A Study On Livy's History

Ab Urbe Condita is a historical works written by ancient Roman historian Livy. It contains 142 books on the period from the legendary Rome to the death of Drusus in 9 BC, but only 35 books are extant. From ancient times to modern times, especially since 19th century, many researches have been done on Ab Urbe Condita by scholars, who have different standpoints and comments. To some, Livy is a compiler and he organized relative authorities into his History. To some, Livy is Augustan historian and he promoted the practice of the Princeps'religional and cultural policy. To some, Livy is a rhetor to please the readers. To others, Livy is a moral historian and Roman history is his lessons of moral-teaching. I hope to settle all these controversial opinions and make clear their true or false factors.I start my study from Roman historiographical tradition, because I evaluate Livy and his works not only on modern but on ancient standard. Historical authenticity, narrative artistry and historical instruction constitute the traditional features of Roman historiography. My study stands on original texts, from which we can understand Livy's morality, feel the beauty of his words, and analyse his merits and demerits as a historian. I base on book 21 of Ab Urbe Condita and modern research to discuss his historical methods, literary style and morality, and to explore the value of Livy's History as to the study of the Second Punic War.My dissertation is divided into six chapters: in chapter one, Livy's life, the content of his works and the relationship between Augustus and him are summarized. In chapter two, cause, course and end of the Second Punic War are narrated, and the narrative of Livy and other classical writers are compared. In chapter three, I pursue Roman historiographical tradition to explain the influence of the form of annales, narrative style, antiquarian interest and Cicero's historical theory on Livy's History. In chapter four, I expound that Polybius and Livy are the main sources of this war. Books 3-5 of Polybius's Histories are only about the history of 220-216 BC, so Livy's History is important. I analyse Livy's historical methods and attitude. In chapter five, I focuse on his literary style. By the analysis of Livy's writing style and rhetorical devices to illustrate that literary art influenced Livy's History. Chapter six is about Livy's views on fortune, religion and virtue.Study shows that three factors of historical narrative, literary style and moral aim were closely connected in Ab Urbe Condita. Only to study one of them is not enough. Ab Urbe Condita shows that Livy not only emphasized the authenticity of historical content but the artistry of narrative form, so he balanced between these two factors, on which he made a great achievement. His patriotism and morality impulsed him to glorify Roman ancestors, to stimulate the patriotism of the readers, and to persuade them to prevent from evil and conduct goodness. In general, Livy's historical view is to pursue truth, beauty and goodness.