Classic Films Set in the Ancient World

INTOLERANCE (1916)
BEN-HUR (both 1925 and 1959)
QUO VADIS? (1951)
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956)
SPARTACUS (1960)
KING OF KINGS (1961)
BARABBAS (1961)
CLEOPATRA (1963)
THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (1964)
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (1966)

Not exactly favorites, but not yet mentioned:
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS (1932)
I, CLAUDIUS (the unfinished 1937 film)
DAVID AND BATHSHEBA (1951)
HELEN OF TROY (1957)
THE WOODEN HORSE OF TROY (1961)

Faraon , Pharaoh (1966)

 Pharaoh is an extravagant mix of stunning visuals and set pieces that bring the ancient Egyptian world of sand, superstition & politics vividly to life , the Historical setting is, Ancient Egypt, 11th Century BC

Polish Director Jerzy Kawalerowicz  adapted his exceptional film from a late 19th century novel by the Polish writer Bolesław Prus.

When his father dies .Ramses XIII is proclaimed pharaoh. He is an idealistic ambitious young man who craves his own military command and the chance to wrest control of Egypt from the high priests.
To stop Egypt's rapid decline the young Ramses XIII decides to seize the great treasures which have been stored for generations within the temples,.
He plans to spend on social reforms and to wage war on Assyria. But the clergy opposes his plan and a political and religious struggle begins between the priests and the authority of the young pharaoh...

Brilliantly crafted the film masterfully recreates the ancient civilization,  complete with its authentic geographical setting, and harsh climate, in portraying the social stratification, politics, religion and warfare of the times.
Kawalerowicz particularly pays close attention to every detail, in the scenes of embalming and funerals, the court protocol, the waking and feeding of the gods, the religious beliefs, ceremonies and processions  

Film production took three years, one of the historical consultants on the film was Poland's Professor Kazimierz Michałowski, a world authority in Egyptology. another was Shady Abdel Salem, an Egyptian art historian who had also consulted on the 1963 filming of Cleopatra.

The actors themselves adopt throughout hieratic postures as seen in Egyptian paintings,  the costumes, adornments  and wigs are outstanding. 
Scenes were filmed at  Egyptian locales,.mass scenes were filmed in the  Kyzyl-Kum desert, in Uzbekistan, 
Eliminating bright colours  the film is expressively shot in a predominantly golden-yellowish register.  Highly Recommended

I can't recall now which version I saw some years back, but there are some very well-preserved copies of the 2-hour version viewable online. I was quite impressed with whichever one I did see: some remarkably polished and fluid camera work (although they may have gone overboard with their new dolly track, in rather the same way as current filmmakers overdo whiz-bang tools of the trade); crisp editing; astonishing full-scale practical effects. For all that, it retains a sense of immediacy that's almost gritty at times, and lends freshness uncommon in the era.       

I do know Solomon's book was revised late enough to include GLADIATOR.

Further recommendation is Derek Ellery's THE EPIC FILM: MYTH AND HISTORY.