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The Early History of Rome: Bks. 1-5 (Penguin Classics)
by: Livy

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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 945
EAN: 9780140448092
ISBN: 0140448098
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 528
Publication Date: March 28, 2002
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Studio: Penguin Classics
Sales Rank: 18036

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Mythic re-telling of the foundation of Rome
Other reviewers have dismissed this because of the 'inaccuracy' of the history, but the very idea of history in classical times was different from our definition: there was no strict divide between literature, history and (moral) philosophy and so we shouldn't judge ancient works by the same criteria that we might use of modern history books. Livy, writing under Augustus, was, like his contemporary Vergil, mythologising about the foundation of Rome, and his story of where the Romans came from and how the Roman character was formed, tells us more about Roman self-identity (or the way they wanted to see themselves) at the turning point between the Republic and the principate than about the past.

Having said that, Livy tells a fabulous ... Read More:

Rating:

- Irritatingly imprecise
Whatever its other merits, the Selincourt translation is not good from the standpoint of accuracy. Imagine my fury when, having spent part of my dwindling student's allowance on this book, I discovered it was of little or no use in helping me to read closely through the original text. I think 'paraphrase' might have been a better description than 'translation'. Steer clear, those of you looking for anything remotely resembling the Latin.

Rating:

- Livy: A Master of History
It doesn't matter that the books need to be taken with a pinch of salt, when the writing is this good! The tales of honour and betrayal against the vivid backdrop of the founding of ancient Rome are so much more exciting than any modern writing I've read lately. Mixing Thucydides' gift for battle scenes and politics, and Suetonius' gift for humour, Livy is a fantastic writer who deserves to be read.
The translation is smooth and energised, and the only crime is that many of Livy's 100+ books have been lost.

Rating:

- Review of 'The Early History of Rome'
Readers looking for a book on the subject the book describes will be disappointed with this. The introduction by a noted scholar quickly points out that the author's historical accuracy is very suspect and literally that the book should be taken with a pinch of salt in this respect. So what does that leave? Well allegedly Livy's style of writing 'Vividly brings to life' the early history of Rome (As he somewhat dubiously sees it) but to be honest his style of writing is extremely dull, 'This year we elected X and Y consul and had a mighty war then next year we elected...'. If you want to see how history was imaginatively written by ancient scholars then this book is fine. Otherwise I would suggest a more recent text on the subject.

Books : The Early History of Rome: Bks. 1-5 (Penguin Classics)