Ferdinand Addis
Historian · Author · Editorial Consultant
Books
Conquest
A history of Roman Britain, from the Ice Age to the present day — forthcoming July 2026
A sweeping history of the Roman conquest of Britain, as it unfolded over centuries of struggle and seduction. Britain was Rome's wildest frontier, and was never truly conquered. Even today, the significance of the Roman conquest is contested. Was it the beginning of civilisation, or a pattern for imperialism?
Rome: Eternal City
Published 2020 — Head of Zeus
A history of Rome, told over 22 distinct chapters, from Romulus to Fellini. These are the moments of high and low drama when ordinary mortals have dared to tread the world's grandest and most implacable stage: the Eternal City
‘Vivid, pacey… superb’ — The Times on Rome
About
I've been teasing away at the story of Rome since I was a boy, reading Livy on the beach and drawing little maps in the sand of Caere and Veii and Alba Longa. Rosemary Sutcliffe introduced me to the rain-swept romance of Roman Britain, and its half remembered hills.
As a writer, I'm drawn to the grand scale, and to the scale of the individual human, and, above all, to the appalling tension between one and the other. My conviction is that we all share a great burden, which is to live in history. My own human-scale life, when I'm out of my books, takes place very happily, however, in North London with my wife and two daughters. I have occasionally contributed to the gaiety of the nations by attempting to rock climb, though any amusement I may have caused will go only a very little way towards repairing the damage from my attempts to play the violin.
Work with me
Editorial consultancy
I work with a small number of clients on manuscripts, proposals, and long-form writing. History, narrative non-fiction, and historical fiction in particular.
Speaking
Available for lectures, festivals etc. Will speak very happily on Roman history, ancient Britain, classical civilisation, and related subjects.
Contact
For editorial, speaking, and press enquiries, please use the contact form below.