Product Description

Livy (c. 59 BC–AD 17) 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 of history, from the founding of Rome (traditionally dated to 757 BC) to the Gallic invasion in 386 BC – an era which witnessed the reign of seven kings, the establishment of the Republic, civil strife 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 Rome should learn from its history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40832 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Book Information
Livy's historical imagination enabled him to bring alive the great characters and scenes of Rome's past.

Most of Livy's (c. 59 BC–AD 17) life was devoted to writing his monumental History of Rome which comprised 142 books. It brought him great fame, and legend has it that a man came all the way from Cadiz just to look at him. The Early History of Rome contains the first five books and proceeds from the foundation of Rome through the history of the seven kings, the establishment of the Republic and its internal struggles, up to Rome's recovery after the fierce Gallic invasion of the fourth century BC. Here readers will encounter the famous story of Romulus and Remus among a number of other familiar legends and tales.

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About the Author
Titus Livius (59BC-AD17) began working on his History of Rome at the age of 30 and continued for over 40 years until his death. The history ran to 142 books, of which 35 survive. Aubrey de Sélincourt (1896-1962) translated Livy, Heroditus, and Arrian for Penguin Classics. Robert Ogilvie (1932-1981) taught classics and published widely on Roman writers, religion, and history.

Customer Reviews

Mythic re-telling of the foundation of Rome
Other reviewers have dismissed this because of the 'inaccuracy' of the history, but the very idea of history in classical times was different from our definition: there was no strict divide between literature, history and (moral) philosophy and so we shouldn't judge ancient works by the same criteria that we might use of modern history books. Livy, writing under Augustus, was, like his contemporary Vergil, mythologising about the foundation of Rome, and his story of where the Romans came from and how the Roman character was formed, tells us more about Roman self-identity (or the way they wanted to see themselves) at the turning point between the Republic and the principate than about the past.

Having said that, Livy tells a fabulous story! My Latin's unfortunately not good enough to be able to judge the accuracy of the translation, but the content is amazing: from the early kings to their expulsion by the first Marcus Brutus and the beginning of the Republic, from Rome's small beginnings to her conquests and domination of Italy, it's all here. All the familiar stories of Romulus and Remus mothered by the wolf, Horatius at the bridge, the rape and suicide of Lavinia, the tragic story of Corialanus and his mother are here, and it's fascinating to read them in their original context.

Livy is lively, tragic, vivid and witty and that all comes over in the translation. Read this together with Vergil and compare their creative conception of what it means to be Roman, where they have come from and where they are going.

An Ancient Page-Turner!
If you are faintly interested in Roman History, then you should really read this book. It may be over two thousand years old, but it is certainly still alive and kicking! It is chock full of fascinating characters, such as the central, one-eyed battle-hardened Hannibal himself but also all of the Romans who face him - the reckless Minucius, the headstrong Varro and the steadfast and all-knowing Quintus Fabias Maximus. The battle scenes are fascinating and often very exciting, whilst the story of the panic in Rome, including amongst the common Romans as well as the frenzied debates of the Senate, is no less absorbing. Livy also provides us with many fascinating snapshots of Roman religious beliefs and customs along with his military commentaries that to read it is to be transported back to Ancient Rome. The book may be a bit fat and dry sounding, but open it up and you will be pleasantly surprised. Enthralling and totally compelling.

Irritatingly imprecise
Whatever its other merits, the Selincourt translation is not good from the standpoint of accuracy. Imagine my fury when, having spent part of my dwindling student's allowance on this book, I discovered it was of little or no use in helping me to read closely through the original text. I think 'paraphrase' might have been a better description than 'translation'. Steer clear, those of you looking for anything remotely resembling the Latin.