'People have it in their minds that he
would have been a match for Alexander, had Alexander
turned his arms on Europe.'
So Livy
characterizes Papirius Cursor, one of Rome's famous
generals in the fourth century BC. In Books 6 to 10 of
his monumental history of Rome, Livy deals with the
period in which Rome recovered from its Gallic disaster
to impose mastery over almost the entire Italian
peninsula in a series of ever greater wars. Along with
Papirius, Livy paints vivid portraits of other notable
figures, such as Camillus, who rescued the city from its
Gallic captors in 390, young Manlius Torquatus, victor
in a David-versus-Goliath duel with a Gallic chieftain,
and Appius Claudius who built Rome's first major
highway, the Appian Way. Livy's blend of factual
narrative and imaginative recreation brings to life a
critical era for the rise of Rome, and Books 6 to 10 of
his work are the one complete account we have, as the
city passes from myth and legend into the increasing
light of reliable history.
John Yardley's fluent
translation is accompanied by an introduction and notes
that set Livy in the context of Roman historiography.
The complete Livy in English, available in five
volumes from Oxford World's Classics.
ABOUT THE
SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has
made available the widest range of literature from
around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects
Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most
accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features,
including expert introductions by leading authorities,
helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date
bibliographies for further study, and much more.
|
|