I want to read some books about ancient history...?

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Here is an interesting work of Fiction you might enjoy reading on the subject: The Tell by Michener.
Most of James Michener's books are fictionalized accounts of the beginning of time in different locations....Show more

I would be inclined to start with Rome or Greece, as they are both hugely interesting periods, have a ton of literature available, and are perfect 'base' periods from which to go backward or forward in time, IE: they serve as a context for understanding other periods.

To be specific, I would begin with Homer's two epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. You could read these in conjunction with 'Greek Myths' by Robert Graves, as it provides a compelling series of short stories, and will help you understand the capricious Greek Pantheon, which became the Roman Pantheon. This will serve as a 'companion' to Homer, which has the bonus of telling two of the best tales of antiquity, the fascinating Trojan war, and it's 'sequel': The impossibly clever story of Odyseuss' (AKA: Ulysses) return home from the war, containing some of the most famous characters in the history of storytelling.

After these, you will be ready for the Aeneid by Virgil, which neatly ties the Greek and Roman periods. It is the story of Aeneas, one of the Trojan generals, and his post war flight to the Italian peninsula, where he effectively founded Rome.

From here, you can link backwards to Phoenicia, the Etruscans, The Minoans, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Mesopotamia, and right back to the Dawn of Civilization. You can also go forward through the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire which takes you right through European history to around 7-800 AD, and includes the Goths, Vandals, Charlemagne, and dozens more amazing periods. The story of the two Romes and The Holy Roman Empire will even bring you out at the Renaissance, as well as The Inquisition, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Michelangelo, and Leonardo. From the Elizabethan era its a mere hop to the already burgeoning 'New World', which can drop you off right at your front door I.E: the Twentieth century

As you take this chronological journey, don't forget to pick up the incredibly fascinating story of Scotland when you get to about 1100. This tiny nation has a history as rich as any on earth, and you should take Nigel Tranter as your guide.

The point being that a strictly linear journey from the Stone Age to the Atomic age, will be a never-ending one and might get dull. By starting in the 'middle', you can jump back and forth as the whim takes you, but always with a wonderful understanding of the reasons for later events, and the outcomes of the earlier ones. And while the standard texts will serve you well (such as Gibbons for the Roman Empire), don't dismiss the value of the historical novel, as they will make the incredible journey on which you are about to embark that much more entertaining....Show more

Mesopotamia is as good a place as any to start if that is what interests you (that's the important bit).

If you are looking for other areas, then many of the cultures around the Mediterranean have plenty of books available (eg. Greek, Egyptian, Roman, Phoenician, Minoan, etc)....Show more

It depends on what part of world history you are interested in. Here's a great website with all areas of the world http://www.ancientworldhistory.com/ -- Egypt, Maya, Rome, Aztec, Greece, Galls, Persia, Karphagen, Babylon, China, India, Japan, Celts, and Slavic Tribes. Maybe starting with the earliest civilizations would be a good start. Enjoy!...Show more

For a good resource on history, you can find Will Durant's HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION, a multi volume set in any library.

It is concise, well written, and very explanatory - and incredibly funny in some places....Show more