Chronicle of the Roman Republic

The Roman empire tends to get all the attention, though usually the mad Emperors like Nero and Caligula hog all the attention which in the end makes it a bit tedious (just as English history can become too obsessed with the likes of Henry 8.0). However, i've always found the Roman republic more interesting. Of course, there were plenty of mad rulers here too though they were politicians and tyrants not quasi-kings.

This is an excellent book by Philip Matyszak which tells the story of the republic from the time the last kings of Rome were overthrown to the time Julius Caesar and Augustus ushered in a new age. The story of the republic is presented in a very approachable manner with excellent illustrations throughout.

It might not have mad emperors but there are plenty of big personalities here too such as Sulla, the Gracchis and Cicero. Oh Cicero, if i had had a son i would have named him after Cicero. Luckily for both of them this probably will never happen.