‘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 or noble deeds’

In Livy’s (c.59BC – AD17) epic history of Rome he unashamedly praised his country’s virtues and urged against its excesses, in order to keep it great. He 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 and historical imagination Livy brings alive the great characters and scenes from Rome’s past, beginning with the foundation of Rome, through the history of the seven kings, the establishment of the Republic and its internal struggles, up to recovery after the Gallic invasion of the fourth century BC. He also vividly re-presents familiar legends and tales, including the story of Romulus and Remus.

• Contains Robert Ogilvie’s introduction of 1971, a new preface examining the text in the light of recent Livy scholarship, detailed index, full bibliography and maps. •