Book cover of The Tragedy of Empire: From Constantine to the Destruction of Roman Italy

Book description

A sweeping political history of the turbulent two centuries that led to the demise of the Roman Empire.

The Tragedy of Empire begins in the late fourth century with the reign of Julian, the last non-Christian Roman emperor, and takes readers to the final years of the Western Roman Empire…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Tragedy of Empire as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was not previously familiar with Michael Kulikowski’s work, but I now intend to read more of it.

Kulikowski meticulously examines the slow, tortured, and almost imperceptible—to the people who experienced it— disintegration of the Roman Empire during its last two centuries.

In this seamlessly woven narrative, he dismantles the age-old notion, which refuses to die, of a decisive “fall” of the Empire, and he traces the continuities and discontinuities — in both the Empire’s western and eastern halves — between the Empire and the world that succeeded it.

The period of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages often…

If you love The Tragedy of Empire...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like The Tragedy of Empire?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 98 books like The Tragedy of Empire.

Browse books like The Tragedy of Empire

Book cover of Daily Life in Ancient Rome: The People and the City at the Height of the Empire
Book cover of Nobilissima
Book cover of Age of Conquests: The Greek World from Alexander to Hadrian

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Tragedy of Empire, you might also like...

Book cover of Miami Beat

Miami Beat by Jorge E. Goyanes,

Jose Castillo is a cynical, wise-cracking Cuban-American who restores classic cars. He’s also a private eye whose sarcastic ways sometimes get him into trouble.

One day, in the process of installing a four-barrel carburetor on a 1965 Mustang, into his shop walks trouble—in the shape of a mysterious, beautiful woman…

Book cover of Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Album-by-Album, Song-by-Song

Bruce Songs by Kenneth Womack,

Bruce Songs is an authoritative guide that offers an in-depth exploration of Bruce Springsteen's musical legacy. Covering Springsteen's entire discography, from "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." to "Only the Strong Survive", this unique book combines historical context, literary analysis, and meticulous research.

Unlike any other resource, it provides detailed analyses…

5 book lists we think you will like!