We've been thinking ahead to August, which makes our thoughts go back in time to the days of Ancient Rome! Confused? We don't blame you, it's a weird transition-- but let us explain.
August always reminds us of the month's namesake-- Augustus Caesar, the adoptive son of Julius Caesar and the first emperor of Rome! Before Augustus' rose to power the month was actually named Sextilus, meaning Six in Ancient Latin. (You read that right, August used to be the 6th month, not the 8th!)
You probably think of Augustus as an intimidating military leader, but it turns out there's a lot more to him than meets the eye! We learned a ton of fun facts about him while drafting this post-- here are a few of our favorites.
- His name was originally Augustus Octavian, not Augustus Caesar. He took on Caesar's name after his death to sway public perception in his favor.
- Believe it or not, Augustus never officially claimed the title of emperor for himself, preferring instead to be known as the First Citizen of the State.
- He was declared a god though! His impact on the Roman Empire was so great that he was named a god after his death in 14 AD. Wow!
- Augustus was an avid supporter of the arts, commissioning numerous statues during his long reign.
- Contrary to popular belief, Augustus Caesar's legacy is actually more of peace than war. During his reign, Augustus ushered in a long period of peace called the Pax Romana that would ultimately last for almost 200 years!
What a cool guy! Check out one of these titles if you want to learn more about Augustus and his impact.
Anyway, all that thinking about Augustus Caesar got us thinking about Rome-- and all of the great books set there. In the library all roads lead to books, so here are the top four books that immerse us in the remarkable world of Rome!
An Ember in the Ashes by Saaba Tahir
Elias is one of the Empire's top soldiers. Laia is a slave with only her brother left as her family. Both feel trapped by the brutal world of the Martial Empire. This is a story of adventure, tragedy, rebellion, and a hint of romance packed into a fast-paced book you won't want to put down!
Time Period? Inspired by Ancient Rome
Vibes? Dark historical fantasy
Bonus Points? Dual POV!
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
Based on the true story of Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, Blood Water Paint is the powerful story of a young woman who overcomes SA and stands against the prejudices of her time. We loved Artemisia's powerful, intense, and passionate voice that shines throughout this novel!
Time Period? Late Renaissance/Early Baroque Era (1610)
Vibes? Historical feminism
Bonus Points? This is a novel in verse!
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Unlike our other picks on this list, Love & Gelato is a charmingly sweet romance set in modern-day Italy. When she first comes to Italy, Lisa is less than enthused to stay overseas with her absent father. But after finding her mother's old journal, she quickly starts to see things in a new light. From gorgeous new places to budding romances, we felt like we were discovering the magic of Italy alongside Lisa!
Time Period? Modern-Day Tuscany
Vibes? Summer Romance
Bonus Points? Sweet feels!
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
If you want a story about a strong female fighter set in Ancient Rome, you want The Valiant! This story focuses on Fallon-- once the proud daughter of a Celtic king, now a defiant gladiator for Rome. While her romance with Roman soldier Cai is compelling, our favorite parts of the book were Fallon's interactions with real historical figures like her sworn enemy Julius Caesar.
Time Period? Ancient Rome
Vibes? Warrior woman
Bonus Points? Enemies to lovers!
If you're craving more immersion into the world of Rome, try listening to some songs to set the mood. We recommend Pompeii by Bastille and The Spanish Steps of Rome by Toto to start you off. Happy listening!