The Early History of Rome: Books I-V of the History of Rome from Its Foundation

by Livy

Book Overview

'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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140448098
• ISBN13: 9780140448092
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

an immortal classic in superb translation

The book itself is, of course, an immortal classic; I can read it reasonably well in the original Latin, myself (being Italian and having received a good classical education before college), but I've long been searching for a suitable English edition to recommend to my American family and friends -- and with this one, I've finally found it! It reads as smoothly as one could hope and loses nothing of the original's flavour. A practical counterexample to the traditional quip about translations being like women -- either beautiful, or faithful -- this book (like my wife!-) is both at the same time!-)

most intreging

Yes I am only 14 years old but listen to what I have to say.I am in 8th grade,and have always found the roman empire fasinating.So one day I asked my teacher how the roman empire started.Of corse I know the mith,Romulus and Remus were rased by wolfs and sarted rome on the 7th hill.But I wanted to know the truth.So my teacher gave me the book The Rise of Rome.It anserd all of my questions and I gained new knowledge and a better under standing of the roman empire.I was reading a review hear at amason and it said the book was awful because it had inadequet translations,like useing new age frases insted of old world words.Well DUHHHHHH!!!!! This is the new world.That is not a good enogh reason of why not to read the book.It dosnt matter how the book is transilated,as long as the meaning and story is the same.So for all of you who are intrested in the roman empire I highly recomend this book.

Roman historians at their best

In the past there has been a scholarly tendency to criticize Livy and prefer other sources over him. Of late however more and more historians are realizing the true value of his work. He gives a useful view of Roman history as well as a good view of Roman mores in the Augustan period. Livy remains a valuable tool for teaching Roman history as he is interesting as well as informative. Along with Polybius and Tacitus one of the must read ancient historians.

Classic of Roman National Mythology

Professor Luce has done an admirable service to students of ancient history with his new translation of Livy. In addition to the able and idiomatic translation, the volume possesses very helpful but not overly cumbersome explanatory notes. Students in my introductory ancient history course appreciated both the lively content of Rome's founding mythology and the quality of the edition.