Livy and Tacitus on Roman History: An Analytical Study

This assignment delves into the perspectives of two prominent Roman historians, Livy and Tacitus, on the history of Rome. The analysis begins by examining Livy's understanding of the place of history during his time, his purpose in writing, and his use of sources. It explores Livy's views on the value of the past and his notion of historical progression, including the origins of the Romans, the legend of Aeneas, and the founding of Rome. The assignment then moves to Tacitus, analyzing his descriptions of battles, the factors influencing their outcomes, and the presence of moral indignation in his narratives. Specific events such as the battle between the Horatii and Curiatii are also examined. The assignment highlights how Livy and Tacitus portray Roman history, their use of legends, and their critical engagement with the past, offering a comprehensive understanding of their contributions to the field of Roman history.

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Roman Historians
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Livy - Book 1
1. What seems to be the place of history at the time that Livy is writing in his History of Rome?
When Livy was writing the History of Rome, the place of history was during the reign of
Augustus. This period was between the 64 and the 59 B.C and A.D. 12 to 17 when Livy wrote
about the History of Rome. Augustus came into power after engaging in a civil war with consuls
a well as generals such as Pompey who claimed to be defending the Roman Republic. This is a
time in history whereby several civil wars took place in the Roman world. This was a time in
history when Rome had triumphed in war.
2. What is Livy's purpose in writing his history?
Livy’s most famous work is the History of Rome. In his works, Livy mainly focuses on
describing Rome’s history from the day it was founded up to the time Augustus died. Since
Livy’s writing mainly took place during the reign of Augustus, the history mainly emphasized
the great triumphs achieved by Rome. Livy wrote all these accounts on Roman heroism with the
aim of promoting a new type of government that was implemented by Emperor Augustus.
However, the primary purpose of writing history was to preserve the deeds as well as the
memory of the world’s most preeminent nation.
3. What are Livy's sources for the earliest times of the history of Rome and what is his reaction
to these sources?
Livy’s sources of history were mainly Greek and Roman books of history. Basically, Livy used
secondary sources to write the account of the History of Rome. For instance, in writing the
history of Rome, at first, he used the histories of Rome’s first historians that include Quintus

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Fabiu Pictor as well as Lucius Piso Frugi. However, to some extent, Livy’s sources are
questionable and this leads to the question, - how did he react to these sources? Livy is not
uncritical and in case he is not able to select between varying accounts, he informs the reader that
conflicting stories exist on the subject matter. Livy did not compare or criticize his sources.
4. What is the value of the past for the present according to Livy?
Livy and other historians account for the decline in morality. The argument was that individuals
do different things because that who they are. However, according to Livy, these beliefs are
based on passionate concern. Livy reflects on the importance of the past to the present by
considering history to be a representation of human personalities as well as representative
individuals. Reflecting the past, a person can assist a person to acknowledge the moral evils with
enhanced intensity. The past is valuable to the present in inculcating moral ideals.
5. What notion of historical progression does Livy Present?
Livy's notion of historical progression was to use history as a moray essay. To do this, he
connects the success of a nation to the nation’s high levels of morality, including the failure of
the nation due to the decline of its morals. According to Livy, in Rome, there was a moral
decline.
Book 1 (Section 1 to 8)
6. What is the origin of the Romans according to Livy? Recall the origin of Aeneas and the
foundation of Rome.
Livy elaborates on the origin of Romans using the Aeneid of Virgil. The story explains how
prince Aeneas came to Italy. Livy explains that individuals that had survived from the fallen city

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Troy came together under Aeneas. Reconciling the myth with the Italian myth of Remus and
Romulus, Aeneas was supported to have been sired Rhea Silvia and Mars of Hercules. Once they
became adults, Remus and Romulus killed Amulius.1 On restoring Numitor, they decided to
establish a city but quarrels led to the death of Remus. With this fratricide, Rome was formed,
and the story was later taken to represent Rome’s history.
7. How does Livy deal with legends? See, for instance, his discussion of the wolf saving
Romulus and Remus.
Livy, in the History of Rome, considers legends as symbols of Rome and the Roman people. The
she-wolf that rescued and cared for Romulus and Remus, Rome’s mythical twin founders, for
instance, is used as Rome’s symbol. Livy describes the statues that depict the she-world sucking
the twins. It is evident that Livy deals with legends by treating them as symbols of Rome.
Book 1 (Sections 1.22 to 1.26)
8. What is involved in the battle between Horatii and the Curiatii?
Curiatii were Alban while the Horatii were Romans. The war took place during Tullus Hostilius'
reign, involving Rome and Alba Longa. An agreement was reached that settling the dispute who
involves a fight to the death of Roma’s Horatii triplets and the Curiatii.
Book 3 (3.16 to 3.34)
1 Luce, the composition of his history, n.d.

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9. How well does Tacitus describe a battle?
Tacitus gives a clear account of a battle by detailing everything that was involved and what was
at stake. For instance, considering some of his explanations, he accounts for the total number of
cavalry that was on flanks, - 3000- and 8,000 at the center. Tacitus further explains the number
of reserved Roma soldiers. Tacitus' description of the battle is clear for everyone to understand
because he even gives an account of how the battle took place, how the attacks were formulated,
and the tactics used. In describing battles, Tacitus defines ethnic boundaries of both the Romans
and the barbarians. Inevitably, Tacitus portrays them in a different and stereotypic manner. For
instance, he states that the Romans love fighting in a firm and open terrain. However, he argues
that barbarians love fighting in forests and swamps.2 In addition, he elaborates that the barbarians
are grouped into battle formations while the barbarians are not. It is true to say that Tacitus gives
a succinct description of battle by explaining army conscriptions, reactions as a result of war, and
marches, including the moments before and after the battle.
10. What are the factors that explain the outcome of the battle?
In no specific order, the factors that affect the outcome of a battle include:
Weather- it has an adverse effect on visual range, including the accuracy of the weapons being
used Season- this comprises factors such as temperature, amount of water and food needed by
the soldiers among other factors.
Leadership- a troop with a culture of strong leadership can operate even under a severe situation
2 Lendon, Battle description in the ancient historians, 42.

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Motivation- the legitimacy of engaging in a battle has an impact on the outcome. If the troops are
motivated, they are likely to deliver positive results.
11. Are there indications of moral indignation in the description of events? Is there color?
In describing events, Tacitus expresses moral indignation. There is color in his battle narratives,
he constructs identities with the intention of satisfying the expectations of his audience or with
the intention of making the scenes more understandable. Such a construction is an indication
ethnocentrism plays a crucial role in Latin historiography, hence a revelation of Roman society’s
racial prejudice.
Bibliography

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Lendon, Jon E. "Battle description in the ancient historians, part I: structure, array, and
fighting." Greece & Rome 64, no. 1 (2017): 39-64.
Luce, Torrey James. Livy: the composition of his history. Vol. 5561. Princeton University Press,
2019.