Livy: The Early History of Rome, Books I-V (Penguin Classics). This item is unavailable.Livy: The Early History of Rome, Books I-V (Penguin Classics)

'I hope my passion for Rome's past has not impaired my judgement; for I do honestly believe that no country has ever been greater or purer than ours or richer in good citizens and noble deeds'

Livy dedicated most of his life to writing some 142 volumes of history, the first five of which comprise The Early History of Rome. With stylistic brilliance, he chronicles nearly 400 years from the founding of Rome to the Gallic invasion in 386 BC, an era that witnessed the establishment of the Republic, unrest and brutal conflict. Bringing compelling characters to life, and re-presenting familiar tales - including the tragedy of Coriolanus and the story of Romulus and Remus - The Early History is a truly epic work, and a passionate warning that a nation should learn from its history.

Translated by Aubrey DE Sélincourt with an Introduction by R. M. Ogilvie and a Preface by S. P. Oakley

Titus Livius (59BC-AD17) began working on his History of Rome at the age of 30 and continued for over 40 years until his death. The history ran to 142 books, of which 35 survive.


Aubrey de Sélincourt (1896-1962) translated Livy, Heroditus, and Arrian for Penguin Classics. Robert Ogilvie (1932-1981) taught classics and published widely on Roman writers, religion, and history.