The History Of Rome

by Livy

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: History

214 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2019

About the author

Titus Livius (Patavinus) (64 or 59 BC – AD 17)—known as Livy in English, and Tite-Live in French—was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people – Ab Urbe Condita Libri (Books from the Foundation of the City) – covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome before the traditional foundation in 753 BC through the reign of Augustus in Livy's own time. He was on familiar terms with the Julio-Claudian dynasty, advising Augustus's grandnephew, the future emperor Claudius, as a young man not long before 14 AD in a letter to take up the writing of history. Livy and Augustus's wife, Livia, were from the same clan in different locations, although not related by blood.

Reviews

[Marc Lamot]

Actually a very boring story, especially in the second half: a pure sequence of wars and battles, organized as annales (Consulate years). Only the first decade is really enjoyable and afterwards some elaborate stories of heroics or confrontations between patricians and plebeians.

As a historian Livius sometimes gives the impression that he is very critical of his sources, but in reality he just displays different versions, with the occasional comment. There's a role even for the gods, albeit mostly indirectly. Typical is his moralizing slant with appreciation for straightforward heroes and former morals "when they were still respected". In the conflict between patricians and plebeians he designates the latter invariably as rioters, but between the lines, he gives the impression he understands their requirements.

As a whole you get the impression that the Romans were a real soldiers people: war governed the whole public life. The theme of freedom comes popping up regularly, but is secondary.

[woodshadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outside of INSOLT this is probably the longest work I've ever read. Unfortunately it is written in a very dry and meandering style, so much so that the journey to reach the various meaty parts often feels so exhausting that one fails to fully appreciate the better parts once arrived at. I can't say I would recommend this book to any but the most devoutly curious of Roman History and the time period in general. Many many many pages are filled with 'supernatural events' and their interpretation, as well as long lists of repetitive names declaring who is to be consul this year or who is to be assigned which provinces or how many troops (rarely with much followup on what they did with these troops or during their term). This is unfortunate and could be a result of being events having taken place at such a distant time and records being so fragmentary and tinged by popular prejudices or the necessities of political influence. I read it and I'm happy to be finished it.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoo-hoo! This was my yearlong read, and I finished before the year was over. I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did, esp since so much of it was about the wars. There were parts that were boring, but most of it kept my attention well. I was disappointed that the end consisted of so many lost books, as that was the time period I was most interested in when I started the book.