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The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08

Chapter 8: PREFACE.
By Livy
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A sweeping account of Rome's formative centuries moves from mythic origins and early regal rule to the emergence of republican institutions, narrating foundation legends, succession of rulers, and pivotal conflicts that shape civic life. The work blends chronological reporting with moral reflection, outlining the creation of religious rites, legal and social structures, and military customs while tracing episodes of internal strife and external warfare. Through exemplary narratives, institutional descriptions, and periodic speeches, it shows how ritual, law, and collective memory were used to construct political authority and communal identity, and it repeatedly contrasts civic virtues with signs of moral decline.

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Title: The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08

Author: Livy

Translator: D. Spillan

Release date: November 6, 2006 [eBook #19725]
Most recently updated: December 2, 2018

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Ted Garvin, Taavi Kalju and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF ROME, BOOKS 01 TO 08 ***

THE

HISTORY OF ROME.

BY

TITUS LIVIUS.


THE FIRST EIGHT BOOKS.

LITERALLY TRANSLATED, WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS,

BY

D. SPILLAN, A.M. M.D.


LONDON:

HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
MDCCCLIII.


JOHN CHILDS AND SON, BUNGAY



PREFACE.

In this new English version of the most elegant of the Roman historians, the object of the translator has been, to adhere as closely to the original text as is consistent with the idioms of the respective languages. But while thus providing more especially for the wants of the classical student, he has not been unmindful of the neatness and perspicuity required to satisfy the English reader.

There have been several previous translations of our author, but the only one now before the public, or deserving of particular mention, is that by Baker, which is undoubtedly a very able performance, and had it been more faithful, would have rendered any other unnecessary.

The edition used for the present translation is that published at Oxford under the superintendence of Travers Twiss, whose carefully revised text is by far the best extant. The few notes and illustrations which the limits of an edition in this popular form permit, are chiefly confined to the explanation of grammatical difficulties. Historical and antiquarian illustration is now so abundantly supplied by excellent Manuals and Dictionaries, that it has been deemed unnecessary to swell the present volumes by additions in that department.

Among the manuals of Roman History which may most advantageously be used by the student, is Twiss's Epitome of Niebuhr, 2 vols. 8vo, a work frequently referred to in these pages.


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