The Greatest Roman Literature
This selection of ancient Roman literature encompasses all literary forms and genres of that time and place. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in Rome and around the world.
The Greatest Roman Literature focuses on Rome's major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, long poetry and collections. You may also be interested in The Greatest Italian Literature or The Greatest Greek Literature.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: July 10, 2025
The 22 greatest works of Roman literature
c.200 BCE
Miles Gloriosus
by Plautus, Rome
Play, also known as The Braggart Soldier
c.200 BCE
The Twin Brothers
by Plautus, Rome
Play, also known as The Brothers Menaechmus
161 BCE
Eunuchus
by Terence, Rome
Play
c.41–37 BCE
Eclogues
by Virgil, Rome
Poetry collection, also known as Bucolics
c.35–30 BCE
Satires
by Horace, Rome
Poetry collection
30–26 BCE
Marathus Cycle
by Tibullis, Rome
Poetry collection
29 BCE
Georgics
by Virgil, Rome
Poetry collection
c.29–16 BCE
Elegies
by Sextus Propertius, Rome
Poetry collection
c.29–19 BCE
Aeneid
by Virgil, Rome
Epic poem
23–13 BCE
Odes
by Horace, Rome
Poetry collection
19 BCE
The Art of Poetry
by Horace, Rome
Long poem
c.10 BCE
The Art of Love
Poem
c.8 CE
The Book of Days
Long poem, also known as On the Roman Calendar, orignally Fasti
Metamorphoses
Long poem
My first reaction to Ovid's Metamorphoses was mystification. This was one of the great books of Western culture. Ovid was said to be wickedly delightful to read compared to other ancients. And I was reading.... Critique • Quotes • Translations • Buy
c.55 CE
Thyestes
by Seneca, Rome
Play
c.60-70 CE
Satyricon
by Gaius Petronius Arbiter, Rome
Novel
61–65 CE
Pharsalia
by Lucan, Rome
Epic poem, also known as On the Civil War, originally De Bello Civili
c.79 CE
Argonautica
by Valerius Flaccus, Rome
Epic poem
c.86–103 CE
Epigrams
by Martial, Rome
Poetry collection
92 CE
Thebaid
by Statius, Rome
Epic poem
93–96 CE
Silvae
by Statius, Rome
Poetry collection
c.100–127 CE
Satires
by Juvenal, Rome
Poetry collection
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