HEllenistic history book club
It seems as though research on the ancient world never stops, with new books, comics, and articles appearing every year. Since finishing my PhD and moving away from full-time academia, I’ve missed the thrill of reading and discussing ancient history in depth. That’s why I created the Hellenistic History Book Club – a way to rediscover these stories together. Back in 2022, I first launched the Book Club as a way to explore new and familiar works on the ancient world. After a little break (life, teaching, and quite a few Poirot mysteries got in the way!), I’m excited to revive it and bring it back better than ever. This is a space for anyone who loves ancient history, whether you’re an experienced reader or just starting out.
How it works
At the start of every season, I select two books that we will read side by side. Each pair is chosen to contrast or complement one another – for example, one on the Hellenistic world and one on Rome. We read both at our own pace. By the end of the season, I share reviews of both books on the website and Substack. We then compare and discuss them together in the comments and Substack Chat. Read along at your own pace – no pressure to finish either book. Join the discussion: share your thoughts on one or both books.Suggest future pairings directly in Substack or through my Amazon Wishlist.
👉 Books don’t have to be strictly Hellenistic – anything connected to ancient history is welcome, and the fun comes from putting them in dialogue with each other.
📖current reads – Autumn 2025
This season we’re reading two books side by side – one exploring the Hellenistic Greek world after Alexander, the other uncovering the rise of Rome. Together, they offer a chance to compare two great civilizations as they evolved, overlapped, and sometimes collided.
Age of Conquests: The Greek World from Alexander to Hadrian – Angelos Chaniotis
This sweeping history traces the transformation of the Greek world from the time of Alexander the Great to the height of Roman power. Chaniotis blends political history with religion, art, inscriptions, and daily life, showing how Greeks adapted and thrived in a world dominated first by kings and then by emperors.
Why it’s interesting: A panoramic look at how Greek culture survived and transformed under changing rulers.
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome – Mary Beard
Mary Beard’s SPQR is a witty, sharp, and highly readable introduction to Rome’s rise from a small village to an imperial power. Covering centuries of Roman history, Beard pays special attention to the lives of ordinary people, showing how politics, law, and society shaped Rome far beyond its famous emperors and generals.
Why it matters: A fresh perspective on Rome’s expansion and what it meant for citizens and subjects alike.
Past Reads & Reviews
The Making of a King: Antigonus Gonatas of Macedon and the Greeks by Robin Waterfield
First published in 2021 by the University of Chicago Press. This book tells the story of the rule and life of the Macedonian king Antigonos Gonatas. Yet it is unfair, however, to call this book a simple biography as the author manages to use this Macedonian king as a thread to weave a clearer picture of the Greek (and Hellenistic) World in which he lived. The book is thus, cleverly divided into two parts: the first five chapters deal with the wider world of the third century – a period for which we do not possess a continuous narrative – and introduce us to some of the players that Antigonos will have to deal with: the Ptolemaic Kingdom, the Greek federal states, Athens and Sparta to name a few. The last five chapters then delve into Antigonos and his actions! This book, the last part of an unintended trilogy of the Hellenistic world, is an interesting and well-written addition to existing works on the subject, if you are new to the topic or already have more experience with the Antigonid dynasty!
Get a copy here: University of Chicago Press – Amazon –Bookdepository
Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors by Adrian Goldsworthy
First published in 2020 by Basic Books.
The book combines the story of Philip II of Macedon’s ascent to power with that of his extra-ordinary and revered son Alexander III the Great! The author provides an in depth overview of the accomplishments of Philip and Alexander and is especially strong at putting us at the heart of many of the battles these men and their soldiers fought to consolidate those plans. The fact that this book combines the lives of Philip and Alexander, and therefore acknowledging the strong connections their lives had with one another and what they owed to one another, is a very welcome addition to the plethora of works dealing with the lives of Alexander and – to a lesser extent – Philip II. The first part of the book, which describes the rise and fall of Philip II, was an extremely interesting read, but the parts about Alexander and his many conquests, were at times difficult to get through for someone who is not all that interested in warfare, even though they were very thoroughly researched and explained. I really enjoyed reading this book, which gives a very comprehensive picture of Alexander and Philip and can highly recommend that you give it a read! Even if at times the many different explanations offered by the author make it difficult to sympathize with Alexander because there are simply too many options or theories to consider.
Get your copy here: Amazon – Bookdepository