The Roman Historian - Livy
Titus
Livius best known to us as Livy was a Roman historian. He was born in
either 64 or 59 BC at the prosperous city of Patavium (now Padua)
which was located in the province of Cisalpine Gaul but later was
absorbed into Italy. Whilst Livy was still young, Julius Caesar was
Governor and gave Roman citizenship to its inhabitants.
The Early
History of Rome
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'I hope my
passion for Rome's past has not impaired my judgement; for I do
honestly believe that no country has ever been greater or purer than
ours or richer in good citizens and noble deeds'
Livy
dedicated most of his life to writing some 142 volumes of history,
the first five of which comprise The Early History of Rome. With
stylistic brilliance, he chronicles nearly 400 years from the
founding of Rome to the Gallic invasion in 386 BC, an era that
witnessed the establishment of the Republic, unrest and brutal
conflict. Bringing compelling characters to life, and re-presenting
familiar tales - including the tragedy of Coriolanus and the story of
Romulus and Remus - The Early History is a truly epic work, and a
passionate warning that a nation should learn from its history.Its
possible that the boy Livy may of heard stories about the wars in
Gaul. Livy studied rhetoric and philosophy growing up and there is
no accounts on his early career. Livy never got accustomed to
military matters and his writings show this but it did not stop him
becoming a distinguished historian. At the age of 10, Caesar and
Pompey the Great were having a civil war and the outcome would be
decided in 48BC at the battle of Pharsalus.
After the
assassination of Caesar a new round of civil wars followed. In
44/43BC, Livy may of observed some of this fighting. Octavian,
Caesar's adopted son was victorious after the battle of Actium in
31BC and he would bring peace and stability to Italy.
Rome's
Mediterranean Empire
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These words from one of
Rome's opponents encapsulate the authority Rome achieved by its
subjugation of the Mediterranean. The Third Macedonian War, recounted
in this volume, ended the kingdom created by Philip II and Alexander
the Great and was a crucial step in Rome's eventual dominance. For
Livy, the story is also a fascinating moral study of the vices and
virtues that hampered and promoted Rome's efforts in the conflict. He
presents the war not so much as a battle against Perseus, Alexander's
last and unworthy successor, than as a struggle within the Roman
national character. Only traditional moral strength, embodied in
Lucius Aemilius Paullus, the general who ultimately defeats Perseus,
ensures the Roman victory.
Livy moved
to Rome around 29BC or earlier as he started writing the History of
Rome, so one would assume he had moved there before he started
writing this. Augustus took an interest in Livy and he also helped
educate the future emperor Claudius. Livy never mentions the poets
Horace, Virgil, and Ovid of the literary world of Rome so one assumes
he was not closely (if at all) involved with them. Livy published the
first five books of his History of Rome from its foundation
between 27 and 25BC whilst in his early thirties. This most famous
work narrates a complete history of the city of Rome, from its
foundation to the death of Augustus. It has embellished accounts of
Roman heroism and emphasizes the great triumphs of Rome. All this to
flatter the Emperor Augustus and his new style of government.
We know
very little of Livy's private life but he was married and he had two
children, a son and a daughter who was married to a teacher of
oratory named Lucius Magius. Livy did not belong to the inner circle
of Augustus, Rome's first emperor, but he and the emperor respected
each other. Livy encourage the young prince Claudius to write history
and this included his histories of Rome, Carthage and the Etruscans.
Livy The
War with Hannibal
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In The War
with Hannibal, Livy (59 BC-AD 17) chronicles the events of the Second
Punic War between Rome and Carthage, until the Battle of Zama in 202
BC. He vividly recreates the immense armies of Hannibal, complete
with elephants, crossing the Alps; the panic as they approached the
gates of Rome; and the decimation of the Roman army at the Battle of
Lake Trasimene. Yet it is also the clash of personalities that
fascinates Livy, from great debates in the Senate to the historic
meeting between Scipio and Hannibal before the decisive battle. Livy
never hesitates to introduce both intense drama and moral lessons
into his work, and here he brings a turbulent episode in history
powerfully to life.
Livy
became a well known person, but lacked the popularity of Ovid, Horace
and Virgil. Livy died in 17AD in his home city of Patavium.
The History of Rome
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In addition to Valerie
Warrior's crisp, fluent translation of the first five books of Livy's
Ab Urbe Condita, this edition features a general introduction
to Livy and his work, extensive foot-of-the-page notes offering
essential contextual information, and a chronology of events. Three
appendices--on the genealogies of the most prominent political
figures in the early Republic, Livy's relationship with Augustus, and
Livy's treatment of religion--offer additional insight into the
author and the early history of Rome.
Links
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Roman History Website http://romanancienthistory.blogspot.com/
Copyright
© 2020 David Lee