This study traces how English historical fiction has used ancient Rome, beginning with a clear definition of the field and criteria for a genuinely historical novel. It surveys the genre's genesis and development, identifying influences such as Gothic tales, Byronic romance, German scholarship, and French models. The work classifies strands of the tradition—scholarly, pedagogic, popular, aesthetic, and religious propaganda—critiques superficial or melodramatic treatments, and examines preferred Roman periods as settings. It concludes with a critical list of noteworthy novels and a comprehensive bibliography to guide further study.