The History of Rome

The first ten books cover the legendary founding of Rome, including the landing of Aeneas in Italy and the founding of the city by Romulus. This is followed by the period of the kings, the early republic and its conquest by the Gauls in 390 BC, as well as the wars with the Aequi, Volsci, Etruscans, and Samnites, down to 292 BC. The History of Rome originally comprised 142 "books," thirty-five of which still exist in reasonably complete form today. Because Livy was writing under the reign of Augustus, Livy's history emphasizes the great triumphs of Rome. He wrote his history with embellished accounts of Roman heroism in order to promote the new type of government implemented by Augustus when he became emperor. This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.