Historical fiction recommendations

whatever

For my World History class, I need to read one historical fiction novel per quarter relating to whatever is being covered in the class. For the first quarter, I need a book addressing any one of the following topics:

the early cultural development of humans
spread of agriculture in Mesopotamia
early civilizations of Egypt and the Indus Valley
emergence of civilization in China, southwest Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin
ancient Greece
ancient Rome
ancient African civilizations
ancient Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations

I'm sure one of you guys can recommend a great book in one of these topics. For reference as far as the style of prose I'm looking for, my favorite writers right now are Pynchon, David Foster Wallace, Burroughs, and Camus.

Luke Burrage

This is pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Fire-Novel-Battle-Thermopylae/dp/055338368X/

whatever

That sounds pretty interesting from the summary. What sort of style is it written in?

Luke Burrage

Instead of explaining, I'll give you tip. In the "Inside this book" section on most amazon.com pages is a link that lets you read the first few pages of the book.

whatever

This is good, thanks. Still open to more suggestions.

Geo

Absolutely fascinating historical fiction novel (with additional sci-fi elements) entitled Jamestown: A Novel by Matthew Sharpe

whatever

That one doesn't exactly fit into any of the themes I outlined in the first post.

Rym

the early cultural development of humans
spread of agriculture in Mesopotamia

Snow Crash.

ancient Rome

The First Man in Rome

Sail

the early cultural development of humans
spread of agriculture in Mesopotamia

Snow Crash.

Nice try, but definitely not historical fiction.

TheWhaleShark

ancient Greece

300. Graphic novels count, right?

HungryJoe

the early cultural development of humans

Would it be too hackneyed to say Clan of the Cave Bear series and Quest for Fire?

ancient Greece

300. Graphic novels count, right?

If graphic novels count, read Asterix for your Roman requirement.

Do plays count? Read Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.

Koholint

ancient Greece

I just started Latro in the Mist by Gene Wolfe a few days ago. It had some fantasy elements, but I think it still counts.

Alan

Here is a listing of books that might help you.

The Orb Net Fiction

whatever

Thanks for all the recommendations. I would up getting Memoirs of Hadrian, though, based on another forum's recommendation.