What are some entry level books on Rome, preferably going as

>>1459097
I'd also very much like that, but I don't think there's anything substantial out there. Unless you want to get into the mythological foundation, that's also interesting.

Gibbon is essential, and a much better read than most

For a really basic book, but one that will give you "the gist" read Ancient Rome - Simon Baker

Then you can read more specific works, primary sources or whatever.

Read Livy

>>1459181
He's certainly not essential. He has a lot of silly memes as well.

Sure, read him, but don't take it as the platinum standard up-to-date history.

If you don't mind podcasts, check out Mike Duncan's History of Rome.

>>1459181
>>1459289
>>1459321
Thanks

>>1459097
H.H Scullard's books are a very good, if somewhat dry, introduction to Roman history.

>>1459097
Mary bird is quite good

>>1459097
History of Rome by Livy, that shit reads like the sillmarillion with its mix of myths and semi-historical premise, there is a lot of crap, but there is also a attempt to be unbiased and clearly lays out each step that Rome took from a monarchy to that of a oppressive tyrant to that of the Free Republic and from there to the conquering and expansionist hegemony that Rome became through its myriad trials to rule the Mediterranean and beyond becoming the model for current superpowers.

Absolutely interesting if you are REALLY into Rome.

>>1459321
I second this completely.

>>1459460
I assume the Penguin Selincourt is the way to go here?

>>1460199
Go for Oxford World's Classics

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Rome-Books-One-Five/dp/0199540047/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1469456735&sr=8-6&keywords=livy

>>1460200
Alright thanks

>>1459460
>shit reads like the silmarillion

oh god

>>1459460
>History of Rome by Livy, that shit reads like the sillmarillion with its mix of myths and semi-historical premise

If you liked that aspect

read The Histories by Herodotus

It's a history of Mesopotamia and Greece leading up to the final Persian War, but he tells many tales and folklore and talks about the customs of various tribes (for example the Scythians would hotbox cannabis seeds in little tents by chucking the seeds on a fire).

>>1459097
I don't know about the Roman state, but Solodow's Latin Alive is a very very good book on Latin itself.