Titus LiviusTitus Livius

59 BCE – 17 CE59 BCE – 17 CE

Titus Livius (Livy)Titus Livius (Livy)backgroundbackground

Born in Padua, Cisalpine Gaul, became Born in Padua, Cisalpine Gaul, became part of Italy by Iulius Caesar in 49 BCE; part of Italy by Iulius Caesar in 49 BCE; inhabitants received Roman citizenship; inhabitants received Roman citizenship; elite already Romanized for longer period elite already Romanized for longer period

Majority of Romans did not consider it Majority of Romans did not consider it ‘‘really Roman’really Roman’ but very provincial but very provincial

Provincial culture very conservative, closer Provincial culture very conservative, closer to earlier Italian culture; to earlier Italian culture;

Very fond of traditional Roman values; did Very fond of traditional Roman values; did not experience civil wars to same extent not experience civil wars to same extent as Italy and Romeas Italy and Rome

Titus LiviusTitus Livius

Have little information about his lifeHave little information about his life Well educated in Padua, in history, Well educated in Padua, in history,

oratory, philosophyoratory, philosophy Began to write before he came to RomeBegan to write before he came to Rome Moved to Rome at end of civil war, 29 BCE Moved to Rome at end of civil war, 29 BCE No public career we know ofNo public career we know of he may have revealed more about himself he may have revealed more about himself

in his history covering his own time – last in his history covering his own time – last 150 years of his history are lost150 years of his history are lost

Retired back to Padua where he diedRetired back to Padua where he died

Livy and AugustusLivy and Augustus Was the first historian of the Imperial Was the first historian of the Imperial

periodperiod Friend of Augustus, but not one of the Friend of Augustus, but not one of the

Augustan writers under patronage of Augustan writers under patronage of MaecenasMaecenas

Maecenas, client of Augustus and patron of Maecenas, client of Augustus and patron of artists, writers, poets.artists, writers, poets.

Maecenas was commissioned by Augustus Maecenas was commissioned by Augustus to find and support poets and writers to find and support poets and writers willing to promote the Augustan ideology; willing to promote the Augustan ideology; patron of poets like Horace, Virgilpatron of poets like Horace, Virgil

Livy’s workLivy’s work ab urbe condita.ab urbe condita. From the founding of Rome From the founding of Rome An enormous history in 142 books from the An enormous history in 142 books from the

legendary foundation of Rome to 9 BCE (c. 800 legendary foundation of Rome to 9 BCE (c. 800 modern pages); modern pages);

only 35 books survive; still constitute largest only 35 books survive; still constitute largest single work in Latin from pre-Christian periodsingle work in Latin from pre-Christian period

First full-time historianFirst full-time historian Livy’s history reflects moderate conservative Livy’s history reflects moderate conservative

political views and conservative moral view political views and conservative moral view that met approval of Augustusthat met approval of Augustus

Recitals of his history not well attendedRecitals of his history not well attended

periochaeperiochae

Brief ancient summaries survived for Brief ancient summaries survived for 140 books; 140 books;

Ab urbe conditaAb urbe condita: book 1 covers 240 : book 1 covers 240 years, book 2 120 years;years, book 2 120 years;

22 books, 121-142 on triumph and 22 books, 121-142 on triumph and reign of Augustus, was published at reign of Augustus, was published at his death in 14 CEhis death in 14 CE

Livy’s sourcesLivy’s sources Early books, no reliable sourcesEarly books, no reliable sources Used previous writers; some Used previous writers; some

archaeological evidence such as archaeological evidence such as monuments and statues around – tries to monuments and statues around – tries to link some legends to surviving monumentslink some legends to surviving monuments

After 390 BCE more sources availableAfter 390 BCE more sources available Relies on many Greek writers and Roman Relies on many Greek writers and Roman

annalists, annalists, As more sources available he is able to As more sources available he is able to

differentiate and argues in favour of one or differentiate and argues in favour of one or the other the other

Livy’s StyleLivy’s Style

Returned to annalistic formReturned to annalistic form Year-by-year structure which at times Year-by-year structure which at times

even divides military campaignseven divides military campaigns While entertaining, it avoids the While entertaining, it avoids the

fantasticfantastic Early history - traditional legends – Early history - traditional legends –

selected from several earlier versions. selected from several earlier versions. His version of the regal period only ¼ His version of the regal period only ¼ of length of that by Dionysius of of length of that by Dionysius of Halicarnassus (c. 70 – 7 BCE)Halicarnassus (c. 70 – 7 BCE)

PrefacePreface

Sets out his purpose Sets out his purpose Nature of book 1Nature of book 1 Links between past and presentLinks between past and present