Ancient World

Why I am interested in Ancient World

I’ve always been fascinated by the ancient world because it feels like stepping into the roots of our modern civilization. Ancient Rome, for example, wasn't just about grand battles or famous leaders—it was a society where language, politics, and culture were deeply intertwined, shaping so much of what we experience today. Learning Latin and diving into the stories of the past gives me a sense of connection to something timeless, showing how the struggles and triumphs of ancient people still resonate in our world. It’s like solving a puzzle, only the pieces are history. I’d love to share some of the books and resources that have helped me explore this fascinating era—hopefully, you’ll enjoy them as much as I have!

Kids! Read Roman Mysteries Fun Series...

I first got into Roman history through the Roman Mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence when I was around 10. The books are about child detectives in Ostia during the reign of Emperor Titus. The story follows Flavia Gemina, a young girl from a wealthy Roman family, and her friends—Jonathan, a Jewish boy; Nubia, a freed African slave girl; and Lupus, a mute beggar boy. Together, they form a group of amateur detectives.

The first book in the series is "The Thieves of Ostia", and I can learn several historical aspects of of life in ancient Rome during the 1st century AD are woven into the story. The book is set in 79 AD, just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which would later destroy Pompeii and Herculaneum (though the eruption isn't directly part of this book, it’s referenced in the series). This book teaches me couple things:

- Daily life in Ancient Rome: Flavia comes from a wealthy family, and her friends are from different social hierarchy, Roman customs, and everyday activities.

-Slavery in Rome: Nubia is a freed slave, i can learn how slaves were treated.

-Religion and Beliefs: The story also touches on religious practices in Rome. Like Johnathan who is Jewish, and minority religious people live under Roman rule.

-Roman Society and Class Structure: Flavia (from the upper class) and her friends (from lower social class) shows the strict class divisions in Roman society.

This book totally hooked me on Ancient Rome. The way it shows everyday life in such a busy Roman town like Ostia, with all the cool details about how people lived back then, made history feel real and exciting. I loved how the book mixes in all the social stuff, like slaves, different religions, and the class differences, but still keeps you on the edge of your seat with the mystery. It made me want to dig deeper into Roman history, and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

Why SPQR by Mary Beard Changed How I See Rome

I’ve always been into ancient Rome (thanks to The Roman Mysteries series, of course), but reading SPQR by Mary Beard took it to another level. This book isn’t just a dry history lesson—it’s like Beard sat me down and said, "Let’s talk about what really made Rome tick." From the rise of the Republic to the fall of the Empire, she doesn’t just focus on the big names like Caesar and Augustus (though they’re obviously in there). What really hit me was how she talks about regular people, the slaves, women, and even criminals, and how they helped shape Rome too.

One part that really stuck with me was when Beard talks about the assassination of Julius Caesar. It’s such a famous moment in history, but she explains how it wasn’t just about Brutus and betrayal—it reflected deep divisions in Roman society. Some Romans saw Caesar as a hero, others as a tyrant, and his death exposed the chaos in the Republic. It made me realize how fragile Rome's political system really was, and how this moment wasn’t just about power, but about what kind of Rome people wanted.

Beard cuts through all the romanticized ideas we usually get about Rome and looks at it from every angle—good, bad, and ugly. Honestly, I’ve never thought of Rome as this complex mix of politics, class struggles, and changing identities until now. It’s not always an easy read (there’s a lot to take in), but if you’re interested in history that feels alive and relevant, SPQR will blow your mind. It’s like Rome just got real for me in a whole new way, and I couldn’t recommend it enough if you want to understand more than just the basics of ancient Rome.

After reading SPQR, I subscribed r/ancientrome in Reddit, look up videos from Youtube about Mary Beard! She is one of the famous classicist in the world. In X, her posts is hilarious. I will spend more my time to research on her works or books. Fun!

Why I am interested in Ancient World

Kids! Read Roman Mysteries Fun Series...

The Complete History Of The Roman Empire In 4 Hours

What The Day-To-Day Life Was Really Like In Ancient Rome | Rome: Empire Without Limit | Timeline