Conn Iggulden is a British novelist best known for sweeping historical fiction, especially the Emperor and Conqueror series. His books blend strong research with brisk storytelling, bringing famous leaders, brutal campaigns, and pivotal turning points vividly to life.
If you enjoy Conn Iggulden’s mix of action, ambition, and immersive history, these authors are well worth exploring next:
Bernard Cornwell is a master of historical fiction driven by momentum, conflict, and razor-sharp detail. He excels at placing memorable fictional characters in the middle of real wars and political upheaval, making the past feel immediate and intensely human.
Readers who love Conn Iggulden’s battle scenes and larger-than-life historical settings should try Cornwell's The Last Kingdom, the gripping opening novel in the Saxon Stories series.
The story follows Uhtred, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman raised by Vikings, as he is torn between competing loyalties during the violent clash between the Saxons and the invading Danes.
Simon Scarrow is known for energetic historical novels rooted in the world of the Roman army. His books combine solid historical grounding with accessible, fast-moving storytelling and characters who feel both capable and believable.
If you enjoy Conn Iggulden’s ability to pair action with strong character dynamics, Scarrow's Under the Eagle, the first book in the Eagle series, is an excellent place to begin. It follows Roman soldiers Macro and Cato as they face the dangers of army life during Emperor Claudius's invasion of Britain.
Ben Kane brings together deep historical research and muscular, action-focused storytelling. His novels capture the brutality of the ancient world without losing sight of the people caught inside it.
Readers drawn to Iggulden's grounded combat and strong character arcs will likely enjoy Kane’s The Forgotten Legion.
In this novel, three very different people are pulled toward one of Rome's doomed legions, creating a powerful story of endurance, loyalty, and survival against overwhelming odds.
Harry Sidebottom writes gripping fiction set in the Roman Empire, with a particular gift for atmosphere and historical authenticity. His novels balance military tension, political danger, and scholarly depth in a way that feels both exciting and convincing.
A strong starting point is Fire in the East, part of his Warrior of Rome series. It follows Ballista, a soldier-scholar charged with defending the empire’s eastern frontier against threats from both outside enemies and internal rivals.
Anthony Riches writes gritty, fast-moving historical fiction centered on Roman military life. His novels stand out for sharp dialogue, vivid settings, and a strong sense of danger running through every campaign and political encounter.
Fans of Conn Iggulden who appreciate authentic detail and relentless pacing may want to start with Riches' Wounds of Honour, the first book in the Empire series.
The novel follows Marcus Valerius Aquila, a Roman officer forced to confront threats from enemies within his own ranks as well as dangers beyond the legion’s borders.
Christian Cameron writes vivid historical fiction rich in action, battlefield strategy, and period detail. His work often focuses on ancient Greece and explores warfare from the perspective of men living through it rather than merely observing it.
A great choice is Killer of Men, which follows Arimnestos, a Greek warrior swept into the Persian Wars. Readers who enjoy Conn Iggulden's energetic storytelling and strong historical foundations should find a lot to admire in Cameron’s work.
Robert Fabbri specializes in historical adventure shaped by Roman politics, military campaigns, and power struggles. His novel Tribune of Rome introduces the rise of the future emperor Vespasian with plenty of intrigue and momentum.
Like Conn Iggulden, Fabbri blends fact and invention into propulsive stories full of ambition, conflict, and shifting loyalties, making him a natural choice for readers who want immersive historical drama.
Steven Saylor combines carefully rendered Roman history with mystery and suspense. His fiction offers a slightly different reading experience from Iggulden’s military epics, but the same appreciation for a fully realized ancient world.
His novel Roman Blood begins the adventures of Gordianus the Finder, a sharp-minded Roman investigator navigating a city full of danger, corruption, and secrets.
If you enjoy historical depth alongside clever plotting, Saylor is an excellent author to add to your list.
Valerio Massimo Manfredi writes historical novels that combine drama, adventure, and a strong sense of place. His stories are especially effective at evoking the landscapes, cultures, and larger-than-life personalities of the ancient world.
His novel Alexander: Child of a Dream explores the early life of Alexander the Great, focusing on his ambitions, his formation, and the people who shaped his destiny.
Readers who enjoy Conn Iggulden’s portrayals of iconic figures and sweeping historical scope will likely find Manfredi especially appealing.
Ken Follett writes expansive historical novels known for strong characterization, intricate plotting, and meticulous background detail. While his books often cover different eras from Iggulden’s, they deliver the same sense of being thoroughly immersed in another time.
His celebrated novel The Pillars of the Earth is a sweeping story of medieval England centered on the building of a cathedral and the lives transformed by it.
Follett’s gift for turning historical change into gripping personal drama makes him a rewarding choice for readers who enjoy big, emotionally involving stories.
Edward Rutherfurd is known for large-scale historical novels that span generations and vividly recreate entire eras. His books trace the long movement of history through families, places, and societies rather than a single central hero.
Sarum, one of his best-known works, brings thousands of years of English history to life through interconnected families living in and around Salisbury.
Giles Kristian writes historical fiction filled with intensity, atmosphere, and strong emotional stakes. His novels often emphasize brotherhood, courage, and loyalty, especially in violent and uncertain times.
His novel Blood Eye, the first book in the Raven series, plunges readers into a raw and memorable vision of Viking warfare and culture.
Robyn Young blends careful historical research with confident storytelling and compelling characters. Her novels frequently unfold against backdrops of war, religious conflict, and political tension, giving them both scale and suspense.
In her acclaimed novel Brethren, Young explores the turbulent era of the Crusades through the experiences of a young Templar knight.
Angus Donald offers a darker, grittier take on familiar historical legends. His writing is fast-paced and vivid, with a talent for making medieval settings feel dangerous, unpredictable, and alive.
In Outlaw, he reimagines the Robin Hood legend in a way that feels tough, grounded, and steeped in the harsh realities of medieval England.
David Gemmell is best known for fantasy, but his work often carries the weight, heroism, and martial spirit that appeal to historical fiction readers. His stories are driven by honor, sacrifice, courage, and redemption.
A standout example is Legend, in which an aging warrior joins a desperate defense against overwhelming odds in a tale packed with battle, grit, and larger-than-life heroics.
