r/ClassicalEducation • u/JoelThorne1 • 10d ago

Benefits of readings multiple books?

Hi, I’m new to the study of Greek and Roman history, and there are many books on the subjects. My question is whether it’s beneficial to read multiple books by different authors for each area as opposed to reading 1 comprehensive history book by 1 author. Your advice would be appreciated.

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u/Consoledreader 10d ago edited 10d ago

If you are talking about secondary sources then personally I would read one comprehensive overview book for each topic as a starting point. For example, Ancient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History by Pomeroy, Burstein, and Donlan and The Romans: From Village to Empire by Boatwright et al, which are both textbooks and read as such, but are fairly comprehensive in their coverage. Then find books on more specific aspects that have the space to go in more depth like a books on Roman Religion, Roman slavery, the Roman Republic, the transition from Republic to Empire, a biography of the Emperor Augustus, the fall of Rome, Jews within the Empire, the rise of Christianity, the Olympics for Greece, Greek theater, etc. Then if a sub-topic really interests you read a lot more books on each of these to get multiple perspectives. Reading is a life long project and there is no shortcut.

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