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Books

Atlas of Ancient History by Colin McEvedy (Penguin, 1988) £7.99
Traces the migrations and evolution of the races as well as the development of civilisations from prehistoric times to the 4th century AD.

Egypt, Greece and Rome by Charles Freeman (Oxford University Press, 1999) £16.99
This introduction to the ancient Mediterranean and its three major civilisations – Egypt, Greece and Rome – reveals a fascinating picture of the deep links between the cultures and explores the ways in which these civilisations continue to be influential to this day.

Everyday Life in Ancient Rome by Lionel Casson (John Hopkins University Press, 1999) £12.50
An evocative study of ordinary Romans; when they got up, when they ate, how they earned a living and why a career in the army was greatly sought after, in spite of the dangers.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon, edited by David Womersley (Penguin, 2000) £9.99
Abridged version of the great work – originally in three long volumes – first published in the latter part of the 18th century. Although superseded by the work of later historians, it has rarely been surpassed in its breadth of view, biting criticism and sympathetic treatment.

The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization edited by Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth (Oxford University Press, 1998) £29.99
Provides an up-to-date and authoritative survey of the Greek and Roman worlds in all their aspects.

Roman Britain by Martin Millett (Batsford, 1997) £15.99
Looks at the occupation of Britain by the Romans over a time span of four centuries. Recent excavation and fieldwork are also featured, bringing to life the social and economic framework of the time.

Roman Britain by John Wacher (Sutton, 1998) £20
An introduction to this period takes into account life before the Romans arrived and then the massive changes imposed on the native peoples of Britain following the Roman invasion. Wacher also writes on the withdrawal of the Romans and presents a picture of Britain after the empire.

The Roman Invasion of Britain by Graham Webster (Routledge, 1999) £15
Presents the background to Britain before the invasion, including the impact of Julius Caesar's campaigns on Kent (including Durovernum, present-day Canterbury). Also describes the Roman forces, the personalities involved, the actual invasion – including the battle on the Medway – and Claudius's triumphal entrance into Camulodunum (Colchester), the British capital.

Romans and Barbarians: Four views from the empire's edge by Derek Williams (St Martin's Press, 1999) £25
Chronicles the experiences of Roman soldiers encountering the shadowy 'barbarians' and Celtic peoples of the empire's frontier in the 1st century AD.

Tacitus: The Agricola and the Germania (Penguin, 1970) £6.99
Classic history of Rome's British and German campaigns written by the most eminent Roman historian of the period, 70 years after the events described. Although Roman at heart, Tacitus is surprisingly even-handed in his descriptions, and the incidental detail provided by this witty, passionate and wry historian is fascinating. The Germania contains an exhaustive description of all the German tribes and customs.

Women in Roman Britain by Lindsay Allason-Jones (Michael O'Mara, 2000) £14.99
Tombstones, writing tablets and curse tablets have revealed a great deal about the lives of Romano-British women, their social status, health, pastimes, dress, jewellery, hairstyles, homes and religion.

For children, parents and teachers

Journeys in the Roman Empire (Channel 4 Television/British Museum) £24.99 (additional CD-ROMS £5.88 each, only with initial order). Ages 9–14.
Through this CD-ROM, you can explore four journeys across different places and times in the Roman empire. You can choose to be a Roman merchant trading with Celtic Britain, follow the Emperor Hadrian on his tour of the empire, investigate the story of Regina and Barates, or witness the barbarian invasion and the rise of Christianity. A virtual tour allows you to explore the streets of the ancient port of Rome, and the Roman board game Ludus Latrunculorum will challenge your military skills. Enjoy access to hundreds of images of artefacts from the British Museum and numerous sites throughout the Roman empire. Developed by Braunarts.

Boudica by Christine Moorcroft and Magnus Magnusson (4Learning) £5 Ages 5–7
This 28-page story book – part of the Stop, Look, Listen: Famous people series – details the life of the famous queen and her actions and achievements, which have had a direct influence on the way we live today.

Boudica: Victorious queen (4Learning) £14.99. Ages 5–7
This video – part of the Famous People 2 series – includes a profile of Boudica (plus four other people). The relevant 15-minute programme opens with a dramatic event central to her life, then recounts her biography with reconstructions of key moments. The programme concludes with the presentation of different forms of physical evidence.

Build a Roman Town (4Learning/Anglia Multimedia) £35.25 (single user pack). Ages 7–9
This CD-ROM presents evidence from a Roman site to enable children to build a picture of a Roman town. For both teachers and pupils, it includes access to detailed and extensive online support, via a simple and easy-to-use website.
Eureka! Romans and Celts (4Learning). Ages 7–11.

Video: Barates the Syrian sold silk flags to the Roman legionaries on Hadrian’s Wall. His story, and that of his British wife Regina, illustrates the social and cultural diversity of the time. Based on real characters whose memorial stones can be seen today. Five 15-minute programmes. £14.99

Art Activity Book: The perfect accompaniment to a topic on British history, this book offers photocopyable pupil activities based on line, pattern, shape and design, comparing the culture and lifestyles of the two societies. £6.95

Eureka! special: Flying through History – Pre-Roman and Roman Britain (Marks & Spencer/Channel 4 Television) £9.99. Ages 9–14
The aerial footage in this 30-minute video provides an overview of the changing UK landscape and architecture from Roman times. The programme offers a unique opportunity to visit key sites of the past, and reveals the vast wealth of evidence in the landscape.

Eureka! Maths from History(4Learning) £6.95. Ages 7–11
This pupils' book is a fascinating exploration of Roman mathematics and mathematicians, with stories, historical background, and photocopyable activities for children.

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