Hannibal (Carthage Trilogy 1)
I found this one to be a bit of a downer, not just because Hannibal inevitably loses against the Romans (it would have to be an alternate history for him not to), but it's a bit heavy on the gore. On the other hand, there is a real sense of being there, and then, it made me very glad to be born in a time when impaling and crucifixion are stories, not punishments the state deals out.
