Books VI-X of Livy''s monumental work trace Rome''s fortunes
from its near collapse after defeat by the Gauls in 386 bc to its
emergence, in a matter of decades, as the premier power in Italy,
having conquered the city-state of Samnium in 293 bc. In this
fascinating history, events are described not simply in terms of
partisan politics, but through colorful portraits that bring the
strengths, weaknesses and motives of leading figures such as the
noble statesman Camillus and the corrupt Manlius vividly to life.
While Rome''s greatest chronicler intended his history to be a
memorial to former glory, he also had more didactic aims - hoping
that readers of his account could learn from the past ills and
virtues of the city.
關於作者:
Titus Livy was bron in 59BC at Padua but later moved to Rome.
He lived in an eventful age but little is known about his life. He
worked on his History of Rome for over forty years. Betty Radice
became joint editor of Penguin Classics in 1964. She has edited and
introduced a huge range of works in the Penguin Classics, including
Pliny and Dante. She died in 1985. Robert Maxwell Ogilvie was
Professor of Humanity at the University of St Andrews from 1975
until his death in 1981. He was the author of many books on Roman
religion.