best ancient historical novels

One of the best is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It offers a vivid portrayal of the Roman Empire from the perspective of Claudius. The characters are well - drawn, and the political intrigue is fascinating.

One of the best is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It vividly depicts the Roman Empire from the perspective of Claudius. Another great one is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It combines a medieval monastery setting with mystery and historical details. Also, 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is excellent. It shows life in 12th - century England during the building of a cathedral.

One great one to start with is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It offers a vivid look into the Roman Empire. Another is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco which combines mystery and medieval history. And 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel gives a detailed view of Tudor England.

Then there's 'Gates of Fire' by Steven Pressfield. This novel is about the Battle of Thermopylae. It vividly shows the Spartan warriors and their values. The battle scenes are intense, and it also delves into the politics and culture of ancient Greece.

One of the great ones could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid and detailed account of Russian society during the Napoleonic era.

One of the best is 'The Mummy' by Anne Rice. It vividly portrays the ancient Egyptian world with elements of mystery and the supernatural. Another great one is 'Nefertiti' by Michelle Moran. It delves deep into the life of the famous queen, exploring her power, relationships, and the political intrigue of the time. And 'River God' by Wilbur Smith is also highly recommended. It tells a story full of adventure, love, and war set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt.

Another great one is 'The Eagle of the Ninth' by Rosemary Sutcliff. It follows a young Roman officer on his quest to recover the lost eagle standard of his father's legion in the wilds of Britain. It gives a great sense of the Roman military and the relationship between the Romans and the native Britons.

Well, 'Gates of Fire' by Steven Pressfield is a top choice for ancient historical fiction. It focuses on the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece and the Spartans' heroic stand. Then there's 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. While it mainly focuses on the building of a cathedral, it gives a great sense of medieval England. And 'Memoirs of Hadrian' by Marguerite Yourcenar is a beautifully written account of Hadrian's life in the Roman Empire.

One of the best historical novels is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts Russian society during the Napoleonic era, with complex characters and a grand narrative that spans war and peace. Another great one is 'Pride and Prejudice' which gives a detailed look into the social mores and class structure of 19th - century England through the story of the Bennett family. Also, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a remarkable historical novel, set in a medieval monastery, full of mystery and intellectual exploration.

Some of the best historical novels include 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It vividly depicts the Napoleonic era in Russia. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which gives insights into the social life in early 19th - century England. Also, 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, set in Puritan New England, explores themes of sin and redemption.