Essential Reading 336 BCE - 70 CE

by djangodjango

Hello,

I find myself very interested in the time period of 336 BCE (Conquests of Alexander), through to 70 CE (Siege of Jerusalem), with a primary focus on Jerusalem, Judaism and the rise of Christianity.

I'm starting to compile a reading list, and I thought I would ask around here for help. I'm mostly interested in primary sources, but I'm very welcome to any other great reads covering these topics:

  • Conquests of Alexander the Great
  • Ptolemaic Kingdom
  • Seleucid Empire
  • Hasmonean dynasty
  • Herodian dynasty
  • Roman Civil War - Rise of Roman Empire (Pompeii, Julius Caeser, Mark Antony, Octavius)
  • Roman Emperor's during this period (Octavius, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Four Emperor's + Flavian)
  • Christianity: Jesus, Paul, Peter, James
  • Josephus and Jewish Civil War
  • Jewish-Roman War and Siege of Jerusalem

I know this is a pretty large period, but I would be very grateful to anyone who can lead me in the right direction in furthering my knowledge of this period.

Opinionated-Legate

I see you have several names in there, including Julius Caesar and Josephus. Have you investigated their historical works? If not, those should go to the top of the list for that era. Basic google search or google scholar search will help a lot. Otherwise I can suggest a few for a handful of categories.

• Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars and The Civil War

• Josephus works on Israel and the Jewish War/Revolt

• The Bible. Despite it's religious nature, it still offers insight into the era dealing with the Herodians and early Christianity.

• The Government of the Roman Empire a sourcebook compiled by Barbara Levick.

• Vespasian also by Barbara Levick.

• Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy

• Soldiers and Ghosts by J.E. Lendon

• Tacitus' Annals and Histories. I recommend the combined version that also includes his work on Agricola. Fascinating stuff.

• The Greco-Roman World by James Jeffers

• Suetonius' the 12 Caesars

• Documents of the Christian Church 4th Edition, by Bettenson and Maunder.

• Studying the Historical Jesus by Darrell Bock

• The War of the Three Gods by Peter Crawford

• Confronting the Classics by Mary Beard. A must read if you are delving into Classical and Ancient source materials.

• Polybius' The Histories.

There is a ton more books I could suggest, but this would be a start. What I end up doing is getting a decent book, reading it, reading the Bibliography, and getting some of those books. I have a library of about 50 ebooks and over 300 physical books, so be wary. It's an addiction. If you have any other questions just let me know!