January 3 & 17, February 7 Three Stones Make A Wall by Eric Cline eBook Author chat February 21 I Am Livia by Phyllis T Smith eBook March 7 & 21 Catullus's Bedspread: The Life of Rome's Most Erotic Poet by Daisy Dunn eBook April 4 & 18 A Song of War: a novel of Troy by Christian Cameron, Libby Hawker, Stephanie Thornton, Kate Quinn, Russell Whitfield, S.J.A. Turney, Vicky Alvear Shecter (The H-Team) eBook Authors chat Members may have downloaded the H-Team omnibus last year May 2 & 16, June 6 Empires and Barbarians: The Fall of Rome and the Birth of Europe by Peter Heather eBook June 27, July 11 (because of July 4 & Lebaran) I, Claudius: From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius by Robert Graves eBook July 18 Rivals of the Republic (Blood of Rome, Book 1) by Annelise Freisenbruch eBook August Recess September 5 & 12 (because of Yom Kippur) October 3 Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World by Adrian Goldsworthy eBook October 17, November 7 Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Apicius) by Crystal King eBook Author chat November 14 (because of Thanksgiving) Catullus' Poems (details to come)... Continue reading

March 7 & 21 Catullus's Bedspread: The Life of Rome's Most Erotic Poet by Daisy Dunn eBook The "Bedspread" poem (Carmen 64) Odi et Amo (Carmen 85) by N.S. Gill I hate and I love. Why do I do it, perchance you might ask? I don't know, but I feel it happening to me and I'm burning up. "Analysis of the structure "Forget, for a moment, about translating it. The structure of the poem is almost as important as the words themselves. Noting how and where certain words are used lets you see what the poet was emphasizing. In a language where poetry doesn't rhyme and where word order is more flexible than English, these are some of the elements that separate mundane writing from the inspirational." New members are welcome! Online Book Chats Continue reading

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard also as eBook 9:30 - 11:00 PM U.S. Eastern 10/4: through Chapter Five (A Wider World) 10/18: through Chapter Nine (The Transformations is Augustus) 11/1: through the end Review by Emily Wilson New members are always welcome! Chat room location (with instructions) at Skype IM (text, no video). Continue reading

September 6 & 13 (note 1-week interval because of Rosh Hashanah) Dictator by Robert Harris (Cicero III) also as eBook This is the final novel in the trilogy of the life of Cicero as narrated by his secretary Tiro. From exile to death. The earlier books: Imperium Conspirata New members are always welcome! Chat room location (with instructions) at Skype IM. Continue reading

More background to our current read, The Edge of the Empire: A Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall by Bronwen Riley. (May 3 & 17): Charlotte Higgins interviewed, in The New Yorker, Roger Tomlin, Chief Researcher, Roman Inscriptions of Britain III, Fellow, Wolfson College. How to Decode an Ancient Roman’s Handwriting. This is very helpful as Riley cites him many times in the above book. That led me to Higgins' own book on Roman Britain, which, upon inquiry in our Facebook group, was highly praised. With a little monetary windfall that I have reserved for buying books, I downloaded Under Another Sky: Journeys in Roman Britain. The two books take a very different approach. Riley sets up an imaginary travelogue in the year 130 CE for the then newly appointed governor. Higgins takes a look at the entire Roman Britain – albeit with selected sites – and explores the sites, the related history and archaeology, and frequently delves into literary connections, ancient and modern. Did you know that Wilfred Owen, a "Shropshire Lad," was an enthusiastic boyhood archaeologist and might have well chosen this as a profession, had he survives the Great War? I am... Continue reading

Our current read, The Edge of the Empire: A Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall by Bronwen Riley, starts its travelogue in Rome and spends some time at Ostia and Portus. Thus you might want to make a virtual tour through Ostia Antica. Image from above website ***** On another note, Caroline Lawrence, whom many of you know, interviewed the author in 2015: The History Girls ***** Newcomers are always welcome! The Roman History Reading Group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month except August at Skype IM (no video) from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m. U.S. EDT (UTC/GMT -04). This means that in Asia and Australia/Pacific it's daytime. Here is a world time clock to help you. Chat room directions. Irene will assist you. Continue reading

May 3 & 17 The Edge of the Empire: A Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall by Bronwen Riley also as eBook UK title: Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall, AD 130 also as eBook An imaginary travelogue. May 3: through Chapter VI, Westwards to Silchester May 17: through the end Newcomers are always welcome! The Roman History Reading Group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month except August at Skype IM (no video) from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m. U.S. EDT (UTC/GMT -04). This means that in Asia and Australia/Pacific it's daytime. Here is a world time clock to help you. Chat room directions. Irene will assist you. Continue reading

edited Upon further checking, it turns out that we read Robert Harris' second book in the Cicero series under another title already. Thus we will continue with the third and final novel, "Dictator." Chat List for 2017 January 4 & 18, February 1 The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough also as eBook February 15, March 1 & 15 Rubicon by Tom Holland also as eBook April 5 & 19 Antony by Allan Massie May 3 & 17 The Edge of the Empire: A Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall by Bronwen Riley UK title: Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian's Wall, AD 130 also as eBook June 7 & 21 A Year of Ravens: a novel of Boudica's Rebellion by The H-Team (Ruth Downie, Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Vicky Alvear Shecter), S.J.A. Turney, Russell Whitfield, E. Knight) also as eBook possible authors chat (U.S. based authors) July 5 & 19 Daughters of Rome (Empress of Rome) by Kate Quinn also as eBook Author chat August Recess September 6 & 13 (because of Rosh Hashanah) Dictator by Robert Harris (Cicero III) also as eBook October 4 & 18, November 1 SPQR: A... Continue reading

April 5 & 19 Antony by Allan Massie As dictated to and and annotated by Antony's secretary Critias. April 5: through Chapter XIV April 19: through the end Continue reading

online book chats, Spartacus Road, Peter Stothard, Symachus, Statiua, Florus, Roman history, The Appian Way, Robert Kaster, travelogues Continue reading

March 16, April 6 & 20 The Death of Caesar: The Story of History's Most Famous Assassination by Barry Strauss also as eBook March 16: Through Chapter 6 (Wanted Assassins) April 6: Through the end (Chapter 13: Augustus) April 20: Author chat. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in the Roman Senate on March 15, 44 BC—the Ides of March according to the Roman calendar. He was, says author Barry Strauss, the last casualty of one civil war and the first casualty of the next civil war, which would end the Roman Republic and inaugurate the Roman Empire. “The Death of Caesar provides a fresh look at a well-trodden event, with superb storytelling sure to inspire awe” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). Why was Caesar killed? For political reasons, mainly. The conspirators wanted to return Rome to the days when the Senate ruled, but Caesar hoped to pass along his new powers to his family, especially Octavian. The principal plotters were Brutus, Cassius (both former allies of Pompey), and Decimus. The last was a leading general and close friend of Caesar’s who felt betrayed by the great man: He was the mole in Caesar’s camp. But after the assassination everything went wrong.... Continue reading

February 17, March 2 A Day of Fire by E Knight, Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, Sophie Perinot,, Vicky Alvear Shecter, Kate Quinn also as eBook Authors chat March 2 Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . . and these are their stories: A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets. An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire. An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished. A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue. A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls. A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried. Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be... Continue reading

Update, January 15 Our first chat in the New Year is an oldie but goodie: First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough. January 6 & 20, February 3 This novel, the first in the "Masters of Rome" series, has sparked the interest in Roman history for many readers. For myself, this is one of several go-arounds since I started these online chats in 1995. From the book description: With extraordinary narrative power, New York Times bestselling author Colleen McCullough sweeps the reader into a whirlpool of pageantry and passion, bringing to vivid life the most glorious epoch in human history. When the world cowered before the legions of Rome, two extraordinary men dreamed of personal glory: the military genius and wealthy rural "upstart" Marius, and Sulla, penniless and debauched but of aristocratic birth. Men of exceptional vision, courage, cunning, and ruthless ambition, separately they faced the insurmountable opposition of powerful, vindictive foes. Yet allied they could answer the treachery of rivals, lovers, enemy generals, and senatorial vipers with intricate and merciless machinations of their own—to achieve in the end a bloody and splendid foretold destiny . . . and win the most coveted honor the Republic could bestow. January 6:... Continue reading

Our final chat for the year, on December 16, is the next in our occasional installments of the Gordianus mysteries: Last Seen in Massilia by Steven Saylor, also as eBook. Overview: In the city of Massilia (modern-day Marseille), on the coast of Southern Gaul, Gordianus the Finder's beloved son Meto has disappeared--branded as a traitor to Caesar and apparently dead. Consumed with grief, Gordianus arrives in the city in the midst of a raging civil war, hoping to discover what happened to his son. But when he witnesses the fall of a young woman from a precipice called Sacrifice Rock, he becomes entangled in discovering the truth--did she fall or was she pushed? And where, in all of this, could it be connected to his missing son? Drawn into the city's treacherous depths, where nothing and no one are what they seem, Gordianus must summon all of his skills to discover his son's fate--and to safeguard his own life. Note: Steven Saylor does not do author chats, but he has told me he'd be happy to answer any questions by e-mail. You can find his address on the above author website. New members are welcome! Chat room location (with instructions)... Continue reading

The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton also as eBook Author chat: Thursday, October 22 9:30 to 11:00 p.m. US ET (UTC/GMT -04) Please note change of date, the author chat with Stephanie Thornton will be on Thursday, October 22. New members are welcome! Chat room instructions Background: Procopius: The Secret History Continue reading

September 2, 16 & 30 Taken at the Flood: The Roman Conquest of Greece by Robin Waterfield also as eBook Breakdown: September 2 Through Chapter 4: King Philip of Macden September 16 Through Chapter 8: Remote Control September 20 Through the end The book is not without controversy, see BMCR Review. Peter Green recently reviewed it with three other books in the NYRB, but unfortunately available only to subscribers: When the Roman Empire Didn’t Stop New members are welcome! Chat room location (with instructions) at Skype IM. 2015 Reading Schedule Continue reading

On June 3 & 17 we discuss Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero by James Romm. June 3: as far as we can get June 17: author chat with James Romm Background readings: The Greatest Empire: A Life of Seneca by Emily Wilson Review of both books: Such a Stoic: How Seneca became Ancient Rome’s philosopher-fixer Dialogues and Essays by Seneca Newcomers: Chat room location (with instructions) at Skype IM. Continue reading

H. Rider Haggard: 'Cleopatra" from the Introduction: “The reader is asked to bear in mind, [that] the story is told, not from the modern point of view, but as from the broken heart and with the lips of an Egyptian patriot of royal blood; no mere beast-worshipper, but a priest instructed in the inmost mysteries, who believed firmly in the personal existence of the gods of Khem, in the possibility of communion with them, and in the certainty of immortal life with its rewards and punishments; to whom also the bewildering and often gross symbolism of the Osirian Faith was nothing but a veil woven to obscure secrets of the Sanctuary. Whatever proportion of truth there may have been in their spiritual claims and imaginings, if indeed there was any, such men as the Prince Harmachis have been told of in the annals of every great religion, and, as is shown by the testimony of monumental and sacred inscriptions, they were not unknown among the worshippers of the Egyptian Gods, and more especially of Isis.” ... “To such students as seek a story only, and are not interested in the faith, ceremonies, or customs of the Mother of Religion and... Continue reading

Our chats on May 6 & 20 are on an unusual novel by H. Rider Haggard: Cleopatra, as seen from the Egyptian POV. The book is available both on Gutenberg and (also free) on Kindle. May 6: Let's plan through Book II, Chapter VIII. May 20: Through the end. Haggard: Reputation and legacy. Chat Room Directions for Newcomers Continue reading

Our upcoming chats on April 1 & 15 are letters by Seneca: Corrected to adjust dates. Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics) Online The Penguin book contains the following letters which we will discuss - ideally - as follows: April 1: II, III, V, VI through IX, XI, XII, XV, XVI, XVIII. XXVI through XXVIII, XXXIII, XXXVIII, XL, XLI, XLVI through XLVIII, LIII through LVI April 15: LXIII, LXV, LXXIII, LXXV, LXXVII, LXXVIII, LXXXIII, LXXXVI, LXXXVIII, XC, XCI, CIV, CVII, CVIII, CXIV, CXXII, CXXIII Chat Room Directions for Newcomers Seneca, the fat-cat philosopher Connected: June 3 & 17 chats Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero by James Romm / author chat also as eBook Continue reading

We will discuss The Reach of Rome: A Journey Through the Lands of the Ancient Empire, Following a Coin by Alberto Angela on February 4 & 18, March 4 February 4: through "Milan ~ Women's Liberation" February 18: through "Provence ~ Beware of the Brigands" March 4: through the end Newcomers: Chat room location (with instructions) at Skype IM. Continue reading

We are starting the new year off with a well known time travel novel that gets us to 2nd century CE Carnuntum! January 7 & 21 Household Gods by Judith Tarr & Harry Turtledove (eBooks only ouside the U.S.) This is a great site to explore the ancient town: Carnuntum, Reborn City of Emperors Newcomers: Chat room location (with instructions) at Skype IM. Continue reading

Join us in December for two mysteries: December 3 Persona Non Grata (Gaius Petreius Ruso Series #3) aka "The Root of all Evils" by Ruth Downie (link includes eBook. Less expensive used copies may be had at ABEbooks.com and elsewhere) => December 2 Update Robert Greaves found these two useful links: Barbarian let loose in Gaul with camera Nemausus (Nîmes) December 10 (because of Hanukkah) Roman Games (Plinius Secundus Series #1) by Bruce MacBain (link includes eBook) Continue reading

Get ready for an engrossing read! Wednesday, November 19 The Legate's Daughter: A Novel by Wallace Breem The only recommendation The Legate's Daughter should require is its author's name. Wallace Breem was one of the most gifted writers ever to turn his attention to the historical novel, with a mastery of descriptive writing, characterization, tone and mood rare indeed among those who work in the genre. The Legate's Daughter is as shrouded in rich, suggestive shadows as a Rembrandt masterpiece. Whether the setting is the slums of Rome or an African palace, the most striking scenes tend to take place at night, when those shadows grow darker and an unknown danger seems to lurk just out of sight. Those dangers steadily grow as the plot proceeds and suspense ratchets upwards. The Legate's Daughter Wallace Breem—some biographical notes Used copies may be had at ABEbooks.com and elsewhere. Also as eBook at Amazon. Newcomers are welcome. Information Continue reading

October 1 & 15, November 5: Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome by Anthony Barrett (used copies may be had at ABEbooks.com and elsewhere) Also as eBook at Amazon and iTunes. The book has 222 pages of narrative text and 107 pages of appendices. The breakdown - sans appendices which may be read anytime - will be as follows: October 1: Preface, Part I (THE LIFE OF LIVIA), 1 - 4. October 15: through Part I (THE LIFE OF LIVIA), 5 ; Part II, (LIVIAN THEMES), 6 & 7. November 5: through the end of the narrative text. Continue reading