Not directly about coins, but I think will interest many of you. This two volume atlas has recently been translated into English. It's a detailed history of the Roman city with a street map zooming in to provide floor plans of important buildings. It includes a lot of coin images and gives context to buildings depicted on coins. Online reviews have highlighted a number of proofing errors, but it's a phenomenal achievement, beautifully produced. The other book I want to recommend to everyone is 'The Fate of Rome' by Kyle Harper, recently published by Princeton. He emphasises disease and climate as factors in Rome's demise, but the book's great merit is in mediating those factors with the political response. He emphasises Rome's resiliance, bouncing back strongly from the crisis of the third century. One of the best books I've read on any subject! I've been reading a lot more ancient history since I started collecting, but I feel like I'm still catching up. Other recommendations would be appreciated.
I've wanted a Barrington Atlas of the Ancient World for years, but can never bring myself past the sticker shock to pull the trigger on one.
If you can find a copy, Toynbee's Atlas & Gazeteer is fun, too. It's Vol XI of his 'Study of History', a massive, bonkers exercise in the grandest of grand narratives. He traces the rise and fall of the most obscure ancient empires.
