The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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10.3. Beware the Ides of March
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Sandy
(last edited Feb 19, 2011 04:27AM)
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Feb 18, 2011 04:38AM
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The Ides of March
The Gates of Rome
Mistress of Rome
Roman Dusk
Medicus
A Body in the Bathhouse
The Course of Honor
The Light Bearer
The Silver Chalice
The Kingdom and the Crown, Vol. 1: Fishers of Men
Lily of the Nile
Tiger, Tiger
Memoirs of Hadrian
Quo Vadis
Ben Hur
would The Ides of March by Thorton Wilder be okay? Don't know for sure when it takes place but it is in ancient Rome.
I plan to use The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden. I read the first book in his Genghis Khan series for the Winter challenge and really enjoyed it.
I don't have exact dates for when this book takes place -- but it seems like it would work. Mistress of RomeIs it Ok without precise dates?
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When I read it in high school, it didn't seem "too easy," LOL!
Sure, it works for this task.
Mod
Is it Ok without precise dates?"
Yes, from the description it sounds like it takes place during the right general time frame.
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From the description, it sounds fine.
Mod
sounds good!
Just to clarify, when you say "set during the time of the Roman Empire," does that mean the book can be from that time period but not have anything to do with the Roman Empire? I'm don't think this is what you mean, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks!
Sandy wrote: "kiki wrote: "could we read shakespeare's Julius Caesar...or is that just too easy?? :)"When I read it in high school, it didn't seem "too easy," LOL!
Sure, it works for this task."
lol, it really ISN'T easy, i agree, and i'm actually dreading it, but it's the only book i have related to the task. i just meant it seemed like the obvious choice to read! :)
Is it OK to read a book written during the Roman Empire? - Ovid's Metamorphoses, "a Latin narrative poem in fifteen books by the Roman poet Ovid describing the history of the world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar" completed in the year 8 AD
Mod
Unfortunately, from the description, it appears that this is about Gaius Marius, who pre-dated the Roman Empire - he died in 86 BC, 40 years before the period of the Roman Empire began. So this is still during the period when Rome was a Republic, not during the time of the Roman Empire.
Mod
It should have some connection to the Roman Empire, but it doesn't have to be set in Rome. The Empire spread itself all over the place, and it's fine to read a book set somewhere else as long as there's some connection.
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yes, that would be okay.
ahhh nuts! only the last one in the series actually fits that time period...i might go with the Iggulson one then since its already approved...and i've liked his previous booksSandy wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i'm planning on doing The First Man in Rome if it works...I think it does based on the description"
Unfortunately, from the description, it a..."
Mod
Unfortunately, no - the Trojan War was much earlier than the time of the Roman Empire.
Mod
no, the Trojan War was much earlier than the Roman Empire, so Helen of Troy isn't going to work.
Mod
from the description, it sounds as if it's in the right time frame - talking about the Roman Empire being in its waning days, and the "new" religion of Christianity.
Lahni wrote: "Will this work? Medicus: A Novel of the Roman Empire"Ohh, that one looks good, I hope it's approved so I can read it!
Mod
it sounded fine, and I was also able to find a description on Amazon that said it's set in 117 AD - so it's good.
I'm glad you reminded me of this one! It was either free or really cheap to download on kindle in early January, so I've got it on my kindle - and it sounds pretty good.
Thanks, Sandy. I got mine free around then too.
Mod
that was already disapproved.
Mod
yes. Already listed in post 2 as approved.
Can I use a book about Cleopatra? Maybe Cleopatra Rules! - her rule falls during the beginning of the Roman empire.
Sandy wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Would Mistress of Rome work for this task? Thanks."yes. Already listed in post 2 as approved."
Sorry, didn't see that! Thanks!
Mod
Fran wrote: "Can I use a book about Cleopatra? Maybe Cleopatra Rules! - her rule falls during the beginning of the Roman empire."
Cleopatra works - she's in the right period, and she was certainly entangled with the key players in the Empire
Sandy wrote: "Gayla wrote: "I was wondering about Cleopatra: A Life myself -- is that too tangential?"Fran wrote: "Can I use a book about Cleopatra? Maybe Cleopatra Rules! - her..."
Great- thanks Sandy!
How about A Body in the Bathhouse? I have it lying around for some time now as audiobook and have nearly made my mind up to listen to it. From the description it sounds as if it's set in Emperor Vespasian's time.
Mod
The GR descriptions starts out "AD 75" so that works!
Checking the English description would have helped me a lot (I read only my German edition's description).Thanks.
does this one work:The Course of Honor - from the description:
Ancient Rome's most turbulent period is recreated in this story of the Emperor Vespasian and his mistress, Antonia Caenis, a freed slave. As their forbidden romance blossoms, she is embroiled in political intrigue, while he embarks on a glorious career.
Mod
The Course of Honor - from the description:
Ancient Rome's most turbulent period is recreated in this story of the Emperor Vespasian and his mistress, Antonia Cae..."
yep. Vespasian was emperor from 69 to 79 AD, so that's within the timeframe.
thanks! as an aside - i think most of Lindsey Davis's books are set during that time period - Body in the Bathhouse is one of the later ones in the series and I saw that it was approved
Mod
yes - it apparently takes place in the lst century AD, so the time is right, and it certainly seems to involve the Roman Empire.
Mod
Yep.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Pompeii (other topics)The Iliad (other topics)
The Odyssey (other topics)
Medicus (other topics)
Memoirs of Hadrian (other topics)
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