three.

Still deciding? Our top pickFirst Man in Rome by McCullough

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Related lists

See every book club picks list and all fiction lists.

More lists: ancient Rome fiction, WWII fiction and fiction set in Italy.